Best Buzz Roll Drummers — Who Plays It | MetalForge
Discover which pro metal drummers use buzz roll. Gear setups, videos, and tutorials for buzz roll players.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Buzz Roll?
The buzz roll - also called the multiple-bounce roll or press roll - is produced by pressing the stick into the head just enough that it bounces several times per stroke instead of once, creating a sustained, blurred "buzz" of sound rather than distinct individual hits. It is one of the Percussive Arts Society's 40 essential rudiments and the foundation of concert snare and drum corps roll vocabulary, used to sustain volume and tension across a held note the same way a bowed string instrument sustains a note. In metal drumming, buzz rolls show up less as a groove element and more as a texture and dynamics tool - a crescendo into a fill, a sustained wash under a cymbal swell, or a dramatic build leading into a breakdown or blast section.
How fast are buzz rolls played?
Buzz Roll is typically played around Any.
Who is the best buzz roll drummer?
Mike Mangini (Dream Theater) is among the most cited Buzz Roll drummers, alongside Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree / King Crimson).
What gear do you need for Buzz Roll?
The gear requirements for Buzz Roll vary by drummer. Browse MetalForge for complete kit specs from pros who use this technique.