Double Stroke Roll — Metal Drumming Technique | MetalForge
Learn double stroke roll in metal drumming: The double stroke roll - also called the "long roll" - alternates two controlled strokes per hand (RRLL RRLL...),...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Double Stroke Roll?
The double stroke roll - also called the "long roll" - alternates two controlled strokes per hand (RRLL RRLL...), with the second stroke of each pair generated from a bounce or rebound rather than a fresh muscular hit. It sits directly between the single stroke roll and the buzz roll in rudimental vocabulary: more controlled and articulate than a buzz roll's multiple uncounted bounces, but denser and faster than pure single strokes allow at a given arm speed. Because each hand only needs to initiate one motion per two notes, the double stroke roll is a foundational speed-building tool - drummers who master the bounced second stroke can sustain far higher note density with far less physical effort than those relying on individually struck notes.
How fast are double stroke rolls played?
Double Stroke Roll is typically played around Any.
Who is the best double stroke roll drummer?
Mike Mangini (Dream Theater) is among the most cited Double Stroke Roll drummers, alongside Gavin Harrison. See the full list on MetalForge.
What are the different types of double stroke rolls?
Double Stroke Roll has 4 main variations: Open Double Stroke Roll (Slow, fully articulated RRLL strokes with clear separation between each note); Closed (Long) Roll (Fast, tightly bounced double strokes blending into a sustained roll sound); Five/Six/Seven Stroke Roll (Double-stroke-based roll rudiments capped with a single accented stroke); Double Stroke to Buzz Roll (Progressively adding bounce pressure to turn controlled doubles into a multiple-bounce buzz roll).