Single Stroke Roll — Metal Drumming Technique | MetalForge
Learn single stroke roll in metal drumming: The single stroke roll is the simplest and most fundamental of all drumming rudiments: a continuous alternation b...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Single Stroke Roll?
The single stroke roll is the simplest and most fundamental of all drumming rudiments: a continuous alternation between the right and left hand (RLRL...), with each stroke struck individually rather than bounced or combined with the opposite hand. It carries no trick of leverage or rebound to hide behind - every note is a fresh, deliberate stroke - which is exactly why it is the first rudiment every drummer learns and the last one many spend a lifetime refining for speed and evenness. In metal drumming, the single stroke roll is not merely a beginner exercise; it is the literal technical foundation underneath blast beats, one-handed rolls, and gravity blasts, all of which are built from single-stroke motion applied at higher tempos, split across limbs, or assisted by rebound tricks that let one hand fake the density of two.
How fast are single stroke rolls played?
Single Stroke Roll is typically played around Any.
Who is the best single stroke roll drummer?
Pete Sandoval (Morbid Angel) is among the most cited Single Stroke Roll drummers, alongside George Kollias, Mike Mangini. See the full list on MetalForge.
What are the different types of single stroke rolls?
Single Stroke Roll has 4 main variations: Open Single Stroke Roll (Slow, fully controlled alternating strokes used for building foundational evenness); Closed (Speed) Single Stroke Roll (Tight, high-speed alternating strokes pushed toward maximum sustainable tempo); Single Stroke Four/Seven (Single-stroke pattern grouped into fours or sevens for accent and phrasing practice); Hand-to-Foot Single Strokes (Alternating strokes split between a hand and a foot, the building block of blast beat technique).