Free Drum Lessons
Advertisement

Six Stroke Roll

TIP: For more drum rudiments, check out the Drum Rudiment System.

Windows Media Player Quicktime & iPod Adobe PDF Sheet Music Drum Notation Chart Discuss This Video Facebook Twitter YouTube

Learn How To Play The Six Stroke Roll

The six stroke roll is a fun rudiment that is a hybrid of the single and double stroke rolls. It starts with two double strokes, then ads two single strokes at half the tempo, and then repeats with the alternate hand leading into the entire pattern. The change from doubles to singles really breaks things up and makes the pattern great for fills around the toms. Here is the basic pattern on the snare drum:

1
Six Stroke Roll #1

As you can see above, the pattern moves from sixteenth notes to eighth notes. The rudiment itself doesn't have to be played with these sub-divisions, but it helps to understand that the singles are to be played at half the tempo of the doubles. You can watch the video lesson on this page to see exactly how the six stroke roll looks and sounds when played on the snare drum.

Six Stroke Roll - Drum Set Exercises

Here is a drum beat that incorporates the six stroke roll:

2
Six Stroke Roll #2

Exercise three uses the six stroke roll within a drum fill:

3
Six Stroke Roll #3

Done with this lesson?
You can move on to the seven stroke roll or the nine stroke roll.

Fill out the form below for free instant access to exclusive bonus video lessons that teach hi-hat tricks, drum beats, drum fills, syncopation, practice tips, soloing ideas, gigging advice, and more!

Name:

Email:

Here Is What Drummers Are Saying
About The Exclusive Secret Lessons...

Dan B: Hey Jared, I just wanted to thank you for putting together the entire free drum lessons website. I love the secret lessons as they really push my creativity. The x-fill is my favorite soloing pattern now...

Robert S: ... anyway I would like to pass on my feedback to whoever is behind the secret lessons. I can't imagine why you would provide this amazing service, but I beg you not to stop! I look forward to each and every video that comes my way!

Kevin T: How did you get all these drummers to create these video lessons for free? I love this stuff and I hope you continue to create more of the secret lessons... the secret videos are far and away the best stuff on the website even though I love the normal stuff too!

Marty W: Feel free to post this on your website. I just wanted to tell you and anyone else out there how much I enjoy the secret drum lessons. I don't normally bother to send feedback about a website, but this is obviously very much deserved. I've been a secret subscriber for nearly two months and am still trying to figure out if there is a catch to all these wonderful lessons. They are just too awesome!

Dave E: I can't believe you are giving these secret lessons away for free. As a business student, I think these would make a great pay-service. I don't know why I am suggesting you make me pay... I guess I just can't believe anyone would do this for free. Thank you for helping poor student drummers like me.

Get FREE Access To The Secret Lessons
By Filling Out The Short Form Above!

Facebook