The ten stroke roll is a drum rudiment that is quite similar to the six stroke roll. Both rudiments combine alternating singles and doubles. The key difference between the two is the number of times that the double strokes are to be alternated. Watch the video lesson to see exactly how this drum rudiment is played. Here is how it looks when written out in standard notation:
As you can see above, this rudiment starts with four groups of alternating double strokes. Then, one group of alternating singles at half the tempo. You can lead into it with either hand, but be sure you lead into the single strokes with the same hand that you use to start the entire rudiment.
Here is a fairly complex drum beat that incorporates the ten stroke roll:
This exercise is a drum fill that makes use of the ten stroke roll drum rudiment:
If you are have any trouble with this rudiment, be sure you review the six stroke roll. If you've already learned the ten stroke roll, you can move on to the eleven stroke roll and the thirteen stroke roll.
Learn how to play all 40 drum rudiments with the Drumming System by Mike Michalkow!