Triplet Strokes RRR LLL

I thought I would contribute my own "rudiment of the moment" today inspired by Ted Warren's fine work over at his blog Trap'd.

Today's lesson features a rudiment that is often overlooked and underused - the triplet stroke roll. Here are a few exercises and applications that I've found to be very useful.

1) First of all, spend some time on the drum pad or snare drum and remind yourself of the three stroke roll:

RRR LLL RRR LLL RRR LLL RRR LLL etc.

This is a great rudiment to develop and control your rebound. Here's a hint: this rudiment is easier to play if you bring your stick back high enough to start with and, hence, give your stick enough room to bounce.


2) The next application is what is known in drum corps circles as an "Egg Beater" hybrid rudiment:


RRRLL RRRLL RRRLL RRRLL


LLLRR LLLRR LLLRR LLLRR


Played in groups of five tuplets, this pattern is actually a combination of both triplet and double strokes. I've heard Jack DeJohnette use this pattern from time to time.


*The next few applications of the triplet stroke roll are inspired by Joe Morello's use of "Stick Control":

1) Here is the three stroke roll in a paradiddle type of alternating hand arrangement:


RRR LLL RLL RRR LLL RRR LRR LLL


2) And here organized as a double paradiddle:


RRR LLL RRR LLL RLL RRR

LLL RRR LLL RRR LRR LLL


3) As an extended triplet paradiddle:


RRR LLL RRR LLL RRR LLL RLL RRR

LLL RRR LLL RRR LLL RRR LRR LLL


5) And finally as a paradiddlediddle:


RRR LLL RLL RRR LRR LLL

LLL RRR LRR LLL RLL RRR


*All these patterns should be play as continuous sixteenth note triplets with no break. These are real chop busters and force you to really get your rebound together!