In Joe Morello’s book Master Studies, he details different techniques to develop control on the drums. These exercises develop technique, control, and will help you develop different vocabulary from the different sounds we can produce with our hands. Last month we saw some exercises on eighth notes with buzz rolls. This month requires the same techniques, but is done with triplets. Buzz notes are not only about developing a good drum roll (buzz roll or long roll.) It is about using the sound of buzz strokes within your ideas to create new sounds and vocabulary. A few drummers who make great use of this sound are Roy Haynes, Ian Paice, Jimmy Chamberlin, Bill Stewart, among many others. Going from single strokes to buzz (multiple rebound) strokes requires a different pressure, which is controlled primarily with the fingers. The important thing to remember here is that “pressure” does not mean “rigidity” […]

July 2024 Issue