The Single Stroke System: Part 1

Since I began teaching drums, I've found the majority of drum students are very comfortable playing alternating single strokes in a steady 8th or 16th note rhythm. However, when they try to play broken (non-constant) or syncopated rhythms, many students use awkward stickings that interrupt their rhythmic flow and have a very negative effect on their time. Sometimes, I can clearly see students freezing up, while consciously thinking about which hand to use next. These problems exist because, despite studying the rudiments, most beginner students haven't developed a practical sticking system for use on the drum set.

From the beginning stages of drumming, I never really gave much thought to the stickings I used on the drum set; I just played what I heard in my head. I mainly used alternating single stroke stickings because they came most naturally to me. Little did I know that, as a 10 year old beginner, I had begun to develop a basic sticking system that I would use and teach from that point forward.

I call the system I use and teach the "Single Stroke System" and this lesson is excerpted from an instructional book I'm currently writing on the subject. I don't claim to have invented this system; the Single Stroke System is widely used (and often self-taught) by rock drummers and can provide any drummer with a natural, practical, basic sticking system that allows them to play without thinking about stickings. In this lesson, I will explain the basics of the Single Stroke System and offer some stickings for you to practice. On to the lesson!

Getting Started with the Single Stroke System

Fig. 1 (Left handed players should reverse suggested stickings.)

Count out loud as: "1 E & A 2 E & A 3 E & A 4 E & A"

Set your metronome to 60 BPM and play a constant 16th note rhythm in 4/4, using alternating single strokes (as illustrated in Fig.1, above).

Notice: The leading (primary) hand plays all downbeats (1,2,3 and 4) and upbeats (the "&"s of each beat). The other (secondary) hand plays the "e"s and "a"s of each beat. These simple sticking "rules" form the basis of the Single Stroke System.

Recommended Practice Method

Play each of the rhythms below along with your metronome (starting at 60 bpm), while counting out loud and paying strict attention to the suggested stickings. While counting out loud, I recommend that you count the notes in parenthesis as a whisper. This helps to reinforce the fact that you shouldn't play those notes and that, according to the Single Stroke System, you are to skip the hand that would have played those notes.

Repeat each of the rhythms until you can play them without thinking about the sticking. Then, gradually increase the tempo and repeat. As you become comfortable with each phrase, reverse the sticking and practice leading with the secondary hand. Before long, these stickings will occur naturally in your playing.

The Single Stroke System applied to broken 16th note rhythms

Fig. 2

Count as: "1 (E) & A 2 (E) & A 3 (E) & A 4 (E) & A"
The left hand is skipped on the "E" of each beat.

Fig. 3

Count as: "1 E & (A) 2 E & (A) 3 E & (A) 4 E & (A)"
The left hand is skipped on the "A" of each beat.

Fig. 4

Count as: "1 E (&) A 2 E (&) A 3 E (&) A 4 E (&) A"
The right hand is skipped on the "&"s of each beat.

Fig. 5

Count as: "(1) E & A (2) E & A (3) E & A (4) E & A"
The right hand is skipped on beats "1, 2, 3, and 4".

Fig. 6

Count as: "1 E (& A) 2 E (& A) 3 E (& A) 4 E (& A)"
The right hand is skipped on the "&"s of each beat.
The left hand is skipped on the "A"s of each beat.

Fig. 7

Count as: "(1) E & (A) (2) E & (A) (3) E & (A) (4) E & (A)"
The right hand is skipped on beats "1, 2, 3, and 4".
The left hand is skipped on the "A"s of each beat.

Fig. 8

Count as: "(1 E) & A (2 E) & A (3 E) & A (4 E) & A"
The right hand is skipped on the "1, 2, 3, and 4".
The left hand is skipped on the "E" of each beat.

Summary

I hope you reap the benefits of the Single Stroke System, as my students and I have. These stickings can be used in beats, fills, and solos, and they are designed to help you play the drums in a natural, efficient way without thinking. Once you free your mind of conscious thought regarding stickings, you will be able to tap into your own personal creativity and improvise freely.

Try to learn the overall concept of the "Single Stroke System" and apply it to anything you feel could benefit from it. Stay tuned for "The Single Stroke System, Part 2: Creative Accenting". Also, keep an eye out for my upcoming self-published book on the Single Stroke System, which will be available in my Online Store, hopefully sometime in 2005. Best of luck to you!