Single Stroke 4 | 4X Per Side | Explanation

Let's get into the Single Stroke 4.

The essence of this rudiment is truly just alternating in a grouping of:

R L R L or L R L R

Conceptually this is not that difficult, but like the Single Stroke Roll, the focus is in the technique, with the addition of a new rhythm

Here's what you should focus on:

Take a listen. This grouping of four notes is not just even 16th notes. Instead it's a 8th note triplet followed by a quarter note. Again, this is easiest to just listen to. That said, you can always download the attach pdf drum notation, to get a better look.

Keep your rhythm even, and listen for the spacing between the groupings of four. Again, without getting into too much music theory, listen for the spacing. This is best to do while playing along with the video.

Beats and Fills in this course.

The drum beats and fills in this course are meant to give you a basic but very useable way to apply your Single Stroke 4 rudiment. 

Remember that these beats are repeated so you can practice along. In a real musical setting, you would more likely pepper these ideas in, rather than repeating them over and over like we do for practice.

We also give these drum beats to you in the context of an 8th note rock beat. We do this so it's easier, as a beginning drummer, to focus on the Single Stroke Four. As you advance and become more comfortable, add this idea into other beats that you learn.

For the drum fills, focus on your elbow movements. This is a great thing to watch for in the videos. Make sure that as you move across the drums, that your arms are sweeping, just like you would use a broom. It's easy to make stiff fixed motions, so watch out for that.

Good luck, and practice hard!