5. Buzz Rolls

Summary

Buzz rolls can add to the range of musical effects you can utilize in your composition. There is technique specific to producing a quality buzz roll, and this exercise assist with that.

Description

This exercise is a simple pyramid exercise to develop buzz rolls. We focus on creating buzz sounds with specific hands before we start alternating hand motion to connect the buzz sounds together into a seamless, sustained roll.

Purpose

The method for playing buzz rolls for marching percussion is rather unique in that it’s an arm-heavy motion with a modified technique.

• Fulcrum and Grip: Our thumb and index fingers will require a stronger pinch. For matched grip, the middle fingers will remain hooked under the stick, but with more rigidity — their distance from the stick will help control the duration of the buzz sound. The back fingers will maintain contact on the stick without pressure. Never let the back fingers hang off of the stick!  For traditional grip, you’ll pinch the index finger into the thumb harder — your ring finger, in conjunction with arm motion, can help with the duration of the buzz sound.
• Arm Movement: Buzz roles are primarily driven by arm motion with a locked wrist.

As each buzz is played, begin by trying to achieve a buzz duration of half the note value. For example, if you’re playing quarter notes, try to make the buzz sound last for at least an eighth note at that tempo. The beats of the buzz sound should be as consistent as possible in spacing (that is, you don’t want a few strong taps that morph into a buzz).

As you move from quarter notes to eight notes to 16th notes, have the performers strive to have the buzz sounds on each hand as equal in volume and duration as possible, and to work on smoothly connect the buzz sounds with minimal pulsing.

Note, that due to the nature and tuning of todays marching drums, it is very difficult to get a smoothly executed buzz roll like you can on a concert snare. As your line practices, keep this in mind as you measure achievement.

The exercise is performed on a loop, with a 4 beat tap off between each rep.

Considerations

Buzz rolls are very easy to crush or make too open. The ultimate goal is produce a consistent, even buzz sound from hand-to-hand while minimizing detectable pulsing.

Here are things you want to consider while running this exercise:

1. Wrist Motion: Buzz rolls are a primarily an arm driven rudiment. Students may tend to incorporate wrist, which can increase pulsing, especially at louder dynamic levels.
2. Quality of Sound: Start off teaching this exercise at mezzo piano (6″) to get the students used to generating a consistent buzz sound with moderate pressure. As you see achievement in this area, you can run this exercise at different dynamic levels — just bear in mind that buzzes played at higher dynamic levels will be more prone to pulsing.
3. Connection: Connecting the buzz sounds as you transition between right and left hands should be the priority. Use the above two items to help troubleshoot this exercise.