ROLL ABBREVIATIONS

Roll abbreviations can often be ambiguous. Rudimental rolls are assigned a specific number of strokes ending with an accented single stroke. Untied rolls do not end with an accent, and like tied rolls, they can release from either hand. An untied roll intends to complement the phrasing of other voices or instruments in a composition. There are no arbitrary restrictions on the duration of a musical idea or when and how it must end. Composers and performers make those interpretations.

It may be useful to think of untied rolls as having a “timed-release” rather than an “ending.” An untied roll characteristic is an audible gap between the roll’s release and the next note’s beginning.

The default solution is to release the untied roll on the last upbeat before the next downbeat—a safe call most times but not every time.

The release count of an untied roll depends on the tempo, meter, and pulse count. Does the roll require an even-duple pulse feel or a swinging, triple pulse feel?

Another important consideration is if the roll will be “pressed” or “open.” Moreover, if open, how close or wide is the interval between open double strokes? Consider all contributing factors within context to musical phrasing—the roll releases when the phrase completes, not before and not after.

An obvious way to side-step all questions about the duration and release of a roll in written music is to not use roll abbreviations at all. Composers could write every roll beat-by-beat. If that is what you are waiting for, then dream-on. Roll abbreviations are here to stay. Practice the possible ways that rolls can resolve, but most of all, LISTEN. Ultimately musicians must rely on their ears to make the proper interpretation. 

Play the music, not just the drum. The drum is an instrument for rhythmic musical expression. Think of the sound needed to compliment the music FIRST, then consider which techniques will achieve that.

The following examples of abbreviated whole note rolls illustrate the literal “gray area” that could end an untied roll.

In these examples, there is no difference in the way the untied rolls are abbreviated. Nevertheless, depending on musical context, an untied roll can be interpreted to release at different counts. A musical phrase takes as long as it takes, and the roll must reflect that.

There is no musical symbol to distinguish an abbreviated duple pulse roll from an abbreviated triple pulse roll. The time signature is the first clue, but it is not always the final answer.

Determining which roll type to play when the notation is abbreviated is the Drummer’s responsibility to interpret.

Tempo, dynamics, and listening are the ultimate judge of which roll FEEL is correct.

An important detail to look for in abbreviated roll notation is the number of cuts (slash marks) above or below the note head: three cuts (counting beams) means that the roll is 32nd notes and two cuts represent 16th notes.

Some composers notate all roll abbreviations with three cuts. The number of counts the roll sustains is correctly specified, but the cut marks indicate only that “some kind of a roll.” is to be played. It is left to the Drummer to interpret the pulse, roll rapidity, and playing technique.

An abbreviated roll may represent press strokes, double strokes, or single strokes. For example, tympani and snare drum roll abbreviations are the same, but tympani rolls are always single strokes.