| In drumming, a gravity roll is performed by resting the shaft of the drumstick on the rim of the snare drum, while holding the butt. The hand is moved up and down, causing the head of the stick to strike the drum's head once per stroke and the shaft of the drumstick will strike the rim of the drum on the way down (similar to a seesaw). The gravity roll can also be extended into a gravity blast, where bass drum and cymbals are added to make a blast beat. Some drummers think that the gravity blast is a very advanced technique, but it is actually quite simple to learn. Once the basic technique is mastered, speed can gradually be developed until it sounds like a full speed blast beat. Currently there are at least three instructional videos on the market that cover the unique method. They are "The One Handed Drum Roll Training Pack" by Jared Falk and "Extreme Metal Drumming 101" by Flo Mounier, and a various drum techniques video by Johhny Rabb. When implemented in death metal the gravity roll is applied as 16th notes to the snare - typically with the right hand - and the left hand plays 8th notes on the hi-hat. The feet usually divide the beat as 16th notes, essentially matching the strokes of the right hand. In other words, the right hand is playing the same speed as the feet with the left hand keeping time with 8th notes on the hi-hats. Although its origin is unknown, this technique is believed to have been used by jazz drummers such as Buddy Rich in the past. Today, this technique is often found in heavy metal music and some forms of punk rock. Some bands that use this technique include Kataklysm, Despised Icon, Origin, Internal Suffering, Beneath the Massacre, Psycroptic, All Shall Perish, Cryptopsy, Brain Drill, and Brodequin. |
Gravity Roll Practice Gravity blast by Ben Kelly |
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