Drum Sweeps

Sweeping is a fairly simple concept. Sweeping is to move from one surface to another in the same down stroke. Sweeping will involve using a double stroke technique.

Visualize that sweeping is like a broom, moving across a floor surface from point A to point B. On the drum set, sweeping will involve using a double stroke to move across the drum set from one playing surface (drum head, cymbal, and percussion) to another playable surface.

Example 1

The left hand and right hand are both playing double strokes. The left hand plays doubles on the snare, and the right hand will play double strokes split between the floor tom and the snare drum.

Develop a slow-steady rhythm when practicing the sweep technique. Keep all of the double strokes clean and even. When first learning this technique, exaggerate the sweep hits on the surfaces by keeping the up-stroke high, once progressing in the sweep technique and picking up tempo the up stroke of the sweeping hand will become less dramatic and naturally become lower towards the playing surface.

Tip: Be careful not to just sweep in a sideways motion, it is important to get a complete down stroke hit on each playing surface. Once comfortable with the motion of the sweep, increase the tempo.

Once comfortable with the Sweep technique, incorporate the pattern into a fill from a basic rock beat.

Continue on: Drum Sweeps 2