How To Perform A Flam
Another essential drum rudiment that you must have in your “drumming toolbox” is The Flam. This rudiment can easily be added to 95% of your beats or fills. The concept behind it is very simple and you should be able to pick it up fairly easily. Just like all the other drum rudiments, it is important to start slow and once you have mastered it at a slow tempo (with a metronome) then it will be time to start speeding it up, and applying it to your drum set.
Before we get started it is important to point out that you must first start with proper stick grip, I cannot express how important this is. With this rudiment it doesn’t matter at all if you are using match grip or traditional grip.
The Flam
Now the basic pattern for a flam is this: rL rL rL rL or lR lR lR lR. The lower case R and L represent a quieter sound. The only way that you are going to be able to achieve this quieter sound is by lowering the drumstick. So if you are doing the first example rL rL rL rL, your right hand should be 3-4 inches below your left hand. Bring them both down to the drum now and the right hand just hit the drum just before the left stroke. It the first stroke is almost foreshadowing the fact that a bigger stroke is coming.
It is essential that you practice both variations of this technique, leading with the right and and leading with your left hand. You will find this fairly easy to add into your beats and fills.
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