How can double-stroke (RRLLRRLL) rolls be faster than single-strokes (RLRLRLRL)? If someone can hit 2 notes with the same hand, surely they'll get faster if they intertwine this with the other hand after the first note is played..?
I'm a beginner drummer, and I've just measured that I can do 16th note doubles at around 100 bpm, starting to lose track at around 110; while if I do alternating strokes (what I understand by "single") I can easily get to 160 bpm and slightly beyond. Obviously I haven't practised doubles much, but I just don't seem to grasp how with this huge bpm gap can doubles ever exceed singles :-O
For reference, for instance this guide seems to claim that doubles are faster:
The double stroke has a couple practical uses.
Playing faster than you can with a single stroke roll. Using the efficiency of the push-pull, you can use doubles to outperform your singles when the going gets too fast.
I'm not 100% sure I'm doing all the push-pull correctly, but my wrists feel relaxed, I'm definitely using the bounce of the stick from the drum / pad and it just seems impossible to go much faster for me right now, especially not being able to alternate the hands while striking.
What speeds can you guys get to with single and double strokes?