The Drag

What is a drag in drumming? It’s a simple rudiment that adds feel, texture, and creativity to your playing. If you’ve ever wanted to make your grooves or fills more expressive, learning the drag is a great place to start.

A drag consists of two grace notes followed by a primary stroke. It’s similar to a flam but with two quick notes leading into the main hit instead of one. This rudiment is often played quickly and quietly, giving your drumming a smooth, flowing quality.

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This is what a drag in drumming looks like written in drum music. R = Right hand L = Left hand. Once mastered, the drag opens the door to dozens of other rudiments and can be applied across different styles—from jazz to rock to funk.

The Structure of a Drag

The basic drag is made up of three notes:

Two low-volume grace notes played with the same hand

One louder, accented main stroke played with the opposite hand

For example, if you play two quiet strokes with your left hand...