FLAM

Flam is a fundamental percussion rudiment used to create a quick, two-note attack. It consists of a grace note, often called the flam note, played immediately before the main note. The two notes are executed in rapid succession, producing a single expressive gesture.

Notation and timing: In standard drum notation, the flam is written as a small grace note preceding a regular note. The grace note is played slightly before the main note, with the offset typically ranging from about one third to one half of the main note’s value, depending on tempo and style.

Technique and execution: The stick strikes the grace note first, then the main note, with the main note usually louder. On a drum, the two hits occur on the same surface or nearby surfaces, and the timing between them creates the flam’s characteristic flame-like onset. The wrists and fingers control the timing, while the elbow helps maintain consistent rhythm.

Applications and variants: Flams are common in snare drum and drum set playing, as well as marching percussion, and appear in many rudimentary patterns such as flam accents and flam taps. They serve as a building block for more complex figures and add expressive variety by introducing a softer lead-in before a stronger beat.

Notes: The flam is used across various genres and remains a basic tool in percussion pedagogy, valued for its simplicity and its role in shaping dynamic contrast and rhythmic texture.