Flams & Drags
Two small grace notes are all it takes to turn a plain stroke into something thicker, heavier, and more accented.
The flam: one grace note
A flam adds a single, quieter grace-note stroke from one hand played just before the main stroke of the other hand. Play them close enough together and they blend into one thick, accented sound rather than two separate hits — that near-overlap is exactly what gives a flam its weight.
The drag: two grace notes
A drag (sometimes called a "ruff") adds two quick, quiet grace notes — typically a soft double-stroke bounce from one hand — just before the main stroke. It has a slightly fuller, brushier lead-in than a flam before landing on the same kind of accented main hit.
Pick one above to see and hear its grace notes.
Common questions
What is a flam?
A quiet grace-note stroke played just before the main stroke of the other hand, blending into one thick, accented sound.
What is a drag?
Two quick, quiet grace notes played just before the main stroke, giving a fuller lead-in than a flam.
How far apart should the grace note and main stroke be in a flam?
Close enough to feel like one gesture — usually a matter of milliseconds, adjusted by ear and style.
Why use flams and drags at all?
They add texture, weight, and accent to a stroke without changing the underlying rhythm.
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