For most of rudimental history the multiple bounce or buzz roll was antithetical to the practice of playing cleanly and clearly for signaling purposes. The great majority of rudimental systems from the middle ages to the present use(d) ONLY open double stroke rolls, so far as we can tell. Buzzing was sometimes referred to pejoratively as a “scratch roll” or intended only to be used for classical music, or perhaps jazz. There was a even a period in American drumming when some classical musicians attempted to use double strokes in an extremely closed manner for their classical rolling needs, never resorting to a multiple bounced stroke. Buzzing was not common, historically, and it is relatively uncommon even today. “Relatively” being the key word. Despite the majority opinion throughout time and geography, there are some rudimental systems and traditions that use buzzed strokes at times. A few traditions even use them preferentially over open double strokes. Below, I will list the eight traditions that I know to have used the multiple bounce or buzzed roll for rudimental playing and, if possible, a small bit of detail about how and when.

America:

While Americans are among the cultures who openly derided the notion of buzzed strokes at some points in history, the PAS 40 rudiments include the Multiple Bounce Roll at #4. As recently as the 1960s, American players either seldomly or never used buzzed strokes in rudimental playing. Over the past 50 or so years, this attitude has shifted and the technique can be found sprinkled throughout modern marching band and drum corps repertoire. It has never eclipsed the prominence of the open double stroke. It is merely an alternative texture that players now find acceptable.

Scotland/pipe band:

Pipe band originated in Scotland but is now played around the world in almost every country once affiliated with the British Empire (and some that were not). Originally, pipe band drumming was very similar to other types of rudimental drumming in its demand for open double strokes. This changed with the adoption of plastic heads and screw tuning systems in the middle of the 20th century. The first mentions of buzzed rolls appear in the literature around the 1950s, though it may have started slightly earlier. Today, pipe bands preferentially play buzzed rolls as the default with open doubles being used as the a textural alternative, in the opposite manner to the American style.

United Kingdom/Corps of Drums:

The British rudimental system was extremely similar to the American system for many years, because the American system began essentially as an extension of the British tradition. Perhaps because of the influence of pipe bands, many military bands in the UK, such as the bands of the Royal Marines, currently use buzzed rolls as their default style. The changeover from open doubles is hard to pinpoint, but it was likely within the past half century if not even more recently.

Mexico/Banda de Guerra (band of war):

Mexico’s endemic rudimental tradition began in the 19th century. It is unclear if they ever used open doubles as their primary rolling technique. Manuals and repertoire dating back as far as the 1930s appear to show buzzed rolls as the normal default technique, and no manual mentions open doubles at all, as far as I can tell. If there was a time when open doubles were used, it has long since been forgotten. It is entirely possible that the Mexican affinity for buzzing was in some way influential to dixieland and ragtime playing, which also uses many buzzed strokes.

Ivrea/Carnivale di Ivrea:

The drummers of Ivrea, Italy have been playing rudimental snare drum for their Carnivale for many hundreds of years. It is unknown whether or not they ever used open doubles, but similarly to the Mexicans, it seems as though all rolls and ruffs are buzzed. Potentially, this has been the case quite a long time. No mention of open doubles can be found in the limited literature on the subject.

Bajo Aragón:

In the drumming of this Spanish region, open doubles appear in the normal drumming repertoire and it seems that the standard rudimental open double is used preferentially. There is, however, a term for closed or buzzed rolls, Los Rufaos, which indicates that they may use them on occasion.

Valencia:

In Valencia, Spain, the terms, Rebot, Repiqueo, or Repic refer to buzzed strokes. When alternated in the manner of a multiple bounce roll they are sometimes known as a Multirebot. These buzzed strokes can also begin with a Flam, much like an American Hybrid Fuzz. This Valencian Fuzz is called a Tra. It appears that open doubles are also sometimes used, but buzzes are clearly indicated in the didactic literature.

Galicia/gaita y tambor (pipe and drum):

The Galicians, in the northwest of Spain, have their own pipe band tradition that is actually somewhat like that of Scotland, though seemingly quite separate and generally unrelated. Similarly to the Scottish pipe band drummers, the buzzed roll is greatly preferred over the open double, though they do have an open 5 stroke roll. This roll is categorized as a long ruff, indicated with grace notes, but is clearly played with open double strokes. So, just like the other more famous pipe band tradition, Galicians use both types of roll, but the default standard is buzzed. As of yet, I have no timeline for when or if this may have evolved over time, or if this was the case forever. More research is needed.

Although the buzz roll seems un-rudimental to many drummers, it is clearly a feature of several rudimental drumming systems (to a lesser or greater degree). It appears that rudimental drumming has actually become buzzier over time. We are trending toward less strictly double stroked rolls in many places. Whether this is good or bad is a matter of opinion, but it is clearly happening. If more traditions are discovered that used buzzed rolls this list will be updated. If you happen to know of any, please contact me, I am always interested in learning.