A roll with two exits instead of one.
The Rudiment
The ten stroke roll varies the pattern of its neighbors by ending in two accented singles rather than one. A run of double strokes rolls forward and then releases into a pair of accented taps, giving the figure a distinctive two-note tail that sets it apart from the single-accent rolls around it. That double ending makes it a versatile connector, especially when the two accents are placed on different drums.
Sticking
The common sticking is four doubles followed by two alternating accented singles — ten strokes: RRLL RRLL R L, with accents on the final two notes, then reversed as LLRR LLRR L R. The eight rolled notes stay even and low; the roll opens up into two full accented strokes that alternate hands to close the figure. Accent placement can vary in some traditions, but the two-single tail is the defining feature.
How to Play
Play the diddles tight and even, then release into two full, matched accented strokes — the key is that both accents ring at equal volume and land squarely in time. Because it ends on alternating hands, the ten stroke roll flows well into whatever follows, and the two accents invite orchestration around the kit. Keep the transition from the last diddle into the first accent smooth so the tail does not rush.
In Practice
The ten stroke roll appears in rudimental solos and cadences and works nicely on the kit where a roll needs to resolve into two placed hits. It sits between the Nine Stroke Roll and the Eleven Stroke Roll, sharing their double-stroke foundation but with its own two-accent signature.