I recently told you about the Single Stroke and the Double Stroke Roll, so it’s time to talk about the third most important drum rudiment, the Paradiddle.
Well, the Single Paradiddle, to be exact. This rudiment will widen your horizon and will improve your drumming, no matter if you’re playing in a Marching Band or Heavy Metal Army.
Para… what?
While the Single Strokes and Double Strokes are relative linear rolls, the Paradiddle is more a melodically drum figure. Of course it is a linear roll as well, it has a beginning and an end that fit perfectly, so you can play it as a continuing loop; but the sound is very special:
It goes like this: PaRaDiddle!
Let me translate this funny word: Single (Pa), Single (Ra), Double (Diddle) and so on…
This is how the Single Paradiddle works
Just imagine the Paradiddle as a combination of a Single- and a Double Stroke. That’s exactly what it is.
So you learned the Single Stroke, the Double Stroke as well, and now you will just combine these two rudiments. Look:
R – L – R – R
Wow, it’s clear to see that we have 2 singles and 1 double, four strokes in total: Paradiddle. Okay, but this is only the first half of the figure. For the second half just mirror the figure from above to get:
L – R – L – L
Great, now you can play both halves together and you will play the Single Paradiddle! Start very slowly: R – L – R – R – L – R – L – L –
Repeat this on and on but pay attention not to make any breaks between the halves! Not in the middle and not at the end when it jumps back to the first stroke! It has to flow like the Single- and Double Strokes; don’t break, don’t shufflize, don’t speed up, don’t accentuate anything.
First you have to learn to play it nice and gentle… then you will add all the dynamics and orchestrations.
Why is it called Single Paradiddle?
This RLRRLRLL Figure is just the first one, the mother of many further Paradiddles. There are also Double Paradiddles, Inverted Paradiddles and even Paradiddlediddles out there! Unbelievable…
So start practicing now therewith you can say hello to the other family members soon.
There is much more to tell you about the Single Paradiddle, but let’s check it out in (some) separate posts. Start playing now and never forget: RLRRLRLLRLRRLRLL… …
Good lesson! Keep em’ coming!