The single paradiddle is a drum rudiment often used in jazz drumming and is highly popular in marching bands as well.  It’s versatility makes it a drummers staple and it’s part of every serious drummers repertoire. Learn how to execute it the correct way and take your drumming skills to a higher level.

The Single Paradiddle

Becoming a full-fledged drummer requires that you learn, practice, and master the forty drum rudiments. The paradiddle is a drum staple and is a part of every successful drummer’s repertoire.

Before jumping into the single paradiddle I recommend learning your single and double rolls first.  This will help you learn the single paradiddle much faster. For a lot of beginners, this rudiment will initially feel awkward to play. But this is exactly why it is unique from other rudiments.

It’s one of the more challenging rudiments learn, or at least to the point that you can execute it quickly and seamlessly.  But, the moment you finally get this move down, your drumming will have entered a whole new dimension.

You’ll be able to incorporate it in to all sorts of new solos, beats and grooves. Simply practicing it will greatly improve your stick independence too. No other drum rudiment can do that for you.

Execution

The single paradiddlecombines the single and double stroke roll into one rudiment. Some find it awkward at first and that’s probably because you have to play 8 strokes before the pattern is repeated.

The sticking itself is easy. RLRR-LRLL-RLRR-LRLL.

Count like this as you do it.

One and two and three and four and

Or, 1 e and ah 2 e and ah

The breakdown of the sticking follows this pattern:

RL – Singles  RR – Double   LR – Singles  LL – Double

The pattern is a combination of basic sticking but the importance of knowing your singles and doubles becomes apparent real quick once you start to speed up the strokes.

As with all of your rudiments, in order to perform it fast you must first practice and learn it slow.  Of course maintaining proper grip, staying flexible and applying  the appropriate stick to drum pressure is vital, and you must pay close attention to all of these if you want to master the paradiddle.

Don’t get discouraged and do not rush things. Practicing this pattern on a regular basis will slowly help you produce a paradiddle that sounds just like a fluent roll with a twist.

It’s a good idea to make use of a metronome when you practice also because it will help you with your timing.

Find out how you can master all 40 drum rudiments and keep on drummin!

Do you want to master drum rudiments? You can with the drum rudiments system. or the complete drumming system.

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