What are Drum Rudiments?
A drum rudiment is basically a sticking pattern. Every sticking pattern you play on the drum set is derived from different drum rudiments and should be practiced by drummers to increase their stick control, speed and independence. There are 40 drum rudiments; some more complicated then the others. They are designed to be played in common drumming applications. What this means is they are designed to be played in drum beats, fills, and solos.
40 Essential Rudiments
You may have heard of the 40 Essential Drum Rudiments before; this is the list of rudiments that are played. They say if you master the 40 essential rudiments you are on your way to becoming a professional drummer. This is very true; if you can identify and play each one of these rudiments you will have built up enough knowledge and stick control to be a very skilled drummer. However, this takes a lot of work! The good news is most of the drum rudiments are variations of each other.
How to Practice
Watch the video demonstrations at each link to see a professional playing the rudiment. Then, the best way to practice these is to take a pair of drum sticks, a metronome, and a practice pad and start playing. Make sure you are playing with a metronome to keep yourself on time. Start slow, and build up your speed. For a free online metronome click HERE.Before you begin, watch these videos!!
The Grip (Matched, Traditional) and The 4 Strokes (Rebound, Controlled, Tap, Upstroke)
Level 1
A) SINGLE STROKE ROLL - at BRONZE LEVEL (evenly-spaced notes played with alternating sticking)
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| single stroke roll |
Level 2
A) SINGLE STROKE ROLL - at BRONZE LEVEL (evenly-spaced notes played with alternating sticking)
B) MULTIPLE BOUNCE ROLL MM=50-75 (Alternating handed strokes with no specific number of bounces. Should sound even and continuous. Also called "buzz roll" or "press roll")
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| multiple bounce roll |
Level 3
A) SINGLE STROKE ROLL - at SILVER LEVEL (evenly-spaced notes played with alternating sticking)
B) MULTIPLE BOUNCE ROLL MM=50-75 (Alternating handed strokes with no specific number of bounces. Should sound even and continuous. Also called "buzz roll" or "press roll")
C) DOUBLE STROKE OPEN ROLL - at BRONZE LEVEL (alternating diddles - RRLL - are considered a double stroke roll. Played so each individual note can be heard distinctly)
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| double stroke open roll |
Level 4
A) SINGLE STROKE ROLL - at SILVER LEVEL (evenly-spaced notes played with alternating sticking)
B) MULTIPLE BOUNCE ROLL MM=70-100 (Alternating handed strokes with no specific number of bounces. Should sound even and continuous. Also called "buzz roll" or "press roll")
C) DOUBLE STROKE OPEN ROLL - at BRONZE LEVEL (alternating diddles - RRLL - are considered a double stroke roll. Played so each individual note can be heard distinctly)
D) SINGLE PARADIDDLE - at BRONZE LEVEL (two alternating notes followed by a diddle)
Double Paradiddle - at BRONZE LEVEL (four alternating notes followed by a diddle)
Double Paradiddle - at SILVER LEVEL
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE LEARNED 7 OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RUDIMENTS. YOU ARE WELL ON YOUR WAY TO BEING A DRUM MASTER IN WHATEVER STYLE OF MUSIC YOU WANT TO PLAY! THERE ARE 33 MORE RUDIMENTS.... YOU'VE COME THIS FAR, KEEP GOING! :) MAKE SURE YOU LEARN THEM IN THE ORDER GIVEN BELOW:
Single Stroke FourSingle Stroke Seven
Triple Paradiddle
Paradiddle-Diddle
Five Stroke Roll
Nine Stroke Roll
Seven Stroke Roll
Flam Tap
Flam Accent
Lesson 25
Single Drag Tap
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