F I V E - S T A R

DRUM RUDIMENTS

T E C H T I P S

The sticking patterns weve come to know as the

traditional drum rudiments began as military drum calls and evolved over hundreds of years. Today these fundamental patterns are used by all types of drummers to develop technical proficiency, strength, speed and endurance. The basic beats are made up of single strokes, double strokes, grace notes and combinations of those strokes that have become standardized.

Here are some suggestions on how to get the most out of practicing the Rudiments: Start all patterns with both the right and left hands. Practice at different tempos and dynamic levels. Play the Rudiments with your hands and feet. Apply the Rudiments to the drumset. Make up your own rudimental sticking patterns and exercises.

Single Stroke Roll (#1) Double Stroke Roll (#6) Single Paradiddle (#16) Double Paradiddle (#17)

R L R L R R L L R L R R

R L R L R R L L L R L L

R L R L R R L L R L R R

R L R L R R L L L R L L

Triple Paradiddle (#18)

R L R L R R
Five-Stroke Roll (#7)

L R L R L R L R R

L R L R L R L L

Seven-Stroke Roll (#9)

Nine-Stoke Roll (#10)

RRLLR L

RRLLRRL

RRLLRRLL R

Thirteen-Stroke Roll (#13)

Seventeen-Stroke Roll (#15)

R R L L R R L L R R L L R L
Flam (#20) Flam Tap (#22)

L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R
Flamacue (#23)

Swiss Triplets (#28)

R R

L L

R R

L L

R L R L LR

LR R L

R R L

Drag (#31)

Single Drag Tap (#32)

Drag Paradiddle #1 (#36)

Single Ratamacue (#38)

LL

RR

LL

R L

RR

L R R

LL

R L R R L

RR

L R L L

LL

R L R L

RR

L R L R

The Rudiments shown above are among the 40 standard International Drum Rudiments. For a complete Rudiment chart go online at www.pas.org/Resources/rudiments.cfm.