Why Learn Drum Rudiments?

Drum rudiments are the basics—the essentials of drumming. Learning drum rudiments is like learning how to play or do anything. You need a good solid foundation of what you are doing so you can be the best at what you do. If you become really good at playing drum rudiments, you will have the tools necessary to become a good drummer. And believe me, it will take practice to become proficient.

 

There are 40 drum rudiments. These include single stroke, roll, flam, include the flam, paradiddle, and drag. These are the basics to becoming a complete drummer. If you have ever watched experienced drum and bugle corps, you will see the drum line knows their rudiments up and down. Here is a listing of the basic rudiments.

Single Stroke Rudiments

Single Stroke Roll

Single Stroke Four

Single Stroke Seven

 

Roll Rudiments

Multiple Bounce Roll

Triple Stroke Roll

Double Stroke Roll

Five Stroke Roll

Six Stroke Roll

Seven Stroke Roll

Nine Stroke Roll

Thirteen Stroke Roll

Fifteen Stroke Roll

Seventeen Stroke Roll

 

Flam Rudiments

Flam Accent

Flam Tap

Flamacue

Flam Paradiddle

Single Flammed Mill

Flam Paradiddle-diddle

Pataflafla

Swiss Army Triplet

Inverted Flam Tap

Flam Drag

 

Paradiddle Rudiments

Single Paradiddle

Double Paradiddle

Triple Paradiddle

Paradiddle-diddle

 

Drag Rudiments

Ruff

Single Drag Tap

Double Drag Tap

Lesson 25

Single Dragadiddle

Drag Paradiddle #1

Drag Paradiddle #2

Single Ratamacue

Double Ratamacue

Triple Ratamacue

When learning to play the rudiments, make sure you can play them slowly first before speeding up. Like anything, practicing mistakes will reinforce the mistakes. So, make sure you start slow and work your way up slowly. Some rudiments will be easier than others so all won’t be mastered at the same speed. Some will be frustrating so just slow down. Again, don’t practice mistakes.

Rudiments can be practiced anywhere as long as you have a surface which provides enough resistance to resemble a snare or practice pad. You can practice with no sticks but I have found this not to really help as much as one would think. Practice with sticks. Remember to start slow, increase speed a little at time, do not get frustrated and have fun. You will get better quickly.