Drumming novices can benefit tremendously from rudiments, as they provide a linguistic framework and launching pad for a better understanding of sticking patterns.

Whether you aspire to craft formidable drum fills, infuse creativity into your solos or enhance your repertoire of grooves, rudiments offer a dependable resource.

Devoting time to honing these fundamental techniques can establish a firm foundation for mastering intricate rhythms and cultivating better musicality with your drumming.

In this guide, we're going to tell you all you need to know about drum rudiments and how they can take your craft to the next level.

What are Drum Rudiments?

Drummers gain a better understanding of various sticking patterns through the study of drum rudiments, which are essentially a collection of rhythmic patterns. Practically every beat a drummer can produce can be defined by a particular rudiment.

Historically, drum rudiments have been utilized as a means of transmitting critical information between military units in ancient battles, with snare drummers serving as the primary conveyors of such messages.

Over time, the study and practice of drum rudiments have evolved into an essential foundation for modern drumming techniques.

Grouping of Drum Rudiments

The contemporary application of rudiments has, of course, transcended its military origins, serving a much broader purpose. Drummers utilize these fundamental building blocks to construct rhythmic phrases and inform their playing, making them a vital aspect of their musical vocabulary.

The Percussive Arts Society has defined a comprehensive set of 40 drum rudiments. While there exist some additional rudiments outside of these "official" rudiments, most of them are simply variations and extensions of a few basic essentials.

Which Drum Rudiments to Learn First and Why?

While acquiring proficiency in all 40 official rudiments is certainly beneficial, it's not necessary to learn them all at once. As you progress, some rudiments may become more applicable to orchestral and marching percussion styles.

Let's look at some of the most essential rudiments to start with.

Single-Stroke Roll

The single-stroke roll is one of the most fundamental aspects of drumming and is considered a rhythmic cornerstone. I highly recommend that if you're a drummer, you begin your training by learning this rudiment since it is relatively easy to comprehend.

Despite its simplicity, however, the single-stroke roll can be used to produce a diverse range of beats and fills. However, increasing the speed of execution or initiating the roll with your non-dominant hand will be the ultimate challenge.

To execute a single-stroke roll, you must alternate your hands evenly on the surface of your drum.

If you're a beginner, you can start by practicing on a pad before transitioning to a drum kit once you feel confident. I highly recommend varying the playing technique as well. For example, try utilizing wrist movement for a few bars and then transitioning to fingers for the subsequent bars.

Before you go all drumming superstar, take take it slow. Make sure those sticks bounce off the surface. Stay relaxed and allow them to bounce naturally without forcing them down.

Double-Stroke Roll

If the one-hit wonder single-stroke roll is too easy for you, the double-stroke roll can get you ready for the big leagues. It's the Swiss Army knife of drumming rudiments, preparing you for almost any other rudiment you might attack.

Plus, it's a great finger workout that'll make your digits strong. Simply play two strokes with your right hand, then two with your left, and you'll be a drumming machine in no time.

Note that the second stroke in your double may be feeling a bit left out and sounding weaker than the first. Show it some love and accent it, switching it up and practicing with both hands.

Single Paradiddle

Once you've gotten the double-stroke roll down, it's time to get your hands on the single paradiddle - the Frankenstein of rudiments! It's got single strokes and double strokes all mixed up, making it one of the most versatile patterns to learn.

Plus, it'll give your hands a chance to play a nice and balanced pattern. Note that there are plenty of variations with this pattern, so it's good to start with one.

The recipe for success here starts off with two strokes that alternate like ping-pong. Follow up it with a double stroke using the same hand you started with.

The single paradiddle has endless applications on the kit. By shuffling the accents within the pattern, you can whip up some super groovy fills.

Flam

A flam is a drumming technique where two strokes are played with each hand but with a slight delay between them. The initial stroke, known as the grace note, is played lightly and leads into the second, stronger stroke.

I highly recommend getting into playing flams early on in your drumming, as they are integral to many advanced rudiments.

To execute a flam, YOU can lift one arm higher than the other and bring both of them down simultaneously. Though a flam involves just one note, practicing repeated flams within a bar can help hone the skill of alternating leading hands.

Double Paradiddles

The double paradiddle is a variation of the single paradiddle with an enjoyable twist. It involves a six-note pattern, playing two additional single strokes at the start of each group.

When playing the double paradiddle, you have 12 beats per bar, giving you the ability to play with a triplet feel. Practicing this rudiment early on helps to acclimate your ability to play a rudiment in triplets.

Double paradiddles are considered one of the most effective rudiments for creating a groove. The notes align in a manner that allows the left hand to hit the snare drum for the backbeat consistently, irrespective of where the other hands are on the drum kit.

This aspect of the double paradiddle makes it particularly useful for continuous backbeats even while playing fills, making it one of the most versatile techniques.

The Basic Drag

The drag technique resembles the flam. The only major difference is the addition of a double-stroked ghost note that precedes the downbeat.

This swift roll is a valuable tool for adding embellishments to just about any drum pattern, and it produces a fantastic accent on the snare drum.

Now, before you hop in and try the drag technique, it's essential to become proficient in flames and double strokes. However, the beauty is that mastering this rudiment will open up an entire category of drag-based techniques for you to explore.

Five-Stroke Roll

The five-stroke roll involves playing five quick strokes in succession, beginning with a single stroke followed by two doubles.

This technique is not only useful as an exercise for warming up, but it's also beneficial for drum fills that necessitate having more mobility around the kit.

After mastering the five-stroke roll, you will be better equipped to tackle more complex rolls like the seven-, nine-, and 13-stroke.

Due to its alternating hand technique, the five-stroke roll lends itself naturally to being played repeatedly in rapid succession. One popular approach is to use alternating single strokes to hit different toms while playing the doubles on the snare. You'll often hear the five-stroke roll played in this way during drum solos in rock and jazz.

The Para-Diddle-Diddle

The para-diddle-diddle is one of my absolute favorite rudiments and a fascinating one at that, which is best tackled once you have mastered paradiddles and five-stroke rolls. There are many that like to think of this rudiment as a paradiddle with an additional double stroke, though it can also be approached as an added single stroke atop a five-stroke roll.

Regardless of how you like to envision it, the para-diddle-diddle is not only fun to say but a crucial technique that will unlock several vital rhythmic patterns on your kit.

One of the most effective ways to improve your mobility around the toms and enhance your drum-fill repertoire is by alternating between para-diddle-diddles and five-stroke rolls while placing the single strokes on different toms. Additionally, when you play the right-hand part of the para-diddle-diddle on the ride cymbal and the left on the snare, you get a tasty jazz ride pattern with an offset snare accompaniment pattern that's ultra recognizable.

The Flamacue

While it might sound like a tool you'd use at a BBQ cookout, this useful drumming technique that incorporates the "cue" pattern, all the while incorporating flams for added flavor.

The flamacue is especially beneficial when you get into practicing accents on downbeat. This is because the flam accent occurs on the second sixteenth note of the pattern.

To master this rudiment, you have to become proficient at playing ghost notes on the flam, then following those ghost notes with a powerful upstroke. This will give you a proper execution of the accent of the third note.

On that note, I want to mention the importance of ghost notes.

Acquiring mastery over ghost notes and accents is absolutely crucial for infusing your playing with groove and funk. Practicing the rudiment between the hi-hat and snare is an excellent way to showcase the potential of combining a ghost note with an accent to produce an infectious groove.

The Swiss Army Triplet

The Swiss Army triplet is a unique rudiment that has its roots in military-style snare drumming that I mentioned earlier. Despite the fact that the written-out version of this rudiment uses flams, when played at a fast tempo, it functions as a double-stroke roll with an offset pattern.

This means that you play the double strokes within each other instead of consecutively, resulting in a unique triplet feel.

After getting comfortable playing the Swiss Army triplet at a faster pace, you can try experimenting with playing triplets on the hi-hat to get a trap groove feel. Additionally, the Swiss Army triplet is perfect for creating fills that traverse the drum kit, particularly when you can coordinate your hands to move across your tom rack.

The Flam Tap

Want to elevate your flam-ability?

By practicing the flam tap, you can enhance your proficiency and precision in executing flams.

You play the rudiment swiftly while alternating between your lead hands to develop the muscle memory necessary for playing the triple-stroke roll. This is because this rudiment requires you to play three notes in quick succession.

Of course, it's essential to keep in mind that flams are most effective when the ghost note preceding the primary accented note is played as softly as you can play it and only a hair before the primary hit.

Overall, the flam tap is one of the best rudiments for adding a more dynamic and exciting feel to to flammed accents. Moreover, as you continue practicing this rudiment, you can enhance your proficiency around the drum set, all while peppering your flams in fills.

The Single Ratamacue

To perform the single ratamacue, I recommend you already have proficiency in playing the drag rudiment - playing a controlled double stroke before an accent on the snare.

Once you have mastered the single ratamacue, it becomes one of the most easily executable snare drum licks, which you can use to begin or finish just about any kind of fill.

Thanks to the triplet rhythm and the accent on the off-beat, the single ratamacue has a distinct Latin vibe, especially when you begin experimenting with where you place the accent.

You'll notice the rudiment coming from many timbale players, who often incorporate it into their playing.

The Complete List of 40 Drum Rudiments

So, as you can see, drum rudiments are the building blocks of drumming.

And once you get past the simple single-stroke roll, you can start exploring more complex rudiments, providing you with a unique set of skills and techniques that can be applied to various musical styles and situations.

To give you a rhythmic warpath to tear down, let's dive into the complete list of 40 drum rudiments.

Single-Stroke Rudiments

The single-stroke roll involves a continuous alternation of sticking (such as RLRL, etc.) with no set tempo or duration.

Single Stroke Roll

Alternating sticking of single strokes. This rudiment is the most basic rudiment and a building block for many others.

Single Stroke Four

A combination of single strokes played in a specific pattern of four notes.

Single Stroke Seven

A combination of single strokes played in a specific pattern of seven. This is often played as a sextuplet with a successive quarter note.

Multiple Bounce Roll Rudiments

Multiple Bounce Roll

Otherwise known as the buzz roll, press roll, or closed roll, this rudiment uses the single-stroke roll as a fundamental rudiment with alternating sticking and no predetermined number of bounces.

The result is a smooth, continuous sound that can be played at any speed.

Triple Stroke Rol l

Alternating sticking of triple strokes in a similar fashion to the double stroke roll.

Double-Stroke Roll Rudiments

You'll find ten "official" double-stroke roll variants.

Double Stroke Roll

This is very similar to the single-stroke roll but with double strokes. It's most often played quickly.

Five Stroke Roll

A combination of single and double strokes played in a specific pattern of five notes or two diddles with a successive accented note.

Six Stroke Roll

A combination of single and double strokes played in a specific pattern of six notes, starting with an accented note and followed by two diddles with a successive accented note.

Seven Stroke Roll

A combination of single and double strokes played in a specific pattern of seven notes or three diddles with a successive accented note.

Nine Stroke Rol l

A combination of single and double strokes played in a specific pattern of nine notes or four diddles with a successive accented note.

Ten Stroke Roll

A combination of single and double strokes played in a specific pattern of ten notes or four diddles with two successive accented notes.

Eleven Stroke Roll

A combination of single and double strokes played in a specific pattern of eleven notes or five diddles with a successive accented note.

Thirteen Stroke Roll

A combination of single and double strokes played in a specific pattern of thirteen notes or six diddles with a successive accented note.

Fifteen Stroke Roll

A combination of single and double strokes played in a specific pattern of fifteen notes or seven diddles with a successive accented note.

Seventeen Stroke Roll

A combination of single and double strokes played in a specific pattern of seventeen notes or eight diddles with a successive accented note.

Double-Stroke Roll Rudiments

Diddles consist of a double stroke played with a single hand. These rudiments are often notated as two notes of the same value with a vertical line connecting them, such as "RR" or "LL".

Single Paradiddle

A diddle following two alternating strokes.

Double Paradiddle

A diddle following four alternating strokes.

Triple Paradiddle

A diddle following six alternating strokes.

Paradiddle-Diddle

Two alternating diddles following two alternating strokes.

Flam Rudiments

These rudiments are any that involve flams (one note being played slightly before the other).

Flam

A combination of two taps or strokes played almost simultaneously, with one hand playing a grace note followed by a stronger accent stroke.

Flam Accent

A combination of alternating groups of three strokes in the flam-stroke-stroke pattern.

Flamacue

A group of four notes followed by an ending downbeat with the flammed first note and a downbeat, and an accented second note.

Flam Paradiddle

Also referred to as a "flamadiddle," this rudiment consists of a paradiddle starting with a first-note flam.

Single Flammed Mill

Played as an inverted paradiddle using a flam on the first portion of each diddle.

Flam Paradiddle-Diddle

Flams on the first strokes of alternating paradiddle-diddles.

Pataflafla

A combination of alternating flams and single strokes played in a four-note pattern.

Swiss Army Triplets

Consists of a right-hand flam followed by a right-hand tap and a left-hand tap, or vice versa with a left-hand lead.

Inverted Flam Tap

Involves playing alternating diddles with a flam on the second note of each diddle, also commonly referred to as a "tap flam."

Flam Drag

Alternative three-note groups in the flam-drag-tap form.

Drag Rudiments

Drag

A tap with two diddle grace notes usually played with an accent.

Single Drag Ta p

Consists of two alternating notes where the first note is preceded by one or more grace notes

Double Drag Tap

A single drat tap with a drag grace note played first.

Lesson 25

Consists of three alternating notes, with the first note having drag grace notes and the third note being accented.

Single Dragadiddle

Standard paradiddle with a drag on the first note.

Drag Paradiddle No. 1

The first drag paradiddle is a rudiment consisting of an accented note followed by a paradiddle, where the first note of the paradiddle has drag grace notes.

Drag Paradiddle No. 2

The second drag paradiddle is a rudiment consisting of two accented notes followed by a paradiddle. This rudiment involves drag grace notes on both the second and first paradiddle notes.

Single Ratamacue

Four notes with drag grace notes on the first and an accented note on the fourth.

Double Ratamacue

Single ratamacue that starts with a drag

Triple Ratamacue

Double ratamacue that starts with two drags