F I V E - S T A R T E C H T I P S

DRUM RUDIMENTS
The sticking patterns we’ve 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 drum-
mers 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) R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L

Double Stroke Roll (#6) R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L
Single Paradiddle (#16) R L R R L R L L R L R R L R L L
Double Paradiddle (#17) Triple Paradiddle (#18)

R L R L R R L R L R L L R L R L R L R R L R L R L R L L
Five-Stroke Roll (#7) Seven-Stroke Roll (#9) Nine-Stoke Roll (#10)

RRLLR L L RRLLRRL R L RRLLRRLL R L L

Thirteen-Stroke Roll (#13) Seventeen-Stroke Roll (#15)

R R L L R R L L R R L L R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R R L L R L L
Flam (#20) Flam Tap (#22) Flamacue (#23) Swiss Triplets (#28)

L R R L L R R R L L L R R R L L L R L R L LR LR R L L R R L
Drag (#31) Single Drag Tap (#32) Drag Paradiddle #1 (#36) Single Ratamacue (#38)

LL R RR L 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.