Meet the Rudiments

Since the start of last year, I posted demonstration videos of each rudiment, on my social media. (Check them out if you haven’t already.) The videos aren’t for teaching ― they’re purpose is to bring awareness of the many rudiments available to us drummers. If you only know 3 rudiments, then it’s like a guitarist or pianist only knowing three chords. Sure, there are some bands that have made a great living with only three chords, but those jobs are filled.

Rudiments (and that includes drum rolls) are like words and phrases on the drums. If you only know 3 words or phrases, it’s going to be extremely difficult to communicate. There are 40 basic rudiments listed by the Percussive Art Society (PAS). Nowadays, there are many hybrid rudiments that have been created, but for now, the basic 40 is all you need to know. Drum rolls and rudiments are fundamental in all styles of drumming and every drummer should know how to play them. The PAS rudiments should be an important thing to learn, especially as a young drummer. Pataflalfa, Flam Paradiddlediddle, Double Ratamacue, Drag Paradiddle. No, my cat didn’t just walk across my keyboard. These are actual names of rudiments and they’re exactly what you’d expect from a bunch of drummers. Here are 5 advantages to knowing how to play all the rudiments with a metronome, at a variety of different tempos:

1. Playing your rudiments on a daily basis, will help keep you in shape musically and rhythmically. You’ll have stamina, be more relaxed, and your ideas, beats and rhythms will flow smoothly. 2. Your timing and precision will be greatly improved and you’ll be able to switch from one note value to the next with the greatest of ease. You’ll also be able to switch sticking patterns in the blink of an eye. 3. Your understanding of beat placement within a pulse will be a huge advantage. If you understand beat placement with all your note values, with a variety of sticking patterns, then you can be musically creative around the drum kit. 4. Improved dynamics. Being able to play the rudiments at a variety of different volume levels will bring musicality into your playing. 5. Improved technique. It’s extremely difficult to play all the rudiments without proper technique, so playing the rudiments every day will help you develop all the different techniques required to play everything you want to know. If you want to be able to communicate effectively, creatively and musically on the drums, knowing your rudiments is the way to do it. Get started with a list of all 40 Percussive Art Society Rudiments. With practice and consistency, you’ll start being more creative around the drum kit, and have more fluidity and musicality when playing with other musicians. Now go flam a diddle!