RudimentsTomás Howie Drumming Web
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Concept

   Rudiments are the building blocks of drumming technique. Knowledge of these essential patterns, and the ability to play them fluidly at any tempo without conscious thought, will make you a better drummer regardless of the style of music you play.

   Each set of rudiments includes the proper sticking. In some cases, opposing sticking is added. When practicing these patterns, use a single drum or a pad, start slowly and build speed - hold - then slow back down. Then do the opposing sticking. It is highly recommended that you practice these patterns with a metronome.

   When you have reached facility with each pattern on a single drum, begin to develop their use on the kit, practicing them around the various drums. See Paradiddle Exercises for an example of how this would work with the Paradiddle.

NARD Rudiments

   The 26 rudiments on this page are often identified as the Essential Rudiments of Drumming by the National Association of Rudimental Drummers. Over the years other rudiments have been developed, and have been added to the original 26. These rudiments are identified as the Percussive Arts Society International Drum Rudiments.

    Please note that the rudiments on this page are taken from Rubank 1946, and the notation represents traditional notation. The notation of these rudiments as identified by PASIC are found on the PASIC Rudiments page, and should be construed as current. Please don't email me with corrections!

   Here are the Twenty-Six Essential Rudiments of Drumming, numbered, and in order. Feel free to print this page for future reference.


    1. The Long Roll (or Double-Stroke Roll, or Buzz Roll)

The Long Roll


    2. The Five-Stroke Roll

The Five-Stroke Roll


    3. The Seven-Stroke Roll

The Seven-Stroke Roll


    4. The Flam

The Flam


    5. The Flam Accent #1 (pattern #1)

The Flam Accent #1 (pattern #1)

        The Flam Accent #1 (pattern #2)

The Flam Accent #1 (pattern #2)


    6. The Flam Paradiddle

The Flam Paradidle


    7. The Flamacue

The Flamacue


    8. The Ruff

The Ruff


    9. The Single Drag

The Single Drag


    10. The Double Drag

The Double Drag


    11. The Double Paradiddle

The Double Paradiddle


    12. The Single Ratamacue

The Single Ratamacue


    13. The Triple Ratamacue

The Triple Ratamacue


    14. The Single-Stroke Roll

The Single-Stroke Roll


    15. The Nine-Stroke Roll

The Nine-Stroke Roll


    16. The Ten-Stroke Roll

The Ten-Stroke Roll


    17. The Eleven-Stroke Roll

The Eleven-Stroke Roll


    18. The Thirteen-Stroke Roll

The Thirteen Stroke Roll


    19. The Fifteen-Stroke Roll

The Fifteen-Stroke Roll


    20. The Flam Tap (notation #1)

The Flam Tap (notation #1)


        The Flam Tap (notation #2)

The Flam Tap (notation #2)


        The Flam Tap (notation #3)

The Flam Tap (notation #3)


    21. The Single Paradiddle

The Single Paradiddle


    22. The Drag Paradiddle #1

The Drag Paradiddle #1


    23. Drag Paradiddle #2

The Drag Paradiddle #2


    24. The Flam Paradiddle-Diddle (notation #1)

The Flam Paradiddle-Diddle (notation #1)


        The Flam Paradiddle-Diddle (notation #2)

The Flam Paradiddle-Diddle (notation #2)


    25. The Ratatap (pattern #1)

The Ratatap (pattern #1)


        The Ratatap (pattern #2)

The Ratatap (pattern #2)


    26. The Double Ratamacue

The Double Ratamacue

    Notation key

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