How to Play Paradiddle on Drums

Coordination is critical for a drummer to be successful. Learning to play the paradiddle will help the drummer train his brain and be more fundamentally sound when he plays the drums. There are several basic rudiments a drummer can learn. Paradiddle is the most elementary.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Place the snare drum and throne (stool). The snare should be approximately 6 inches in front of the throne.

2. Position yourself on the throne so the snare drum is comfortable between the knees as your legs form a V.

3. Keep a straight back and bend your arms at a 90-degree angle. The hands should be just above the drum head.

4. Grab the drumsticks and begin playing in this pattern: right, left, right, right; left, right, left, left. Repeat.

5. Continue playing that pattern and gradually speed it up. The paradiddle got its name from the sound the drum makes when it's played. Broken down by syllable, it goes like this: right (par), left (a), right-right (did-dle) and vice-versa when starting with the left hand.

Tips & Warnings

• Proper posture is needed to prevent injuries which could occur over time from repeating the same motions over and over.
• The paradiddle should be played with no emphasis on any note or hand. It should be played so there is no distinction it which hand is playing the note.
• Paradiddles are for practice. Use them to develop speed and coordination. Once you are comfortable playing single paradiddles, move on the the double paradiddle.