Paradiddle

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In percussion, the paradiddle is a four-note sticking pattern consisting of two alternating notes followed by two notes on the same hand (i.e. a diddle). The basic pattern is RLRR or LRLL. When multiple paradiddles are played in succession, the lead hand always alternates between right and left.

Single Paradiddle

[edit] Variations

There are three variations on the single paradiddle. They can be written as follows, where R represents the right hand and L represents the left hand; the bold letters indicate where the accent typically falls (after the diddle).

• Reverse Single Paradiddle - RRLR|LLRL
• Inward Single Paradiddle - RLLR|LRRL
• Outward Single Paradiddle - RLRL|LRLR

[edit] Other Paradiddle Rudiments

Other rudiments in the paradiddle family are:

	Double Paradiddle
	Triple Paradiddle
	Paradiddle-Diddle

[edit] Examples

Paradiddles and their variations can be combined in many ways to achieve different effects, whether on a single snare drum, multiple tenor drums, or a drum set.

Example #1: Single Paradiddle followed by variation #2:

• RLRR LRLL RLRR LRLL | RRLR LLRL RRLR LLRL

Example #2: 2 single, 2 double, and 2 triple paradiddles:

• RLRR LRLL | RLRLRR LRLRLL | RLRLRLRR LRLRLRLL

Example #3: (2 paradiddles and 1 paradiddle-diddle) twice, then the whole pattern reversed:

• RLRR LRLL RLRRLL | RLRR LRLL RLRRLL | RLRRLL RLRR LRLL | RLRRLL RLRR LRLL