The Importance of Paradiddles

The Importance of Paradiddles

I want to take a moment to stress the importance of this rudiment. In the book Percussion Manual Second Edition by the author of F. Michael Combs [ISBN 1-57766-106-0] printed by Waveland Press, Inc. on page 79 of section II. B. is a list of rudiments (most diddle rudiments from the original NARD 26 Rudiments) that Mr. Combs claims are Unessential (rarely necessary). I tend to differ here. I am not sure why he says this but after much study of this rudiment there are too many benefits to having this rudiment in your arsenal.

Looking at the paradiddle the first note is accented followed by an alternate hand of lesser volume and followed by the starting hand with two strokes of the same volume as the opposite hand. Just the fact of sticking going from alternate to doubles over and over builds oneself for better independence and the accent placed on the first note of every four is another training exercise. Along with the other variations of diddles, including diddles containing flams and drags, makes for a superior workout and alternate sticking methods to keep a multi-percussionist from getting tangled up.

Think of master stick control in overdrive. Alternates and double strokes with accents and flams and drags (ruffs). The stick control of Accents, regular stroke and grace (or ghost) notes all present in one rudiment. So here is where I validate the importance of this rudiment.

In section C on the same page of his book he goes on to list additional rudiments from the PAS International Drum Rudiments list. #7 The Single Paradiddle-diddle. #8 Single Flammed Mill. #13. Single Dragadiddle. Now, PAS has recognized these rudiments since they are overwhelmingly used rudiments in competition and in marching drumlines so if the true fundamental rudiment is discredited by being called unessential (rarely necessary) then wouldn’t that lend to saying the same to these hybrids of the same rudiment family? So, I say all diddle rudiments are important and pretty cool to play, too.

Kenneth Ray Sword Jr