If you want to become a great drummer, you need to start by learning different sticking patterns. Learning drum rudiments is an easy way to do this. These are short fills that you can practise daily, which will help you improve your coordination, creativity, and speed. You can even learn them without using a drum kit!
There are plenty of easy drum rudiments that are great for beginners, and for this article, we’ve chosen our five favourites. We’ll talk you through how to play them, how you can use them throughout your playing and practice, and why they’re useful to learn.
Drum rudiments you need to learn
Drum rudiments are a key part of drumming, especially for drummers working towards their graded exams. All drum grooves and patterns revolve around a type of rudiment in one way or another.
Our five top picks for easy drum rudiments are:
- Single stroke roll
- Double stroke roll
- Single Paradiddle
- Flam
- Drag
Upgrade your setup with these drum accessories
Before you start learning these drum fills, you need the right gear!
When first trying out these fills, I used a practice pad – these are extremely useful in helping you learn the sticking patterns without the added noise of the kit. You’ll also want a comfortable pair of sticks. I personally like to use 5As for their lightweight design, but you should try different sizes out and see which one works best for you!
Finally, don’t forget a metronome – this is crucial for drummers of any level. To be a good drummer, you must be able to keep time and maintain a steady tempo; using a metronome is the best way to develop these timekeeping skills.
10″ Practice Pad and Stand Bundle by Gear4music
- Realistic playing surface
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Vic Firth American Classic 5A Hickory Sticks
- Durable hickory
- Balanced design
- Wood tip
Boss DB-30 Dr Beat Metronome
- Clear, high-volume output
- Multiple rhythms and time signatures
- Includes headphone jack
Easy drum rudiments
1. Single stroke roll
One of the most important rudiments you can learn is the single-stroke roll. This makes up pretty much every fill and groove imaginable, so we recommend incorporating it into your practice sessions right from the start as it will help you build your skills later.
The pattern is straightforward, it involves alternating strokes between your hands in a continuous sequence: Right, Left, Right, Left (RLRL) for right-handed players, or Left, Right, Left, Right (LRLR) for left-handed players.
To play this single-stroke roll:
- Hold your drumsticks with a relaxed but controlled grip
- Begin by striking the drum with one hand, followed by the other
- Maintain even volume and spacing between each stroke
2. Double stroke roll
Once you’re comfortable with your single-stroke roll, you can move on to the double-stroke roll. Doubles are super useful rudiments to learn as they really focus on coordination and speed. Along with single stroke rolls, they’re the core of drumming, so learning both will set you up for success with other rudiments, fills, and grooves!
The sticking pattern for a double stroke roll is simple: Right, Right, Left, Left (RRLL) for right-handed players or Left, Left, Right, Right (LLRR) for left-handed players.
To play the double stroke roll:
- Begin with a loose grip, allowing the drumsticks to rebound naturally after each stroke
- Strike the drum twice with one hand before switching to the other
- Focus on even spacing, consistent dynamics, and a smooth flow between the strokes
3. Paradiddle
My all-time favourite rudiment is the paradiddle. It’s super versatile, easy to incorporate within grooves and fills, and helps with sticking coordination. Learning the different variations of paradiddles can also help you add some creativity to your playing.
The sticking pattern for this rudiment is: Right, Left, Right, Right, Left, Right, Left, Left (RLRR LRLL) for right-handed players or Left, Right, Left, Left (LRLL) for left-handed players.
To play the single paradiddle:
- Begin with a relaxed grip and strike the drum with alternating hands for the single strokes (RL)
- Follow this with a double stroke using the same hand (RR)
- Repeat the pattern, starting with the other hand (LRLL)
4. Flam
If you want to add texture to your fills, we recommend learning flams. These are short and easy two-note sequences that can help you practise playing with different dynamics through the use of a ghost note. Flams are made up of a primary stroke and a softer stroke more commonly known as a ghost note. The ghost note is performed by one hand, followed immediately by a stronger stroke from the opposite hand.
To play the flam:
- Position one stick slightly higher than the other. The lower stick will play the ghost note, and the higher stick will play the primary (louder) stroke
- Strike the drum with the lower stick first, quickly followed by the higher stick
- Ensure the strokes are close enough to create a cohesive sound rather than two distinct hits
5. Drag
Once you’ve learned how to play flams, you can learn a drag. This rudiment is slightly different from a flam because of the double ghost note before the primary stroke. It’s commonly used to add some complexity and texture to drum fills and drum rolls.
A right-hand drag would be played as Left, Left, Right (LLR), and a left-hand drag as Right, Right, Left (RRL).
To play the drag:
- Begin by playing two quick, soft strokes with one hand, known as grace notes
- Follow the grace notes with a stronger primary stroke from the opposite hand
- Maintain control to keep the grace notes light and distinct from the primary stroke
FAQs
In what order should I learn drum rudiments?
To learn drum rudiments effectively, you should start with the foundational patterns such as the single stroke roll, double stroke roll, and paradiddle. Once mastered, progress to intermediate rudiments like flams and drags, then advanced combinations such as paradiddle diddles and ratamacues. Practise slowly and focus on precision and control for better results.
What are the 40 drum rudiments?
The 40 drum rudiments are a set of essential patterns including rolls, paradiddles, flams, and drags. They serve as the building blocks for drumming techniques. Examples include the single-stroke roll, flam accent, and double paradiddle. Learning these improves versatility and musicality.
What is a ghost note on drums?
A ghost note on drums is a softly played note often added for texture and groove. They’re subtle and typically placed between louder beats. Ghost notes enhance rhythmic complexity and dynamics, making drum patterns feel more nuanced and expressive.
Final thoughts
Drum rudiments are a core part of drumming, and mastering them can improve your fills and basic grooves. Starting with these five easy drum rudiments is a great way to build your drumming technique, especially your coordination, speed, and control. To get the most out of your practice, make sure you start slow. Use a practice pad and a metronome and gradually increase your speed before moving to the kit.
With time and practice, you will be able to move onto the more complex rudiments and find creative ways to incorporate them into your everyday playing.
If you want to learn more, check out some of our other posts:
How to Read Drum Music Notation – Everything You Need to Know
How to Tune Drums – The Dos and Don’ts
The 11 Best Snare Drums – Options for Every Budget
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