Basic principles of playing with drum rudiments

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Drum rudiments are the building blocks for all beats and fills. Learning these techniques will open you up to free drumming and give you a new lease of life to create beats and fills you never dreamed of. Mastering and applying drum rudiments is one of the most important aspects of your musical career. However, the practice of this technique is one of the most overlooked principles of learning to play the drums.

Singles

Drumming rudiments and techniques include various aspects, but the most basic is the single-stroke roll.

If you have been playing this instrument for some time but have not yet begun to learn these techniques, chances are you have already used this technique without knowing it.

This vestige of drums consists of alternating beats played between hands - R (right hand), L (left hand) R L R L … or L R L R L R … in case the left is leading. Regardless of your main hand, it is important to learn how to perform this exercise in such a way that both leads alternately. Also pay special attention tocorrect grip of sticks.

Bouncing fraction

The bounce shot consists of consecutive and alternating multiple hits, which are represented by double diagonal lines. Each has an indefinite number of notes, which are produced by striking the stick against the base of the drum or practice surface using slight fulcrum pressure. The number of bounces is determined by the pressure you use on the fulcrum: the more you push, the fewer bounces. Therefore, it is important that you work to ensure that your hands apply even pressure to the drumsticks. This is what will help you get a new level of sound and a great swinging groove.

Single paradiddle

This is one of the most popular drum rudiments. It combines single shots with double shots. The word "paradidl" in the name of the rudiment means that in a particular pattern there are two single beats (pair), followed by one set of double fractions (didl). The word "single" in this particular case means that you have one set of singles for every set of doubles. In general, it looks like this: R (par) L (a) R (di) L (dl) L (steam) R (a) L (di) L (dl).

Flam (Flam)

The grace is one of the three main strokes along with the single and double. Its purpose is to create a more expansive sound to embellish the composition. The grace note consists of two single strokes played at different heights. The highest and loudest note is called the fundamental note, while the lowest and quietest note is called the grace note. because ofdifference in pitch, the root note should land on the surface of the drum or practice pad immediately after the grace note. This is what gives a thicker and longer sound. The grace note has no rhythmic meaning. It all depends on what composition you want to achieve.

As you do these exercises, focus on keeping the sticks down when you are about to make the grace note and keeping the notes as close as possible. Consistency in this case plays a very important role. Listen to your playing and check for any inconsistencies in volume and travel distance between the root note and the grace note.

Once you feel you can play this routine with consistency and quality, you can start learning how to apply it to breaks and beats. This technique of drum rudiments requires diligence and patience, but once you master this technique, you will notice how much brighter your playing and sense of rhythm will become.

The main thing - remember, nothing comes at once. Perseverance and diligence will always help you on your musical path.