Rudimental stickings were originally designed to give the snare drummer a rhythmic vocabulary with which to build a foundation for executing military cadences with consistent precision and a bit of flair as well. Their incorporation into classical and jazz music elevated rudimental drumming to a greater art form that continues today in many styles of music. The true foundations of all rudiments are the long roll variations.
Chapter 3 - Selected Rudimental Variations
Practice Tips & Applications
Triple-Stroke Roll Inversions
The triple-stroke is a staple of a “whipping” arm, wrist, finger motion, sometimes referred to as the “(Sanford) Moeller Technique”. It is a less common roll technique than single-, buzz-, or double-strokes but it and its inversions are a helpful foundation for developing groove-based three-stroke rhythms commonly used in Jazz, and Swing-based Blues, Country, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Rock, and also Samba, beats.
DOWNLOAD the Web Exclusive Long Roll Studies Supplement illustrating inversions of the Triple-Stroke Roll.
Inverted Double-Strokes & Paradiddles
Like the extremely versatile Long Roll variations, Paradiddle Stickings are also foundations that all other rudiments are built on. They and their inversions also contain very musical rhythmic textures from hand to hand.
Video Demonstration 1, Cross Referencing Chapter Studies, interprets a single musical motive used throughout the book, spotlighting this chapter’s Inverted Double-Stroke Roll on pg. 30, a sticking inversion of the Single Paradiddle, and also the Pataflafla on pg. 37.
Video Demonstration 2, Cross Referencing II spotlights the Single Paradiddle on pg. 32 of the Paradiddle & Six-Stroke Roll Studies chapter plus further interpretations of that rudiment explored throughout the book.
DOWNLOAD the Web Exclusive Paradiddle Studies Supplement PDF, illustrating inversions of the Single Paradiddle as demonstrated in the Cross Referencing Chapter Studies video.
Flams, Drags & Ruffs
Flam, Drag and Ruff Rudiments are similar in their usage as embellishments applied to rudimental long or measured rolls and paradiddle variations. They also offer phrasing flexibility in the space between the grace and primary strokes.
Video Demonstration 3, Open Drags into Egg Beaters illustrates the Open Drag w/LH Lead (2nd Inversion) timetable as the foundation which the more ornamental sticking interpretation of the Open Drag w/LH Lead (2nd Inversion) – “Egg Beater” Variation (both found on pg. 44 of the Open Drag Studies chapter) can be built upon.
