Rex Phenom Musical

It’s just a case of starting the paradiddle at a different point within the line of notes.

Variation 1 – The Inverted Paradiddle

Single Paradiddle
This version of the paradiddle gets its own name and is most commonly called the Inverted Paradiddle. There is a lot of confusion amongst drummers as to whether the next variations shown below are also called “Inverted” paradiddles but you can take it from me that when the term “inverted paradiddle” is mentioned most drummers think of this variation.

It is my personal favourite as the single stroke part of the paradiddle flows into the down beat. For a really cool drum set application try placing the right hand over the floor tom and the left hand over the high tom for the single stroke part of the rudiment and play the doubles on the snare drum.

Variation 2 – The Backward Paradiddle

Single Paradiddle
This is simply the paradiddle played backwards; starting with the doubles.

Variation 3 – The Broken Double Paradiddle

Single Paradiddle
I have made up this name myself as the variation hasn’t actually got its own name. This is the least popular version of the single paradiddle due to the way the doubles flow into the downbeats.

The single paradiddle is an extremely popular rudiment and can be used in all styles of music. It is the simplest way possible of combining singles and doubles using both hands. The paradiddle consists of two singles and two doubles (RLRR LRLL and is a great way to start learning how to combine single notes (RLRL) with double notes (RRLL).

Here is the single paradiddle written in its simplest and most common form. I have written it in 1/8th notes but it can, of course, be played through any subdivision.



The Standard Single Paradiddle
Single Paradiddle
I have written the exercise so that the Right hand parts are played on the Hi-Hat and the Left hand parts on the snare drum. This is so you can hear what the different hand parts sound like when played together.

All the notes should be evenly played and all at the same volume; the temptation is to play the first note of each four notes loudly. When trying to play the paradiddle evenly it helps to play both hands on one drum source (such as the snare drum), this allows the ears to notice any differences between the hands. If you close your eyes while playing this on the snare drum it should sound like a single stroke roll (RLRL) i.e. all notes even and at the same volume. This is harder than you might think!

The paradiddle can be used within drum beats, as drum fills or used in a drum solo. What drummers will often do is break up the paradiddle into smaller chunks (RLRR) and play these little combinations of the paradiddle rather than a whole bar of RLRR LRLL. You won’t hear the whole paradiddle played in its entirety very often but it is this combination of single and doubles that make it a great tool to break up and place in any combination the drummer chooses.

The next three exercises are the same single paradiddle but simply moved along one note at a time. This simple idea, using the same sticking, allows the paradiddle to totally change its sound without the drummer having to learn any new stickings.

Merry Christmas to all the rex Phenom musical members, more years ahead of you, more money to get your outfit and all what you wanna do, blessings fall on you, joy peace fall on you, if you believe in this prayer, comment Amen