Rudiment 19 of 40 · Diddle rudiments

Single Paradiddle-diddle

Also called: paradiddle-diddle

The single paradiddle-diddle is two singles and two doubles: RLRRLL. Unlike the paradiddle, it doesn't switch hands, so every group starts on the same hand. Fast and smooth, it is a favorite for sextuplet fills around the toms and for 6/8 grooves.

Sticking
RLRRLL RLRRLL
Accents
The first note of each group.
Family
Diddle rudiments
Strokes before it repeats
12, same lead hand each group
Original 26 rudiments
No, added by PAS in 1984
Starting tempo
About 60 BPM

Hear it, then play it

Practice version: every note is twice as long as on the PAS chart, so the fastest notes are eighth notes. Same sticking and accents, easier to read and count while you learn it. Sticking under each note: R right hand, L left; small letters are grace notes.

LR

Press Play to watch the sticks

Lead

Put it in RockBlocks

The practice version on a snare line at 60 BPM, accents and all, to build on or play with your other beats. RockBlocks has no grace notes or sticking, so flams and drags arrive as their main notes.

Play it on the drum kit

Four beats built on the Single Paradiddle-diddle: a fill, a groove, a fill around the toms, and a pulse to practice over.

Open the 4 beats

How to play the Single Paradiddle-diddle

  1. Read the sticking. The Single Paradiddle-diddle is RLRRLL RLRRLL. Say the letters out loud before you play them.
  2. Find the accents. The first note of each group. Start accents high and keep taps low, so the difference comes from stick height.
  3. Play it slowly with a click. Start around 60 BPM, or slower, and play it until every stroke is on the right hand and every accent is in place.
  4. Open, close, open. Speed up a few BPM at a time to as fast as you can play it cleanly, then slow back down without stopping.
  5. Lead with the other hand. Play it starting with your left hand too: LRLLRR LRLLRR.

Tips

  • The two doubles back to back are the hard part. Keep them even.
  • Practice it starting with the left hand too: LRLLRR.
  • Try it as sextuplets around the toms.

Put it on the drum set: Lesson 31: Paradiddle Groove, Lesson 93: Inverted Paradiddle Groove.

Single Paradiddle-diddle questions

What is the sticking for the Single Paradiddle-diddle?

RLRRLL RLRRLL. R is the right hand and L the left. Every group starts on the same hand; to lead with the other hand, swap every R and L.

Where are the accents in the Single Paradiddle-diddle?

The first note of each group. With accents marked: >R L R R L L | >R L R R L L.

How many notes are in the Single Paradiddle-diddle?

The pattern as written by the Percussive Arts Society has 12 main strokes, then repeats.

What tempo should I practice the Single Paradiddle-diddle at?

Start slowly enough to play every sticking and accent correctly, around 60 BPM or below. Then practice open–close–open: speed up a few BPM at a time, and slow back down.

Is the Single Paradiddle-diddle one of the original 26 rudiments?

No. The Single Paradiddle-diddle was added when the Percussive Arts Society expanded the list to 40 in 1984. It is rudiment #19, in the diddle rudiments.

Sticking, accents and note values follow the Percussive Arts Society International Drum Rudiments (© 1984 PAS). The chart is RockBlocks' own drawing.

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