Expanding the Paradiddle – Part 3

As was stated in Part 2, this article will examine ways to obtain polyrhythmic patterns by using paradiddles. These exercises should be practiced with a metronome until a natural feel for the rhythms is achieved. Again, keep the muscles relaxed and concentrate. If we play triplets with a paradiddle sticking, accenting the first note of each paradiddle, while playing the bass drum on all four beats, we obtain a polyrhythm of three against four, as follows:

Playing groups of five with paradiddle sticking, accenting the first note of each paradiddle, while playing the bass drum on all four beats yields a polyrhythm of five against four, as follows:

Using the paradiddle sticking for groups of six, with accents on the first stroke of each paradiddle, gives a polyrhythm of six against four:

To obtain a polyrhythm of seven against four, play groups of seven with paradiddle sticking, with accents on the first note of each paradiddle:

After mastering the exercises above, try the following drumset exercises:

I. All right-hand accents on floor tom
All left-hand accents on small tom
Bass drum on 1-2-3-4
Hi-hat on 2 and 4

(three against four)

(six against four)

II. Accented notes on bass drum and cymbal
Unaccented notes on snare drum
Hi-hat on 1-2-3-4

(five against four)

(seven against four)

III. Replace accented strokes with accented double strokes
All right-hand strokes on closed hi-hat
All left-hand strokes on snare drum
Bass drum on 1-2-3-4

(three against four)

(five against four)

IV. Replace all accented strokes with accented buzzes on snare
All unaccented left-hand strokes on small tom
All unaccented right-hand strokes on floor tom
Bass drum and hi-hat on 1-2-3-4

(six against four)

(seven against four)