Single Paradiddle

The Single Paradiddle (#16 of the 40 P.A.S. certified essential or standard rudiments) is a sticking consisting of two Single Strokes and one Double Stroke. The first Single Stroke is accented. This is a hand-to-hand pattern which means it alternates between starting on the Right Hand and the Left Hand.

The Single Paradiddle is one of the phonetic rudiments. This means that it's called a Paradiddle because that's how it sounds. (This is called an onomatopoeia btw.) 'Pa' is the accent, 'diddle' is a double. 'Ra' is probably just chosen because it makes the word sound good.

The Single Paradiddle can be seen as a four note sticking which reverses hands automatically. It can also be seen as an eight note sticking because it takes this many notes for the pattern to resolve completely. Do not debate this. Time is precious. Play. Don't argue.

Sticking

RlrrLrll

Counting

1tnt2tnt

or

1e&a2e&a

Dynamics

DUTT (Down Up Tap Tap)

When increasing the tempo of the Single Paradiddle we go from Gladstone Technique to Moeller Technique. Click here to learn more.

Single Paradiddle

Exercises

16a

This exercise combines 16th and 8th notes per two beats while playing the Single Paradiddle sticking.

Counting

1tnt2tnt1.n.2.n.1tnt2tnt1.n.2.n.

or

1e&a2e&a1.&.2.&.1e&a2e&a1.&.2.&.

16b

This exercise combines one beat of 16th and one beat of 8th notes. During the 16th notes we play the Single Paradiddle sticking. We play the 8th notes as either R.l. or L.r. depending on which hand leads.

Counting

1tnt2.n.1tnt2.n.

or

1e&a2.&.1e&a2.&.

16c

This exercise combines three beats of 16th and one beat of 8th notes. Again, during the 16th notes we play the Single Paradiddle sticking. And again we play the 8th notes as either R.l. or L.r. depending on which hand leads.

Counting

1tnt2tnt1tnt2.n.1tnt2tnt1tnt2.n.

or

1e&a2e&a1e&a2.&.1e&a2e&a1e&a2.&.