Drum Lesson on Drum Rudiment Sticking Patterns
by Keith Bowman
In this instructional video you will see one of Dave Simon’s Rock School’s experienced drum instructors, Keith Bowman. In this drum lesson, Keith Bowman explores this classic drum rudiment/sticking pattern that will add flare and finesse to your drumming. There are multiple sticking patterns but this one is a must learn.
What is a drum rudiment or sticking pattern?
Drum rudiments are an essential part of any drumming program. Drum rudiments are simply groups of notes or strokes that have a set pattern between the left and right hands, which are known as sticking patterns. Learning drum rudiments will help improve drummers’ memory, both mental and muscle! Practicing sticking patterns will also help improve a drummer’s rhythm, execution of strokes, and clarity of sound. Practicing drum rudiments allows students to build their “vocabulary” or repertoire of strokes and beats. Drummers who practice rudiments regularly tend to have a more expansive knowledge of strokes, which leads to more creative jamming sessions!
Another benefit of drum rudiment exercises is to strengthen and develop a drummer’s weaker hand. Most drummers will find that their dominant hand is stronger than their non-dominant hand. Rudiment exercises will help even them out. This is another reason that sticking patterns work great as drumming warm up exercises before jumping into a lesson or jam session.
Keith created this video to teach a simple lesson about a drum rudiment called a “paradiddle.” We know that sounds funny, but most drum rudiments are named after what they sound like, so you’ll find that many rudiments have silly sounding names. Paradiddle is a fun and useful sticking exercise for drum students.
Paradiddle takes students past single strokes as a warm up. Keith describes it as grouping of four sixteenth notes, starting by accenting on the downbeat.