The Dragadiddle is a combination of the Paradiddle and Drag rudiments, meaning it can be described as a 'hybrid rudiment'. To create the basic version of the pattern you will play paradiddles as 16th notes and on every quarter note add in a drag. This is quite a tricky rudiment as you end up with multiple strokes in a row with one hand around the drag. This rudiment is very similar to the Flamadiddle so it is worth studying this rudiment first and you can find a link to this at the bottom of the page. These exercises will drastically improve your hand stamina and creates some awesome ideas for groove and fill construction. It is also essential that you are familiar with the two base rudiments.
Listed below is the rudiment in three different note values in both standard and reversed sticking. Work your way through these exercises slowly making sure you can play the slower versions before trying to speed up.
Exercise 1
A Dragadiddle as quarter notes in standard sticking.
Exercise 2
A Dragadiddle as quarter notes in reversed sticking.
TASK
- Using the 2 minute rule, get exercises 1 and 2 up to a tempo of 180bpm.
Exercise 3
A Dragadiddle as eighth notes in standard sticking.
Exercise 4
A Dragadiddle as eighth notes in reversed sticking.
TASK
- Using the 2 minute rule, get exercises 3 and 4 up to a tempo of 120bpm.
Exercise 5
A Dragadiddle as sixteenth notes in standard sticking.
Exercise 5
A Dragadiddle as sixteenth notes in reversed sticking.
TASK
- Using the 2 minute rule, get exercises 5 and 6 up to a tempo of 120bpm.
- Experiment with adding feet to the rudiment.
- Experiment with orchestrating the rudiment.
