The Flamadiddle is a combination of the Paradiddle and Flam 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 flam. This is quite a tricky rudiment as you end up with three strokes in a row one one hand around the flam. This rudiment is very similar to the Flam Tap and Flam Accent so it is worth studying these first. These exercises will drastically improve your hand stamina and creates some awesome ideas for groove and fill construction.
Listed below is the rudiment in three different note values. Work your way through these exercises slowly making sure you can play the slower versions before trying to speed up.
Exercise 1
A Flamadiddle as quarter notes in standard sticking.
Exercise 2
A Flamadiddle 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 Flamadiddle as eighth notes in standard sticking.
Exercise 4
A Flamadiddle 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 Flamadiddle as sixteenth notes in standard sticking.
Exercise 5
A Flamadiddle as sixteenth notes in reversed sticking.
TASK
- Using the 2 minute rule, get exercises 5 and 6 up to a tempo of 120bpm.
Up Next
I recomend covering our lesson on Adding Feet As Crotchets under this rudiment next.
