Dawson Meets Stone

"Redefining Paradiddles" Part I

What is a paradiddle? Is it merely just a sticking (RLRR,LRLL)? Or can it also be the pattern and sound of twocontrasting examples (ABAA, BABB)? I found the later to bevery freeing, in that I was not just stuck to a certain sticking.In fact, seeing a paradiddle as two contrasting examples hasdone the following:

• Expand my vocabulary overnight, tenfold, by building variationsderived from my current vocabulary.
• Improve phrasing and understand other drummers phrasing.
• Work on right hand and left hand lead independence.
• Create more interesting fills and solos.
• Give me a musical purpose to execute fills and phrases-Improved memorization of drum fills, beats, and solos.
• Create a more efficient and focused practice time. (There's neverenough time!)

Contrast is the key to musical depth!!! The series will show you aplethora of examples based on (ABAA, BABB). Take this simple-easy-to-memorize warm-up and use this as a backbone to expandany paradiddle variation. Enjoy!