Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.
paradiddle
This term is a technical piece of jargon used almost exclusively within the drumming and percussion community. It is an onomatopoeic word, designed to mimic the rhythmic sound of the strokes as they are played. In a professional musical context, it is treated as a fundamental building block or "rudiment" that allows a drummer to switch lead hands seamlessly.
Because it describes a specific technical pattern, the word is rarely used metaphorically. When used as a verb, it describes the physical act of executing this specific sequence, rather than general drumming.
Meanings
A drumming rudiment consisting of a sequence of two single strokes followed by two double strokes, typically played as right-left-right-right and left-right-left-left.
The drummer practiced the paradiddle for hours to improve their speed.
To play a paradiddle rudiment on a drum or percussion instrument.
He began to paradiddle across the snare and tom-toms.