This week consisted of paradiddle practice. The single paradiddle is a simple pattern that goes as follows (R L R R, or L R L L). This rudiment is combining both singe strokes and double strokes, both of which I have worked on already. I’m finding that the most challenging part is keeping the double stroke aspect even in tempo and dynamic. I have both of my exercises up to around 60 bpm, but my goal is to continue working on it to get it up to 90 bpm.

Here are a couple of my practice videos from this week. Looking back I definitely notice the unevenness happening with my double stroke, but that will come with time and lots of slow practice. Part of the reason I love using video in my practice is I can listen and actually look back at what I’m doing so it easier for me to diagnose what is happening.

First attempt at single paradiddle. It is far from perfect, but I am happy to capture my starting point so I can see my progress over time.

 

Here is one of the exercises I hope to learn, this exercises switches between quarter and eighth note paradiddles.

 

My final practice video from this week is a different paradiddle exercise I hope to master. This exercise is all sixteenth note paradiddles. I noticed how easy it is to tense up when playing these fast notes. I know I need to focus on playing in a relaxed and controlled way.

 

This week has been really busy in terms of course work. I feel a bit behind in my snare drum practice but I am determined to keep with it and further develop this skill. My biggest motivation is that these skills will make me a better music teacher!

 

 

Photo by Brad Stallcup on Unsplash