Sticking For The Double Paradiddle

The double paradiddle is a development of the Paradiddle which is played as Sextuplets and has an extra set of singles added at the start. This means that each time the rudiment repeats the leading hand switches, much like the standard and inverted paradiddle rudiments. As the rudiment is played in sixes it is noticably faster than previous paradiddle stickings so these exercises will be great for building up hand speed and stamina and open up some cool new options for adding some extra layers of decoration to your playing also.

Note that the Double Paradiddle can also be referred to as a 'Para Para Diddle'. Its sticking is four singles followed by a double then the same but reversed, so 'R L R L R R L R L R L L'. It's also worth noting that because of the six note grouping, this rudiment translates really well to the time signatures of 6/8 and 3/4.

Shown below is the rudiment as both eighth note triplet and full sixteenth note sextuplets. For each rhythm both standard and reverse sticking are given, practice both stickings with a metronome and start slowly while you are familiarizing yourself with the sticking.


Exercise 1

A double paradiddle in standard sticking as eighth note triplets.

A double paradiddle in standard sticking.


Exercise 2

A double paradiddle in reverse sticking as eighth note triplets.

A double paradiddle in reverse sticking.


Exercise 3

A double paradiddle in standard sticking as sextuplets.

A double paradiddle in standard sticking.


Exercise 4

A double paradiddle in reverse sticking as sextuplets.

A double paradiddle in reverse sticking.


TASK

  1. Using the 2 minute rule, get all 3 exercises up to a tempo of 120bpm.
  2. Try adding crotchet and quaver feet patterns to the sextuplet rhythm.
  3. Experient with various orchestration ideas for each exercise.

Lessons

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