The 5 Most Underrated Drum Rudiments (And Why You Should Learn Them)

Have you been writing the same drum parts over and over again? Are you looking for some new patterns to add to your arsenal?

You’re in luck: the answer to your problem was right under your nose this entire time.

In this quick video lesson, Dorothea Taylor shares five less-popular rudiments that you can use to build into your drum parts.

0:00 - Intro
Dorothea has decades of experience teaching and playing marching snare. These rudiments deserve more love, and they may be just what you need to upgrade your drum fills (and beats and solos), whether you keep them on the snare drum or move them down the toms:

0:33 - 1. Single Ratamacue
The single ratamacue pattern sounds like ‘ra-ta-ma-CUE’, with an accent at the end. Make sure you get a nice clean drag on those grace notes.

2:08 - 2. Swiss Army Triplets
Flam-right-left. That’s the Swiss Army Triplet!

3:35 - 3. Double Drag Tap
It’s in the name: two drags and a tap. Double Drag Tap.

4:37 - 4. Drag Paradiddle #1
Drag Paradiddle #1 starts with a single stroke. Then a drag takes you into the paradiddle.

6:08 - 5. Grandma’s
This hybrid rudiment (meaning it’s not found on the list of 40 standard rudiments) consists of a paradiddle with an accent on the second note, followed by an accented tap.

Remember to practice all of these slowly and regularly until you have them clean and tight.

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[Gil_]

This is a much better video showcasing Dorothea’s skills than the previous ones. Really hammers how useful rudiments are

[sheyna]

Cool grandma! I'm a fan! Im always looking up to you, a drummer girl also like me. Thanks for your life. You're a LEGEND

[eidolonian]

Dorothea is as good a teacher as she is a drummer - awesome on both accounts. Really enjoyed watching this, thank you :)

[toddshook]

It’s amazing how you can a basic rudiment and turn it up. Just started learning (at 59) and learning so much. All these tips are making it more fun.
Thanks

[jamiemacdonald]

Honestly don't know if Dorothea is a better drummer or a better instructor. I'm a musician, but not a drummer and the way she explains techniques and how to apply them is top notch!

[darklink]

I love her so much. She has such solid chops and plays so well on top of having an amazing personality. Absolutely awesome.

[thomasmoje]

Dorothea you rock! One of the basic rudiments I find a lot of people don't play correctly is a flam..more often than not it's played more like simultaneous notes played with both sticks rather than the grace note and primary note combination. I was taught long ago to hold the grace note stick about an inch or inch and a half above the head, the primary note stick almost straight up, and simply let them drop at the same time. The law of physics (the grace note stick will strike the head just before the primary note) guarantees a proper flam. I play snare drum in two pipe bands and proper flam execution is one of the first rudiments I teach my students. Excellent video I'll bookmark it.

[nickcarter]

It's 2022 and the world FINALLY understands how to play Ratamacues - thanks to Dorothea!

[jibberish]

As a former marching band player, I love applying rudiments to the kit. In both grove and fills contexts.

[hillarycourchaine]

Absolutely the coolest grandma drummer ever, As a drummer of 3 years. I've haven't used these rudiments in a while deffinetly gonna use them more because Dorthea inspires me alot to become a better drummer and inspires many other people to take up drumming.

[Chiroman]

Love Dorethea and her being a proponent of the Rudiments. Great teacher !!. Best Grandma ever!!. She is 1 year older than I. In 2019, I was able to resurrect my playing drums after 50 Years (1969). Watching her and the many other terrific drummers on this and other Channels, has educated me immensely. I don't play GIGs, only recreationally, playing about 1 hour a day to My Music at Home: CCR, Mellencamp, Stones, Beatles, Clapton, Winwood, Cars, Talking Heads, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and many more, including Linda Ronstadt & Bonnie Rait . Who knows, maybe someday soon, a bunch of geriatric musicians audition for a "drummer" in like age.
Dee, should give a Tuning lesson. Love the sound she has achieved form her kit! I only strive and struggle through my ignorance to get my PdP Concept Maple Kit to sound neraly as good. God Bless Dee.... you are an astute instructor.

[liamglasel]

Can we get a video of Dorothy absolutely smashing out a crazy rudiments inspired drum solo?
Lady's a legend in my eyes.

[dalesdrumchannelzero]

I've always been a big fan of the Ratamacue. Single, double, triple, it doesn't matter. A very underrated rudiment. Thank you Dorothea .

[menzerroku]

Hey drumeo!! Thank you for this drum lesson😀 Dorothea is a very patient and good drummer.

[sprinklesthedrummer]

The way she switched to the Moller stokes on the faster Swiss Triplets! That's that MAGIC! Quality of playing that takes decades!!

[JanGottschau]

Awesome as always, thank you Dorothea and Drumeo 😌

[johnh]

Thank you Dorothea, that was totally instructive for this beginning drummer :)

[tanvarma]

Thank you for these! I'm a guitarist venturing into the rhythm world and it's helping my guitar immensely. Please please please do more of these rudiment videos. I love practicing these!

[vergon]

That drag paradiddle is OFF THE HOOK!! Totally stealing that!

[stevewilcock]

Cheers Dorothea, Cheers Drumeo.
Inspiring.
Many thanks.