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Glite Dictionary
paradiddle

paradiddle

1 9.9
A drum pattern of single and double hits that makes a fast steady sound on a snare drum
  • noun
  • /ˈpærəˌdɪdəl/
  • Jargon
: paradiddle
  • So then I found myself in the Camp Polk stockade, where they started to do drum paradiddles on my head... ...for some time.
  • a flam paradiddle
  • paradiddle-diddles

Note then group of four quintuplets keeping the paradiddle going the same sticking.

Examples

  • During the drum lesson, the teacher explained that a paradiddle consists of alternating single and double strokes.

  • Hey, Dad, look at my paradiddle.

    Whiplash (2014)

  • Note then group of four quintuplets keeping the paradiddle going the same sticking.

    Rick Beato

  • The drummer practiced a paradiddle to improve his speed and coordination on the snare drum.

  • As part of her routine, she incorporated a paradiddle to add variety to her drumming exercises.

Surface Forms

paradiddle singular
paradiddles plural

Etymology

The word paradiddle comes from the sound teachers used to teach the drum pattern, using the bits para- and diddle to copy the quick 'single' and 'double' strokes. So a paradiddle is that repeating drum pattern of one 'single' stroke followed by a 'double', and the name helps you remember its sound.