Advanced Rudiments
Flamadiddle, pataflafla, triple ratamacue — the advanced vocabulary
Once you've mastered the basic rudiments, the advanced rudiments open up new textures and possibilities. These are the building blocks of advanced drumming — from orchestral to marching to drum corps.
The Flam
A flam is two strokes played almost simultaneously — a soft "grace note" followed immediately by a loud main note. R L (left grace, right main) or L R (right grace, left main).
The grace note should be played very quietly — it adds depth and weight to the main note without being distinctly heard.
Flams are used everywhere: in drum fills, marching cadences, and orchestral playing.
The Drag and Ruff
A drag is three strokes: two soft grace notes followed by a loud main note. Rr L (right-right grace, left main).
A ruff is similar but with a different sticking: it uses alternating grace notes. The open ruff is R L R, while the closed ruff is a bounced drag.
Drags and ruffs add a rolling, textured sound to drum fills and beats.
Complex Rudiments
Flamadiddle: R L R R L R L L with a flam on the first note of each paradiddle. Essential for marching percussion.
Pataflafla: R L R R L R R L — a flam alternated with two strokes. Sounds like a bouncing ball.
Triple ratamacue: R L R R L R L R L R L L — a complex pattern combining drags, flams, and singles. Used in drum corps solos.
Practice Tips
- ●Learn one advanced rudiment per week
- ●Practice on a practice pad with a metronome
- ●Apply each rudiment to the drum kit — don't just play it on a pad
- ●Watch drum corps videos for inspiration