Not every drummer is expected to be a rudimental expert but familiarity with all forty rudiments is highly recommended for each of us. And it isn’t as big a chore as you might think. If one new rudiment is studied and learned each week, it is only a matter of about 6 months to learn all 26 Standard American Drum Rudiments and 8 months to learn all 40 International Drum Rudiments. That certainly is not a great amount of time.
Keep in mind that they are combinations. When compared to the 5- and 9- Stroke Rolls, the 13- and 17-Stroke Rolls are basically the same technique....short rolls that alternate sticks. When compared to the 7-Stroke Roll, the 11- and 15-Stroke Rolls are the same...non-alternating short rolls with more notes. Compared to the Single Paradiddle, the Double and Triple Paradiddles again are the same technique only with additional single strokes. The same holds true with the Ratamacues, Drag Taps, and any single stroke or Flam based rudiments.
Of course, it is very time consuming and sometimes tedious to practice 40 drum rudiments every day. To help alleviate that, I’ve compiled a Daily Rudiment Practice schedule that covers six days. [I’m a firm believer in taking one day a week off from practicing, not only to avoid getting stale but to give the arm, wrist and finger muscles a rest.] Each day of this schedule contains 6 or 7 rudiments and covers all the different basic groups.....singles, doubles, paradiddles, drags, short rolls, etc. If unable to practice each day, the schedule could be used each practice session.
By using this system, each basic group is practiced each day or practice session, but using a different rudiment from each group. This gives practice to all the rudiments and eliminates the boredom that can occur when trying to practice the same ones every practice session.
(Based on a lesson from Mat Marucci’s book “Mastering The Snare Drum”)
The Percussive Art Society International Drum Rudiments List is pictured below.
Mat Marucci's performing credits include jazz greats Jimmy Smith, Kenny Burrell, James Moody, Eddie Harris, Buddy De Franco, Les McCann, Pharoah Sanders, and John Tchicai among others and has numerous critically acclaimed recordings to his credit as both leader and sideman.
Mat is the author of several books on drumming and has written numerous articles on drumming for Modern Drummer and Downbeat magazines. He is an endorser for Zildjian, Vic Firth, Remo and formerly both Gretsch and Mapex.
Mat's latest books with Mel Bay Publications are 'Mastering The Snare Drum' and 'Essential Snare Drum Exercises' (both reviewed on Not So Modern Drummer) and 'Jazz Drumming Essentials....And More.' His music and discography can found at Spotify.com and Reverbnation.com and can be heard on most streaming platforms.