There are eight “missing” diddle (paradiddle) fundamental stickings in the list below: The tap diddle, right paradiddle, left paradiddle, five-a diddle, triplet diddle, ruff-a diddle, seven-a-diddle, and the paradiddle-diddle-diddle.
They are logical extensions of the four traditional paradiddle rudiments in the PAS 40 (Percussive Arts Society 40 International Rudiments); the single, double and triple paradiddles and the paradiddle-diddle.
Are the missing rudiments actually missing? Not really. Drummers have been playing them on the snare drum or drum set for many, many years. Where they ARE missing is in the printed rudiment lists in many standard instruction books, on the wall posters and on thousands of internet pages and videos. Most of these sources are based on the standard PAS 40 rudiments that have not been updated since 1984. The PAS 40 rudiments are limited mostly to the short phrases, rhythms and stickings used in military bands’ music and drumming patterns that were the main communication for battle movements and organizing camp life. After the Civil War, the growth of double drumming in theaters—one drummer playing popular music on a bass drum and a snare drum at the same time with two sticks—evolved into the bass drum pedal and drum set around 1900. New fundamental stickings emerged as drummers started playing multiple instruments in the rhythms of new music like ragtime and Dixieland jazz.
Many of the “missing” stickings added have precedents found in older instruction books and manuals of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as in the “ancient” military rudiment systems of Europe since the 14th century. The Missing Rudiments book is based on those missing rudiments and modern stickings that are in use today. This is a controversial subject, especially among traditionalists. I ask that you actually play them for a few days or weeks before you form your opinion. I think they will grow on you. There are more detailed explanations and musical transcription examples in my book, The Missing Rudiments. You can buy the downloadable and printable pdf version of it for $10 in the NSMD Store.
