Next is to put the bass drum on the 1 and 3 of the count and turn the whole thing into a beat with a good solid 1 2 3 4  pulse and a cool 1/16th note rhythm that only the paraddile can give you.

Once you have got a nice feel happening I want you to open a book of beats and follow through with some simple 1/8th note interval bass and snare combos all the while doing the same hihat pattern. For example 1 2&3 4 or 1 2 3&4 etc. This will sound great once you get comfortable with putting your bass drum in at different spots and different hands as the paraddile unfolds.

Once you have achieved a good feel on the 1/8th note variations of bass and snare then try doing 1/16th note variations on the bass and snare. These will be tricky as offcourse you need to sometimes do alternate hands depending on which count of the paradiddle you are on. Once again consult a good drum book for ideas on beats to play as there are hundreds of combinations you can choose.

This is a great technique to practise as you are working from both ends so to speak, you are doing a good rudiment workout but with a twist in that you are throwing in variations you might not always do. This will bring you improvements in all areas including ideas. Remember to also attempt this exercise with a metronome to really hone it in.

Good luck

Dean Tucker

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