Drum Rudiments Practice Routine for Beginners – Part 11

Rudiments are the building blocks of drumming — the essential hand patterns that give you control, speed, and creativity on the drum kit.

In this 11th part of our Drum Practice Routine Series, we’ll break down a beginner-friendly rudiment routine that builds muscle memory while preparing you to apply them musically across the kit.

At Drum Lessons In Home, I help students not just memorize rudiments — but actually use them in grooves, fills, solos, and improvisation.

🥁 What Are Drum Rudiments?

They’re repeatable sticking patterns used to build technique and control.

Popular rudiments include:

• Single Stroke Roll (R L R L...)

• Double Stroke Roll (R R L L...)

• Paradiddle (R L R R, L R L L)

• Flam (grace note followed by accented note)

• Drag (two grace notes before a main stroke)

🧠 Why Rudiments Matter

✅ Improve hand coordination
✅ Build speed with control
✅ Add creativity to fills and grooves
✅ Train you to play musically and cleanly

🕒 30-Minute Rudiments Practice Routine for Beginners

1. Warm-Up: Singles & Doubles (5 min)

Use a metronome at 60 bpm and work up to 80 bpm.

• 1 min single strokes

• 1 min double strokes

• 1 min switch between singles & doubles

• 1 min accents every 4th note

• 1 min rest/stretch

🎯 Focus on full strokes, wrist control, and even sound.

2. Paradiddle Flow (10 min)

Practice alternating paradiddles:

• R L R R → L R L L

• Play 4 bars on pad or snare

• Then try on hi-hat and snare

• Move accents to different notes (e.g., ghosted Ls with accented Rs)

You can combine this with Part 10’s speed drills to challenge tempo and rebound.

3. Rudiments Around the Kit (10 min)

Take basic rudiments and apply them creatively.

• Singles on snare → move each hit to a new drum

• Doubles between snare and toms

• Paradiddles with accents on toms or cymbals

• Flams between snare and floor tom

Use the feel of Part 8’s improvisation exercises to loosen things up.

4. Rudiment Fills (5 min)

Create simple fills using:

• Paradiddles → snare, tom 1, tom 2

• Flams → snare into crash

• Doubles → split between hands and feet

End with a short 4-bar solo combining any patterns you’ve practiced.

💡 Teaching Tip:

Don’t rush through them. Rudiments are like learning words — you have to use them in context to make them stick.

In in-home lessons, I show students how to apply rudiments to songs they already love — so practice never feels boring or disconnected.

📍 In-Home Drum Lessons Available In:

• Redondo Beach

• Torrance

• Gardena

• Manhattan Beach

• Palos Verdes

Reach out here to book your first personalized lesson.

📞 Contact Info:

In-Home Drum Lessons by David Montoya
📞 310-502-4413
🌐 www.drumlessonsinhome.com