Rudiments in Action: How to Use Drum Rudiments in Your Fills (Part 22)
You’ve probably practiced paradiddles, double strokes, and flams on a pad. But are you applying them to your drum fills? In Part 22 of our Drum Practice Routine Series, we focus on bridging the gap between technique and musical creativity by applying rudiments across the kit.
This routine is perfect for beginner and intermediate drummers looking to make their fills sound cleaner, faster, and more musical.
🎯 Why Use Rudiments in Fills?
✅ Turns technique into music
✅ Builds control at faster speeds
✅ Creates memorable and dynamic fills
✅ Makes transitions sound smoother
🥁 30-Minute Routine: Applying Rudiments to Drum Fills
1. Warm-Up on Pad or Snare (5 min)
Use a metronome at 70–80 bpm. Play:
Single Stroke Roll (RLRL)
Double Stroke Roll (RRLL)
Paradiddle (RLRR LRLL)
🎯 Keep strokes even — aim for clean rebounds.
2. Move Rudiments Around the Kit (10 min)
Apply each to toms, snare, and kick:
Paradiddle fill: R (rack) L (floor) R (snare) R (snare)
Double stroke: RR on rack, LL on floor
RLRL: Move around clockwise
🔗 Related: Part 13 – Drum Fills You Need to Know
3. Practice Groove-to-Fill Transitions (10 min)
Play 3 bars groove, 1 bar fill using:
Paradiddles
Flams (L flam, R flam)
6-note rolls: RLRLRK or RLKKRL
🎯 Always resolve cleanly on beat 1 of next measure
4. Free Fills Using Rudiments (5 min)
Use any rudiment — be creative!
Mix:
Snare & tom voices
Ghost notes
Kick underneath patterns
🎯 Record and review — is it musical or mechanical?
💡 Teaching Tip:
Don’t think of rudiments as drills. They’re drumming language — learn to speak fluently, and your fills will start making musical statements.
📍 In-Home Drum Lessons Available In:
Redondo Beach
Torrance
Gardena
Manhattan Beach
Palos Verdes
Want hands-on help? Book a lesson today and get personalized instruction right in your home.
📞 Contact Info:
IN-HOME DRUM LESSONS BY DAVID MONTOYA
📞 310-502-4413
🌐 WWW.DRUMLESSONSINHOME.COM
