Paradiddle-Five Stroke Roll Ladder

An effective exercise for memorizing rudiments

This exercise combines a single paradiddle with a five stroke roll. However, we're going to make a few modifications to both of those rudiments before putting them together.

Normally, in a paradiddle (RLRR LRLL), each four-note grouping begins with one accented note that is followed by three ghost notes. In this exercise, we will add a second accent on the second note of each grouping.

Then, in the second measure, we will transition into a five stroke roll (RLRLL), where the right notes are accented. The issue here is that you only have time to play three five stroke rolls in this measure so we're going to modify this pattern slightly but replacing the L at the end of the last five stroke roll with a RL. So in the end you get the following: RLRLL RLRLL RLRLRL.

What to focus on

Make sure to pay special attention to the accents. In the paradiddle measure, accents fall on the first and second notes of each grouping. In the five stroke roll measure, accents fall on the first and third notes. The thing that's especially challenging here is the transition from one rudiment and accent pattern to the other and back again.

Start slow and focus on:

Clear distinction between accented and ghost notes
Clean transitions between the two rudiments
Even spacing throughout both patterns
Proper hand technique for both loud and soft notes

Common mistakes to avoid

Losing the accent pattern when switching rudiments
Rushing the modified ending of the five stroke roll measure
Blurring ghost notes
Uneven volume between hands

Start at around 40 BPM and only increase speed when you can cleanly execute both the accented paradiddle and the five stroke roll measures. Pay special attention to the transition points between rudiments.