Paradiddle
//ˈpæɹəˌdɪdəl// noun, verb
noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A percussive exercise (one of 26 drum rudiments per the National Association of Rudimental Drummers or one of 40 per the Percussive Arts Society) which involves playing four even strokes in the order ‘right left right right’ or ‘left right left left.’
"I mean, as a drummer, you're sitting at a practice pad for hours on end, doing paradiddles and all the exercises you learn for your craft."
- 2 the sound of a drum (especially a snare drum) beaten rapidly and continuously wordnet
Verb
- 1 To produce percussive sounds of this kind.
Example
More examples"I mean, as a drummer, you're sitting at a practice pad for hours on end, doing paradiddles and all the exercises you learn for your craft."
Etymology
Imitative. May be related to [Attic] Greek, παραδίδωμι (paradídōmi) 1) to give into the hands (of another) 2) to give over into (one's) power or use 2a) to deliver to one something to keep, use, take care of, manage
Related phrases
More for "paradiddle"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.