40 Essential Rudiments
Click above for Vic Firth's great site with the 40 essential rudiments. This is THE site for learning rudiments and the best breakdown I have seen explaining the concepts through audio and video formats. The difference levels (bronze through diamond) within each rudiment provide substantial challenges for drummers of every ability and style.
WHAT IS A RUDIMENT?
Rudiments are rehearsed stick patterns. This is a great working definition of what rudiments are. Many rudiments are familiar even to non-percussionists (drum rolls!). The concept is practicing a sticking pattern repetitiously until it is comfortable. It can then be applied to any musical situation, whether it is in written music or used on the fly in a playing situation. The bigger our vocabulary of rudiments, grooves, fills, etc., the easier it will be to make the most of every musical opportunity. It is comparable to a painter. The more colors he has, the more vivid the picture will be. As it is with rudiments and other practiced stick patterns.
Each rudiment on the VF website is broken down as follows:
1) Basic rudiment.
2) Practical Application.
3) Audio Tracks for basic rudiment at each level (bronze through diamond) at various tempos.
4) Audio Tracks for practical application at each level (bronze through diamond) at various tempos.
5) Video of each basic rudiment from open (slow) to closed (fast) back to open (slow).
HOW CAN I USE THIS TO PRACTICE?
Use the Vic Firth website as a guide to help you when a teacher is not present.
Listen (and follow along) with the musical examples. Then try to play along with the example.
Try different tempos and different levels while maintaining solid technique.
Watch the video of each rudiment to get a big picture view of what we are working on.
WHAT IS A RUDIMENT?
Rudiments are rehearsed stick patterns. This is a great working definition of what rudiments are. Many rudiments are familiar even to non-percussionists (drum rolls!). The concept is practicing a sticking pattern repetitiously until it is comfortable. It can then be applied to any musical situation, whether it is in written music or used on the fly in a playing situation. The bigger our vocabulary of rudiments, grooves, fills, etc., the easier it will be to make the most of every musical opportunity. It is comparable to a painter. The more colors he has, the more vivid the picture will be. As it is with rudiments and other practiced stick patterns.
Each rudiment on the VF website is broken down as follows:
1) Basic rudiment.
2) Practical Application.
3) Audio Tracks for basic rudiment at each level (bronze through diamond) at various tempos.
4) Audio Tracks for practical application at each level (bronze through diamond) at various tempos.
5) Video of each basic rudiment from open (slow) to closed (fast) back to open (slow).
HOW CAN I USE THIS TO PRACTICE?
Use the Vic Firth website as a guide to help you when a teacher is not present.
Listen (and follow along) with the musical examples. Then try to play along with the example.
Try different tempos and different levels while maintaining solid technique.
Watch the video of each rudiment to get a big picture view of what we are working on.