The Ultimate Paradiddle Lesson? (ALL Inversions)

Dorothea Taylor isn’t just the godmother of drumming…she’s also the queen of rudiments. Did you know that these popular drumming patterns make up the bulk of a lot of the grooves, chops, and fills you hear on your favorite albums or in your favorite drum videos?
Paradiddles are Dorothea’s go-to because they’re so versatile. There are four ways to play a paradiddle (we call them ‘inversions’):
0:00 - Intro
0:36 - Standard paradiddle: RLRR LRLL
1:12 - Inversion 1: RLLR LRRL
1:40 - Inversion 2: RRLR LLRL
2:04 - Inversion 3: RLRL LRLR
Think of it like shifting the RLRR pattern down a circular conveyor belt until it comes back out the end you started on!
Once you get used to playing paradiddles and inverted paradiddles on a single surface, try them in a groove on the drum kit and break the rights and lefts between snare and hi-hat, snare and toms, or other surfaces. Add ghost notes and dynamics to give the groove more feel.
If you didn’t think there were even more ways to do cool things with paradiddles, well…there are.
2:34 - Accenting
You can play each inversion (variation) four different ways by putting the accent on a different beat. Try to only accent the 1s, then only accent the 2s, then the 3s, then the 4s.
For example, here’s how you’d shift the accents on a regular paradiddle:
1. Rlrr Lrll
2. rLrr lRll
3. rlRr lrLl
4. rlrR lrlL
Four paradiddle variations, and four variations on each of those: that’s 16 ways to play a paradiddle!
Once you learn these paradiddle variations well enough to play them in your sleep, you’ll find yourself using them all the time. You may not realize you’re playing rudiments when you’re sprinkling these concepts into your beats and fills, but they’ll take your stick control and creativity to the next level.
If you enjoyed this video, you can learn much more from Dorothea so you can play faster and tighter - with a Drumeo membership! Try it out for 7-days FREE here: www.drumeo.com/trial
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#drums #paradiddle #drumeo

[@papateachme]

Omg this is the only time a paradiddle lesson has actually got through to me!!! I love it

[@dtdrummerlady]

I’m happy to hear that 😊👍

[@Tardisntimbits]

I don't actually play drums, I play guitar, but there's something captivating about watching Dorothea teach and play that makes me come back to watch her. Much love from Canada!

[@DrumeoOfficial]

She has that affect on people for sure!

[@dtdrummerlady]

Thank you 😊

[@user-fg5pm8pk9k]

I use paradiddle for play the guitar. R - downstroke, L - upstroke. I am from Russia. Sorry for my bad English

[@shugyoforyou211]

Get a pair of sticks and a practice pad. It can only help your timing, meter and feel

[@vineflower]

Me too, I watch only her videos on drumeo for now!

[@thejackal007]

I never tire of seeing Dorothea teach us rudiments. She breaks them all down into such simple, bite-sized chunks that are easy to work with.

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Glad to hear it!

[@fluttershift]

​@@DrumeoOfficial More videos for those who just have 2 sticks and an Evans Reel Feel Pad.

[@auraandtheowls]

God Dorothea is one of the best drum teachers ever, watching her play too is so amazing because of how well practiced she is.

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Wow, thank you Daniel!

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Sista Dee’s a treasure, man ❤️ Great lesson

[@RockinExperience]

By far the BEST teacher. She puts it so simply, that I don't have to rewind to understand the lesson. 🍎 for the teacher!

[@DrumeoOfficial]

So glad to hear this!

[@dtdrummerlady]

Thanks so much Tommy 🙏

[@sambell385]

I rewinded 68 times ! stupid i quess🤷🏽‍♂️

[@dtdrummerlady]

@@sambell385 😊 I hope you didn’t have any problems. They are fun… try them

[@sambell385]

@@dtdrummerlady no not at all I was just being silly ! we love you tons keep doing what you’re doing I love drums I started lessons once but they were too expensive and life was too busy, that was when I was in my early 30s and now I am 56 ready for my second round

[@chrispierce1305]

This is one of those times when I wished that KZbin had a LOVE button. Great vid!!

[@oxouk]

If a teacher told me to practice rudiments I would not be interested. However, if they gave me a lesson then showed me how great it sounds once applied, then I would give it my all. Dorothea does a great job of doing such.

[@DrumeoOfficial]

❤️❤️

[@dtdrummerlady]

🙏😊

[@oxouk]

@mothflap Too bad your English teacher didn’t say “You should place importance in grammar”.

[@oxouk]

@mothflap You’re adorable 🥰

[@geegeemcgee9135]

My teacher was a man in his 70's. He played the coolest triplet solo I'd ever heard. I wish I'd have recorded him, since I'll never hear it again. He has since passed away.

[@mountainhobbit1971]

"if you use the ghost notes it just makes it tasty" YES! She is the 'grandmother' of rudiments and 'putting the diddle in the middle'. ;-)

[@stoney5137]

I know it's her gimmick, and she's way too good of a drummer for me to be distracted by it but...... Having grandma talk about a lick on drums and calling it "Tasty" is just freaking awesome! I would love to see her back stage after a show and be like "Would you like some fresh baked chcololate chip cookies and an after show bump?"

[@Chiroman527]

Watching the GodMother of Drumming makes it look so easy. I'm 70 YO, retired, and i have resurrected playing drums after 50 Years (1969). I play to My Music about 1 hours a day, in my Finished Bsement for personal enjoyment. BUT I always seek to try to step by step, get Better. Sister D's instructions breaks down the Paradiddles like No other. I still have my original Drum sticks, Remo Practice Pad, and initial Music book when I started lessons in 1966. I won't be playing any GIGs, unless someone locally starts up a Geriatric band, but being able to play an instrument is just a very satisfying feeling. And of Course, Drumming is in the Blood. As Sonny & Cher sang soooo many years ago (1965), "The Beat Goes On".

[@PhillipConleyJr.]

The way that snare is tuned is giving me life!!

[@scottgerling]

This is the most thorough demonstration of paradiddles I've ever seen and I have been drumming since 1979. Wow lady! Ahhhmazing!

[@MrGorgar66]

Moving accents in Paradiddles was the way for me, to improve my ghostnotes to a level, I never thought I could reach. I love you Mam!

[@josephiousbrosif]

Someone out there has the coolest grandma ever!

[@chadcarrdrums]

What a lovely lady with a great gift for not only playing, but explaining stickings in a clear and concise way.

[@davidmay3852]

Another great display! Dorothea Taylor not only shows how to get our hands in shape, but gets the groove going!😎

[@leptonyx1129]

Watching Dorothea on these rudiments was awesome and inspiring.

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Glad to hear it!

[@Shinare73]

My favorite use of paradiddles in music is that part in sultans of swing

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Haha I know exactly what you're talking about 😏

[@dtdrummerlady]

Yes! 😀

[@Joe-zk7ps]

This? kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmHJl3yAbL-Carc

[@Shinare73]

@@Joe-zk7ps yes! 👍

[@DennisJohnsonDrummer]

Definitely the most versatile rudiment. Thanks for sharing your talents.

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Cheers Dennis!

[@goesfastandfar]

What a great breakdown of how versatile the paradiddle can be when you move the accents around and get creative with them. A great teacher who wears very cool drumming shoes too!

[@warren_r]

This is the PERFECT Drumeo video: Dorothea Taylor, stunning drum kit, unbelievable sound (especially the kick), a lesson on a very important drum rudiment, easily understandable on-screen graphics..... great job to everyone involved!

[@jodyguilbeaux8225]

out of all the books and videos, this is the 1st time when anyone mention INVERSIONS. She is a great teacher,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,thank you.

[@paulforrest6000]

Your calm demeanor, uncluttered instructions and excellent demos set you apart as a great teacher. Thank you Dorethea.

[@dtdrummerlady]

Thank you Paul

[@TrevorNortondrummer]

Very well explained. If only Thomas Lang could slow down and teach us some thing. Great teacher Dorothea. Slow and steady wins the race.

[@joelisaac2242]

it was feeling so rhythmic...and what great teaching too....at this age doing all of these is just unbelievable!!!

[@christinefilas9392]

Typical of this damn ageist country U.S.A. What are we supposed to lay down and die after age 50? I'm a 71 year old broad who just started playing again after a 40 year hiatus. I'm resigned to playing in my garage with music tracks because 71 year old broads aren't welcome as drummers in bands.

[@Fruizi]

So just because you are old means you are supposed to have no skills, everything in your life that you aquired amounts to nothing and you should be treated as ''that old thing'' instead of just an ordinary ''person''. Why do you guys treat older individuals like that? They are no different from you.

[@maryburns9482]

I love this Dorthea!! Thank you so much for this video!! You are awesome!!

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Cheers, Mary!

[@CameronFleury]

Great stuff! 🤓

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Thanks Cameron!

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

Such fun to see this lady. She is so positive… thank you.

[@xbjrrtc]

More Dorothea videos, please! Love her 🤩

[@MattiusFincham]

Dorothea, you're a marvelous teacher and a phenomenal player!

[@Zero_Ego]

Put the diddle in the middle of two diddles. (The last one) I just love this exercise/technique. One of my absolute favourites. It opens up your mind to the seemingly endless combinations especially when you expand and apply them to other rudiments such as the Six Stroke Roll and it's inversions. Thanks Dorothea and great to see you back behind the kit. Great chops. Hugs from Downunder.

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Endless possibilities, for sure. Cheers Steve!

[@dtdrummerlady]

Thanks so much Steve

[@pipelin6195]

That's impressive.

[@torcolts19]

Paradiddles are an endless supply of funk beats

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Very true

[@Alfredolunafoto1]

Excellent teacher! Congratulations Drumeo

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Thanks!

[@rebeccalucas6063]

I first saw her on TikTok, she's amazing 🤩

[@sarlaccstapeworm990]

This lady's AWESOME!!😁👍

[@kaceesavage]

I love the paradiddle and I love Dorothea’s teaching.

[@sichothe_rock7201]

Dorothea is icon for us beginners from all the world. Kazakhstan is also here🇰🇿🤘

[@violetgraves7098]

the best drum lessons inspire passion for fundamentals

[@brandonleesmith1989]

Dorothea, you are a huge inspiration! I love watching your lessons and seeing you shine!

[@Imadrummin]

How cool. I just found this. Awesome Dorothea. I've been drummin for 53 years now. You are never to old to be drummin!!! Love it.

[@PinwheelHomes]

Wow. I’ve got my drum exercises set for an entire year with just this one video. 2022 is set. Thanks Dorothea and Drumeo

[@JamisonRacin08]

That snare sounds 🔥

[@fastfiddler1625]

What a great motivator. A lot of times boring musical rudiments just silently work skills in the background. A three octave minor scale on violin is something you just... do, because the teacher says it'll make you better. Seeing how a simple rudiment can become literally a cool fill should motivate anyone to break out that practice pad.

[@dalatina911]

I found this at the perfect time! I’ve really been trying to work on my rudiments lately - they always seemed a bit intimidating to me. But right now I’m focusing on my paradidddles and 5-stroke rolls, so this helps me tremendously!!

[@marcush5771]

Dorothea is so good!

[@damagecase3370]

She's the best ever

[@forthefunofit5487]

I love her. she knows her drums and how to play!!

[@spollock131]

I'm a tap dancer (not a drummer). It's so interesting knowing that tap dance came as a result of drumming. The beat and name (paradiddle) is completely replicated as a step in tap dance - and we practice our inversions too!

[@bumblebee9875]

This ain't drumming!! This is " Funning" Dorothea always inspires💖

[@StuartJrBarrett]

She’s excellent! I love how she teaches the lesson, extremely precise and functional!!

[@ili626]

Such an excellent teacher and musician

[@bmartin1470]

Great lesson. I luv my Drumeo membership. Such a diverse group of instructors that all bring passion to their drumming. Thx Dorothea

[@pandanarkystudios5198]

Taking these to the pad in a bit, never thought to change it up like this at all. Loving it

[@joeynice123]

What a a rad lady. Much respect. Love the inversion adjustments.

[@johnsantapietro1521]

Awesome lesson, Dorothea. I'm definitely saving this. Thanks!!

[@klchu]

Love that drum set!

[@michaelpridgen9619]

She worked at McFadden Music in Myrtle Beach back in the early 2000s and I loved seeing her in the drum section!

[@drcardinalli]

What an awesome teacher❣️

[@simonhague-lindley5428]

I've been watching you for a while now and you are true to your name "The Godmother Of Drums". I've played drums for over 20 years now and you still always teach me something new or a new/better way of what I already know. Thank you for being an inspiration

[@biglurp7040]

That kit is sweet!!!! Thank you for all your videos I would be so lost without them!!!

[@jorjo.drummer]

What a gem! You rock Dee!

[@lianagarcia7499]

Love these episodes and love Dorothea!❤️

[@sandstorm7476]

This is so simple. And it blew my mind.

[@gabrielmoreno9455]

Great class, please more Dorothea videos like this!

[@IDontTalkToCops]

What a great lesson. Thanks

[@Tonyclaret1]

Awesome Dorothea !!!

[@JayJohnson4x4]

Dorothy has chops! love her!

[@ThePremel]

Love her explaining slowly and pédagogy

[@khalidamajoud4114]

Just discovered this fountain of energy...Great instructions, simple to follow and effective. 👍👍

[@SuperAliScott]

best teacher you couldn't be! tnaks!

[@theredbaron057]

This is an invaluable lesson to advancing rudiments around the kit. Excellent video, wonderful instructor.

[@thehangmansaxe]

Excellent teacher!!

[@jakegrist8487]

Wow. This is amazing. This is the kind of drum video KZbin has needed. Very nicely done!

[@bonzeroo]

Great lesson! Thank you!

[@tamacandyapplered3394]

She has a natural teaching ability that makes you want to learn what she is showing you, she's an amazing drummer and an probably the best teacher of drums there is because of her kind and motherly way about her , she could make any good drummer into a great drummer just because of her and how kind and nice her demeanor is and ,she is badass

[@robbyboy03]

Thank you Dorothea for such a brilliant tuition. Made me realise we could do this type of thing with any of the rudiments. X

[@juliandancingshadow4959]

I like it when you get straight to the point. thanks

[@debralynnpaxton5238]

Spectacular!

[@obscenery]

This is my first time seeing one of your lessons and it's AWESOME! thank you.

[@MattMendians]

Very true I learned this almost 30 years ago from my teacher and I use these patterns always in my playing. Although I’m out of practice right now! Augh!

[@sahandrums]

Thank you for this great lesson 💙💙💙

[@DrumeoOfficial]

our pleasure!

[@joetroutt7425]

I've learned all those inversions and even go through all the progressions of them without stopping but now I have to learn the different accents. Ghosting the diddles is not easy when I'm so use to playing all notes evenly. Lol

[@acucore77]

Thanks Dorothea and Drumeo, so much knowledge in a short clip 😊

[@potatoheadhaoy]

Dorothea is such a beast. Granny whooping our asses into shape with those chops!

[@Dogdrum]

Nice lesson! Very thorough but well explained. Good lesson delivery! Thank you!

[@amphionification]

what a fantastic drummer

[@ex0148]

As a new drummer a couple months into my journey, I found this video information overload for the pace of the video. I realise for seasoned drummers this is child's play...

[@PerEinarSkog]

awesome drummer and wonderful teacher

[@slaszlo9088]

Fantastic !

[@RedCymbals]

Amazing lesson!

[@drums2383]

Best paraddle teacher~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!

[@JulianFernandez]

whoever suggested to use the Gadd snare for this one... nicely done!

[@dtdrummerlady]

It was such fun playing it!!

[@JulianFernandez]

@@dtdrummerlady you kill Dorothea. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@kevinmercer8913]

Yay Dorothea great job!

[@pubglitenoobee4484]

Thanks Again for another Lesson...Ma'am Dorothea and whole Drumeo family❤️

[@deviantaffinity1626]

She's so cool!

[@TreasureTrain]

nothin better than seeing dorothea back in the lab

[@Diatonic5th]

Great lesson!

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Thanks!

[@dbruestle3]

This is good stuff. Thanx