What does paradiddle mean?
Paradiddle is a specialized percussion term for a rapid roll on a drum, produced by quickly and regularly alternating strokes of the sticks. As a noun, it names the roll itself, as in “a loud paradiddle”; as a verb, it means to play such a roll. The word is used chiefly in discussions of drumming, percussion notation, and musical performance rather than for a slow, measured sequence of beats. A paradiddle is more specific than a general drum roll: its defining feature is the speed and regularity of the strokes, which create a continuous or buzzing impression. In writing, the term has a technical or specialist tone, though it is natural and expressive in musicians’ own comments. Knowing it can make descriptions of drum notation and performance easier to understand, especially in passages involving fills, crescendos, or dramatic transitions between quieter accompaniment and a louder rhythmic passage.
A rapid roll on a drum, produced by quickly and regularly alternating strokes of the drumsticks.
"A sudden paradiddle filled the space between the two verses."
Countable and usually used in specialist contexts involving drumming or percussion notation.
To play a rapid roll on a drum by quickly and regularly alternating strokes of the drumsticks.
"The drummer paradiddled across the tom during the transition."
Normally intransitive; it describes the action of playing the roll.
Countable; the standard plural is paradiddles.
"The lesson includes several paradiddles at different speeds."
A paradiddle turns a rapid series of separate drum strokes into a seemingly continuous roll.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does paradiddle come from?
The word appeared in English in the early nineteenth century as an imitative expression for the rapid sound produced by drumsticks. It has remained associated with percussion performance. The precise internal formation of the word is uncertain, so it should not confidently be assigned to a particular English or foreign root.
Related word forms
How paradiddle is actually used
Specialized percussion terminology. As a noun, it refers to the roll itself; as a verb, it usually means to play such a roll. It has a technical tone in general writing but is natural in discussion of drumming, percussion notation, and musical performance.
Easily confused with paradiddle
A paradiddle is a rapid drum roll made by regularly alternating stick strokes, whereas a tattoo is more specifically a drum signal or performance pattern used to convey commands.