Drum techniques

A collection of terms used to describe methods used by percussionists in warm-ups and music alike, which do not tend to appear in other musical sections. The main reason for this is because many drum techniques involve the distinction between the left drum stick and the right drum stick. Drum techniques are similar in a manner to drumspeak, in that few people outside the percussion section recognize their meaning. They differ, however, in that drumspeak focuses on the sound produced, while drum techniques focus on the sticking used to achieve it. (Compare to drumspeak.)

Examples of drum techniques:

• the flam
• the paradiddle
• the flamadiddle
• the open roll
• the buzz roll

Also called rudiments. The practice of them helps one to develop some of the coordination required to play percussion instruments well, though the rudiments are generally for snare drum. If they're for something else, like mallets, they're called mallet techniques. Some instructors will emphasize rudiments right off the bat, and some will never touch on them at all. Personally, I think it is important to know them all, especially if you are a percussion major in college.