Supplement 19E: The Flam Paradiddle | Part 3 of 4

The flam paradiddle is a demanding rudiment: each hand alternates four tap strokes in a row, with the last stroke also serving as the prep for the coming accent. Keep the unaccented notes relaxed and low to the head, almost like rebound notes, while the wrist turn comes into play on that final prep stroke. Try separating the hands — one on a quiet surface, one on the pad or snare — then reverse it, focusing on control and sound rather than speed, since the run of same-hand strokes can make speed a challenge at first (Supplement 19E, which also includes a variety of other flam exercises mixed in).