The dragadiddle #2 (also known as drag paradiddle #2) is the third and last pattern from the drag family of drum rudiments that incorporates the single paradiddle. The dragadiddle #2 is heavily based on the dragadiddle #1. In this free drum lesson, rudimental-pro Lionel Duperron takes you through the various steps needed to master the dragadiddle #2, and shows you how effective the dragadiddle #2 can be when applied to the drum set.
Taking a look at the sheet music below, you can see that the dragadiddle #2 is just like the dragadiddle #1. The only difference between the two drum rudiments is the extra dragged 8th note on the “and” of counts 1 and 3. The dragadiddle #2 is basically an 8th note double stroke where the second note is dragged, followed by a dragged 16th note single paradiddle.
Knowing how to play the dragadiddle #1 will make you master the dragadiddle #2 way faster. Make sure you go through the free drum lesson on the dragadiddle #1 before going through this one.
Exercise #1 is a 16th note half-time drum beat with a broken hi-hat pattern. The dragadiddle #2 is played between the hi-hat and the snare drum. Start by learning how to play the hand pattern at a slow tempo. Focus on memorizing the sticking pattern before you start cleaning it up with a metronome. When you have the hands under control, add the bass drum on count 1. This drum beat has the most simple bass drum pattern of them all. So once you’ve mastered this exercise, feel free to mess around with different bass drum patterns.
Exercise #2 is a variation of exercise #1. The hi-hat pattern on the previous exercise is moved to the bow of the ride cymbal, while the snare strokes on count 3 are played on the hi-tom instead. Add a bass drum stroke on the “and” of count 1 and you’re done. If you took your time with exercise #1, this one should be a walk in the park.
Exercise #3 is a 16th note drum fill where the grace notes from the dragadiddle #2 are played exclusively on the snare drum. The 8th note double strokes are performed on the floor tom on count 1 and on the hi-tom on count 3. The paradiddle is broken up between the snare drum and the floor tom on count 2, and between the snare drum and the hi-tom on count 4.
Exercise #4 uses the same rhythmic pattern as the previous one, but with a different stroke orchestration. The grace notes are played exclusively on the snare drum once again. The first hit of the 8th note double strokes is played on the snare drum, while the second one is executed on the open hi-hat in unison with the bass drum. The paradiddles are broken between the snare drum and the floor tom on count 2, and between the snare drum and the hi-tom on count 4. Don’t forget to close the hi-hat on those same counts.
Once you feel you have nothing more to take from this free drum lesson on the dragadiddle #2, move on to the ratamacues, the last group of drum rudiments from the drag family. This group of drum rudiments encompasses the single, the double, and the triple ratamacue. Start by learning how to play the single ratamacue.