Author's Note:

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The term "rudiment" refers to a foundation, a beginning, or a basic concept of something; fundamental knowledge. On the snare drum, rudiments are short rhythmic patterns and figures that form the basis of more complex rhythmic phrases and solos. In 1984, the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) established a list of 40 rudiments, which remains the standard to this day. This book focuses specifically on this list and its elements.

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The book contains 120 different exercises, organized into 8 chapters and spanning 24 pages, covering the following topics:

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• Single Strokes (One-Handed Exercises);

• Alternating Strokes (Single Stroke Roll);

• Tremolo (Multiple Bounce Roll);

• Double Strokes (Double Stroke);

• Sequences of Double Strokes (Double Stroke Roll);

• Combinations of Single and Double Strokes (Diddle Rudiments);

• Rudiments with Single Grace Notes (Flam Rudiments);

• Rudiments with Double Grace Notes (Drag Rudiments).

 

Rudiments are often perceived as dry, purely technical knowledge. The goal of this book is to demonstrate their use in a musical context. The exercises in this book are partly derived from my teaching practice and partly selected from materials I encountered during my education. They are designed to introduce rudiments in a gradual and well-structured way. The main criteria for selecting the exercises in this book have been their practicality and applicability.

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Master of Musical Arts
Goran Evetović