paradiddle

[ par-uh-did-l ]

noun

1. an exercise or sequence performed typically on the snare drum, marked by four basic beats with alternation of the right hand and left hand on successive strong beats, and begun and ended slowly with a dramatic increase in tempo in the middle.

paradiddle

/ ˈpærəˌdɪdəl /

noun

1. a group of four drum beats produced by using alternate sticks in the pattern right-left-right-right or left-right-left-left

Word History and Origins

Origin of paradiddle¹

1925–30; staccato syllables partly imitative; diddle ²; perhaps with para- ¹ facetiously representing the alternation

Word History and Origins

Origin of paradiddle¹

C20: of imitative origin