Paradiddle Inversions with the Hi-Hat

This is another idea playing with paradiddle inversions for comping ideas in jazz drumming.

Here we are using three voices - snare drum, bass drum, and the hi-hat - instead of two, so the coordination is a little bit more advanced.

We have looked at splitting the paradiddle between the bass drum and the snare drum as a comping figure in the past. This time we are alternating between the bass drum and the hi-hat on one side while maintaining the snare drum part on the other. This yields two different figures depending on whether you start with the bass drum or the hi-hat.

This is mostly an independence challenge, but you might be able to find some musical ways to phrase the figures in a playing situation.

Practice the figures as swung at slower tempos, and straight as you move up to faster tempos. You can also think about moving the snare drum part around the toms.

Try this with all the basic cymbals patterns: quarter notes, jazz time, shuffle, and upbeat.

Have fun. Make music.