paradiddle

Meaning

Noun

A percussive exercise (one of 26 drum rudiments per the National Association of Rudimental Drummers or one of 40 per the Percussive Arts Society) which involves playing four even strokes in the order ‘right left right right’ or ‘left right left left.’

Verb

To produce percussive sounds of this kind.

Synonyms

drum roll

roll

drumbeat

Translations

Paradiddle

قَرْع الطَّبْل

τυμπανισμός

roulement de tambour

rullio

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈpæɹəˌdɪdəl/

Etymology

Imitative. May be related to [Attic] Greek, παραδίδωμι (paradídōmi) 1) to give into the hands (of another) 2) to give over into (one's) power or use 2a) to deliver to one something to keep, use, take care of, manage