RUDIMENT #38 OF 40 · DRAG RUDIMENTS

Single Ratamacue

The single ratamacue is a drag followed by three singles, with the accent on the last note: llR L R L. The first three notes are a triplet.

Sticking

llR L R L rrL R L R

Capital letters are main notes. Small letters are grace notes played just before the main note.

How to practice it

  1. Play the main notes alone first, without the drags.
  2. Add the drag as a soft, close double stroke from the other hand.
  3. Speed up only when the drags stay quiet and the accents stay clear.
  4. Say it out loud: ra-ta-ma-CUE. The accent at the end is where the name comes from.

Where you will use it

Ratamacues are rudimental snare staples and make good fills when the accent goes to a tom or cymbal.

← Drag Paradiddle #2Double Ratamacue →

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