Single Ratamacue

Learn How To Play The Single Ratamacue

The single ratamacue is the first in a series of related "ratamacue" rudiments. It's simple structure is made up of single strokes combined with a few drag strokes. This pattern is typically played with a triplet feel, and that makes it work well within Jazz, Latin, and other world styles of music. Here is the basic structure:

This pattern begins with a right-handed drag that starts a group of triplet notes, and ends with a single stroke on the left hand. That whole pattern then repeats with left-hand lead to complete the single ratamacue rudiment. Start out slow, and speed up as you become more comfortable with the pattern.

Single Ratamacue - Drum Set Applications

Exercise two makes use of the single ratamacue within a drum beat:

The final exercise uses the single ratamacue within the context of a drum fill:

Once you are finished with this drum lesson, you can move on to the double ratamacue.

Learn how to play all 40 drum rudiments with the Drumming System by Mike Michalkow!