I am quite an advanced pianist and I have a reasonable understanding of drumming from watching, listening to and having conversations with drummers, but I have no technique to speak of because I rarely get access to a kit. I have a practice pad use from time to time. My circumstances have led me to have a good opportunity to practise on my pad for a few months and I would like to build up a bit of technique with a view to get a kit in the future. Which rudiments would you suggest would be ... Read More

I am quite an advanced pianist and I have a reasonable understanding of drumming from watching, listening to and having conversations with drummers, but I have no technique to speak of because I rarely get access to a kit. I have a practice pad use from time to time.

My circumstances have led me to have a good opportunity to practise on my pad for a few months and I would like to build up a bit of technique with a view to get a kit in the future. Which rudiments would you suggest would be most useful to practise in my situation? My thoughts are these ones (using PAS terminology):

Single-stroke roll
Double-stroke open roll
Single paradiddle
Flam
Flam paradiddle (which I have heard called a flamadiddle)
Drag
Anything else from your 9 Killer Rudiments

I would also just do a single beats with my left, right and alternating hands to a metronome pulse and would use a metronome for all the above (as recommended by a drummer friend). I love my metronome!

I'm not looking to solo. I want to play standard rock and pop patterns solidly and do some interesting fills.

How would you amend my list?