Rudiments and the 'N.A.R.D.'

In 1933 a group of drummers in Chicago Illinois formed the 'National Association of Rudimental Drummers'. They originated thirteen basic roll patterns to function as a guide in teaching beginning drummers. They called these rolls 'The Thirteen Essential Rudiments of Drumming'. Later, they designed an additional thirteen rudiments, which brought the total to twenty-six. The American public school system adopted these 'rudiments' as the teaching standard nationwide for elementary, high school and college drum squads. These rolls or rudiments consist of gradual, slow to rapid manipulation of the drumsticks using different stroking patterns. The rudimental idea focuses on training the hands to execute virtually any rhythm pattern that the mind might imagine.

Though rudiments are especially useful in helping the student develop coordination and control, they can also be very boring.