How to pronounce paradiddle
Say it like PAR-uh-did-ul. Paradiddle has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce paradiddle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAR
- uh
- did
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Paradiddle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- didGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of paradiddle
American and British speakers say paradiddle in essentially the same way: /ˈpærəˌdɪdəl/ in the US and /ˈpærəˌdɪdəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: PAR-uh-did-ul.
What does paradiddle mean?
- 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.’
- To produce percussive sounds of this kind.
Questions about saying paradiddle
How do you pronounce paradiddle?
Say PAR-uh-did-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈpærəˌdɪdəl/. In British English it is /ˈpærəˌdɪdəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in paradiddle?
Paradiddle has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAR). Broken into parts: PAR · uh · did · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say paradiddle the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpærəˌdɪdəl/ and the British form is /ˈpærəˌdɪdəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.