SINGLE RATAMACUE

The Single Ratamacue is a very commonly used rudiment in American Fife and Drum, both in 6/8 and 2/4 compositions. It most closely resembles the Lesson 25, but with a triplet coming after the drag instead of a duple rhythm.  The Single Ratamacue can be interpreted multiple ways, and can begin on either the primary accented stroke or the drag.  Unless otherwise marked, the Single Ratamacue is often played with dynamic growth leading through the triplet and ending on the next accented stroke.

The Single Ratamacue is played as a triplet across many time signatures with the embelishment of a drag on the first note. Like the drag itself, this can be played either open of closed depending on the interpretation of the performer or performance direction from the composer.  It is commonly seen in UK drumming and is found widely in the studies and solos used by the Royal Marines School of Music.

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The Single Ratamacue is the only Ratamacue rudiment in Switzerland and classified to the “Reveille Rudiment Family”. Double and Triple Ratamacue are widely unknown, however, sometimes seen in modern compositions.

The Single Ratamacue starts on a tempo of 30 quarters per minute and after continuous accelerating ends with a tempo of 108.  In the final tempo, the grace notes can be played in three different styles:

– Evenly spaced and hence aim for a triolic sound

– a small pause before the grace notes and therefore aim for a “swing” (mostly played like this at Swiss drum competitions)

– bind the grace notes to the following main stroke, aiming for a very neat style

However, most important and difficult is the rhythm of the triplet which should not be contracted together but played uninhibited in a crescendo to forte.

In modern Swiss drumming, the Single Ratamacue is not very popular and seldomly occurs in compositions and marches. If so, it is composed in its natural form.

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