The Ratamacue is essentially a 4-Stroke Rough: a triplet-based rhythm, played with sharp, quick strokes.
The Ratamacue comes in three varieties depending on the number of drags.
Single Ratamacue
A Single Ratamacue is performed as a 4-stroke rough where the first stroke is a drag. Typically, the final stroke is accented for effect.
They are played:
Note: They do alternate. The final stroke will be the main stroke of the following drag. For example, if you end on a left-hand stroke, the following Single Ratamacue will begin with a drag that bounces on the right and strikes on the left.
Single Ratamacues appear in Ashworth and Rumrille (called ‘Single Rotamacue in both).
Lovering refers to this as a Double Ruff (his Single Ruff is essentially a 4-Stroke Ruff). We see examples of this in ‘The Wood Cutter’ (where the lines end with a 9 + Single Ruff + 2 Double Ruffs) and ‘Bridgeton’ (where the line ends with a 9 + Single Ruff + 2 Double Drags).
Hazeltine includes a 3-Stroke Rough and 4-Stroke Rough. He defines them:
“A four stroke rough, is beat by giving four single hard strokes; give the first with the left hand, the second with the right, &c.
“A three stroke rough, is beat by giving three single hard strokes very quick; give the first with the left hand, the second with the right, and the third with the left hand.”
In his beatings, Hazeltine doesn’t differentiate between the 3- and 4-Stroke version. The 3-Stroke version appears as a triplet in ‘Single Drag’. His ‘Double Drag’, ‘Free Mason’s March’, and ‘Cubie’s March’ likely refers to a 9-Stroke Roll into a Single Ratamacue, as in many other versions.
Robinson refers to a ‘Rough’, which he defines as:
“A Rough is performed by striking four quick hard strokes; one with the left hand, one with the right, one with the left, and one with the right.
“Note – In performing the Rough, the performer should be particular to beat it as quick as is possible, and give every stroke its distinct sound.”
Robinson’s version is a 4-Stroke Ruff. He doesn’t specify the addition of a drag to create a single or double ratamacue. His rough is used in ‘Free Mason’s March’, ‘Double Drag’, and ‘Cubie’s March’ the same way as Hazeltine.
Historically, Single Ratamacues featured heavily in Double Drag beatings as part of the ending phrases. These phrases were typically a 9-Stroke Roll into a ratamacue and ending with Double Drags. Depending on the piece, they could have 1, 2, or 3 Single Ratamacues (see below).
Mid-19th Century American Sources
By 1850s, Klinehanse’s manual imitates Ashworth and Rumrille. His rudiment is still called ‘Single Rotamacue’ with the same notation.
During the American Civil War, most manuals don’t include specific references to ratamacues. Bruce & Emmet’s The Drummers and Fifers Guide (1862), includes the Single Ratamacue – the first modern spelling. Bruce specifically notes that Single Ratamacues are performed in single and double drags, which is consistent with the early-19th century manuals.
This spelling and description is confirmed in Strube’s Drum and Fife Instructor (1869).
Bruce & Emmet describe ‘Compound Stroke No. 2’, which is two Single Ratamacues into a Sextuplet.
While B&E describe this compound phrasing, he does not use it in any of his written music. Despite that, the phrase is familiar to many modern Fife & Drum drum fills.
Double Ratamacue
A Double Ratamacue is performed as a Drag + Single Ratamacue. Or a ratamacue with two drags.
They are played:
Double Ratamacues appear in Ashworth and Rumrille (called ‘Double Rotamacue).
The Double Ratamacue doesn’t appear in the other early-19th century manuals (Potter, Hazeltine, Robinson, Robbins, or Lovering).
Unfortunately, while both Ashworth and Rumrille include the rudiment, neither explains or demonstrates their use.
Mid-19th Century American Sources
By 1850s, Klinehanse’s manual imitates Ashworth and Rumrille. His rudiment is still called ‘Double Rotamacue’ with the same notation.
During the American Civil War, most manuals don’t include specific references to ratamacues. Bruce & Emmet’s The Drummers and Fifers Guide (1862), includes the Double Ratamacue. Bruce specifically notes that Double Ratamacues are performed in fancy beats in quicksteps.
This spelling is confirmed in Strube’s Drum and Fife Instructor (1869).
Unfortunately, this rudiment is not demonstrated in either manual.
Triple Ratamacue
A Triple Ratamacue is performed as 2 Drags + Single Ratamacue. Or a ratamacue with three drags.
They are played:
The Triple Ratamacue doesn’t appear until Bruce & Emmet’s, referred to as The Treble Ratamacue. The same rudiment appears in Strube.
Bruce specifically notes that Treble Ratamacues are performed in fancy beats in quicksteps. Unfortunately, this rudiment is not demonstrated in either manual.
More Info:
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