The Shirley Murphy is a hybrid rudiment that has become quite popular. More than anything, the Shirley Murphy is a sticking rudiment in the sense that it doesn't contain any flams, drags, ratamacues, etc. Instead, a Shirley Murphy is defined by the back-to-back combination of a single stroke, a double stroke, and a triple stroke.
Shirley Murphy Sticking
All in all, a Shirley Murphy has six total notes. The first not is a single stroke, the second and third notes make up the double stroke, and the last three notes make up the triple stroke. The strokes alternate hands so if you play a Shirley Murphy starting with the right hand, the Single Stroke will be played with your right hand, the Double Stroke will be played with your left hand, and the Triple Stroke will be played with your right hand. If you play a Shirley Murphy starting with your left hand, the Single Stroke will be played with your left hand, the double stroke will be played with your right hand, and the Triple Stroke will be played with your left hand.
Shirley Murphy Structure
Since Shirley Murphys are made up of six notes, you will frequently see them written as sixtuplets. It's important to note that they can also be written in eighth notes, triplets, sixteenth notes, quintuplets, and other rhythmic groupings. The main thing you're looking for in order to identify a Shirley Murphy is the combination of a Single Stroke, Double Stroke, and Triple Stroke back to back.
Shirley Murphy Rhythm
One of the most important things to focus on when you play Shirley Murphys is to ensure that all of the strokes are evenly spaced.
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