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Drum Notation Guide PDF
Drum Notation Guide PDF
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R L R R L R R L R R L R etc
L
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Guide To
Drum & Percussion
Notation
www.audiograffiti.com.au
August 2004
info@audiograffiti.com.au
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Allegretto rit.
mp p f mp
Rolls (8th-note)—A slash Rolls (16th-note)—Two Rolls (32nd-note)—Three
Guide to Drum & Percussion Notation through a note means that the slashes through a note indicate slashes through a note indicate
Notation for drums and percussion varies considerably from arranger to arranger, and from drum should be struck that the drum should be struck that the drum should be struck
publisher to publisher. Many notators have created their own symbols in an effort to cater for the repeatedly at 8th note (quaver) repeatedly at 16th note (semi- repeatedly at 32nd note
huge array of percussion instruments and techniques. intervals for the duration of the quaver) intervals for the intervals.
note. This is usually as a duration of the note, creating a
In most drum notation systems, the lines and spaces of a standard 5-line music staff are used to standard double stroke roll. roll.
define the various drums of a kit. For simple parts (for example, a kick and snare pattern) a 1 or 2
line-line staff may be used. Non-kit percussion instruments can be notated on any of these staff
types. Notators vary to some degree on what instrument each line of the stave represents.
equals
There is really no right
or wrong as long as the
notator provides a
Tom
Open
Ride (22")
Crash (18") Splash (10") equals equals
legend defining the
Tom 3
Hi Hat
1 Tom 2
Snare
meaning of each line of Kick
the staff, and the HiHat (Pedal)
Ghost note Ride (20") Rim Shot
significance pf the Rolls (triplet)—If a number (eg Rolls (on longer note values)—
different noteheads 3 or 6) is placed above the The examples shown previously are all on a quarter not value. The
and symbols. notehead, the roll should be slashes can be applied to any note value, and the roll should be
The guide you are now reading is a “legend” to how we notate drum and percussion parts when player as if it were a triplet or played for the full duration of the note. For example, a half note
we engrave music at Audio Graffiti. We attempt to follow the standards set out in Norman group of 6. (minim) with one slash requires four strokes. A dotted quarter note
Weinberg’s Guide to Standardized Drumset Notation. Occasionally we will introduce a new symbol with one slash requires three strokes.
to cater for an unusual requirement of a client. In such situations, we will provide a custom
legend in the score or part extract.
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equals equals equals
3
RL
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Triangle—The triangle part can be noted on the 5-line staff by a Cowbell—The cowbell is Kick/Bass Drum—The kick Snare—The snare is notated as Toms (Standard kit)—Three
triangle shaped notehead positioned on the first ledger line above notated on the top space of drum is notated on the bottom shown below. If a second snare toms are notated for the
the staff. They can also be notated on a single-line staff with either the stave. Muted cowbells can space of the staff. If a second is called for, it will be notated standard kit: 2 mounted and
a triangle shape or a normal notehead. Muted triangles are notated be notated with the “stopped” kick drum is required, it will be in a position used for one of one floor.
with the “stopped” symbol, or, on a single-line stave they may be symbol. Cowbells can be notated on the lowest line of the toms and this will be
notated with a cross-shaped notehead. notated on a single-line staff the staff. defined in the legend.
like the triangle.
Mounted Floor
Normal Hi Low
Muted
Normal Muted
Hi-Hat (Second)—Some
arrangements call for a second
Hi-Hat (Open)—A small circle
is placed above the hi-hat mark
Hi-Hat (Half Open)—In some
music, it is necessary to
hi-hat. This is notated inside if it is to be struck while open. indicate a partially open hi-hat.
the staff and lower than the This is done by placing a
first hi- hat. vertical line though the “open
6 3
Hi-Hat (With Pedal)—A hi-hat Hi Hat (Foot Splash)—This Crash Cymbal—Crash cymbals Rim Shot—A line through a Cross Stick—These are played Drum Centre or Edge—Where
played with the pedal is effect is created by clashing are notated with a cross mark notehead is used to notate a by laying the stick across the it is necessary to specify
indicated by a cross mark the hi-hats together forcibly on the first ledger line above “rim shot” (striking the head drum head and over the rim. whether the drum be hit in the
below the stave. using the pedal, then allowing the stave. and rim of the drum The part of the stick over the centre or on the edge, symbols
them to ring. simultaneously). rim is raised and used to strike like those below are used.
the rim.
× ×
Crash Cymbal (Additional)— Splash Cymbal—The standard China Cymbal—The standard Ghost Notes—Ghost notes are Stopped Drums—These are Sticking—When a particular
Where an arrangement calls for position for a splash cymbal is position for a china cymbal is played by striking the drum (or played by touching the drum or sticking pattern is required (or
a number of different crash above the first ledger line on the second ledger line cymbal) very lightly. They are cymbal after it is struck to stop advised), it is noted by the
cymbals, they may be drawn at above the stave. (Note that if a above the stave. (Note that if a used to create feel rather than it vibrating. letters ‘L’ (left) and ‘R’ (right)
any point above the stave not splash cymbal isn’t required, china cymbal isn’t required, to be heard. above the stave.
already defined in the legend this mark may be used for a this mark may be used for a
for another cymbal type. different cymbal type) different cymbal type)
R L R L
Bell Edge
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