Reading Drum Notatation/Staff Position

[SabianKnight]

First off, music notes are music notes regardless of the instrument. The subtitles are in the clefs, slurs, ties, hammers etc.

Drum Notation has a standard set of rudiments that are are sticking patterns that make up a particular element in the drum "vocabulary".

The basic object position on the staff for drumset charts are as follows:

1st line above the staff=crash cymbal marked by an * asterick or a triangle

1st space (closest) above the staff=ride cymbal marked by an "x"


top line of the staff = hihat marked with and "x"(closed played with the stick) /"x" with an "o" above (open hihat played with a stick)

1st space=first  rack tom

2nd line=second rack tom

2nd space=snare drum

3rd line=3rd rack tom

3rd space= floor tom

4th line=2nd floor tom

4th space=bass/kick drum 1

5th (bottom) line=bass/kick drum 2 (double pedal/double kick)

space below the staff=marked by and "x"=hihat (played with  the foot like "chic") "x" with an "o" below it = open hihat played with foot like splash


These are pretty much what most documentors agree on. After these though there are several other variations of writing drumset chats that are loosely based on these. Someties modern Drummer mag will you two or three different ways of writing them so be sure to REAd THE KEY at the beginning of the chart.

So lets all start to read and write drum charts. It will expand your mind, your vocabulary and creativity and improve your timing and rhythmic understanding.

It gets hard sometimes but if you can read well you can play anything. Look at Vinnie Colaiuta and Kenny Arnoff (top sessions and touring players), this is how they get so much work... because they don't have to rehearse... he can show up and read.

You don't even have to speak a foreign language an d you'll be able to play all over the world. Music is the universal language. I hope this is a blessing to you all.

[Eccentric-Rhythm]

Thanks Sabian, This is exactly what I was looking for. I am really looking forward to start reading drum notations...I believe it will enhance my playing tremendously.

God Bless.

[mrwhite]

Mr Sabian Knight,  You're ALWAYS a blessing when you post ANYTHING.

[playhear]

Thanks Sabian, This is exactly what I was looking for. I am really looking forward to start reading drum notations...I believe it will enhance my playing tremendously.

God Bless.

Eccentric, I'm glad to hear you say that. You said you read music but are unfamiliar with drum notation. You know now that drum notation is the same stuff! If you can read, you can read, period.

[j_kay]

Playhear, that's what I've been trying to say, lol!!

[Eccentric-Rhythm]

You said you read music but are unfamiliar with drum notation. .

And that is what I was trying to say....I was unfamiliar with drum notation, but since I know which piece is at which line or space, it makes sense...When you first looked at drum notation, j-kay, were you a pro? or we you a little confused?

God BLess.

[playhear]

I think j_kay was somewhat annoyed because many musicians from other instruments assume that drummers don't read or that drum notation is not real music. So, j_kay got excited and jumped on Eccentric’s case. We see from SabianKnight’s post that drum notation, for the most part, abides by the same rules as any music notation.

Eccentric was saying that he was unfamiliar with drum notation. He was not trying to put drummers down. I think j_kay misunderstood Eccentric’s posts at first.

It’s all good now.

[SabianKnight]

Whatever the case as I don't pressume to speak for J_Kay (THough I understood where he was coming from as well as Eccentric) there are a mojority of us on this site that  need to tighten up on the reading aspects of the cratft period.

A lot of people have said they don't know how and such. Some may have been really confused/intimidated by it and some just don't see the wisdom in it or don't want to put in the effort.

Whatever the case I saw a need to lend a helping hand. Now that we know a lil bit more. Lets take the responsibility that comes with it and move forward.

Relax, Relate , Release... now shed!

[j_kay]

You said you read music but are unfamiliar with drum notation. .

And that is what I was trying to say....I was unfamiliar with drum notation, but since I know which piece is at which line or space, it makes sense...When you first looked at drum notation, j-kay, were you a pro? or we you a little confused?

God BLess.

*lol - no, really - lol*  Actually, I've had instruction in piano (from my Dad, who has a Ph.D in music and is a professor of music at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside) and flute when I was younger, so I understood how to read patterns.  When I transferred that learning to "drum notation", the key/legend that is located on the staff was labeled in a common sense approach, because patterns are patterns - all I needed to do was apply the rhythms to the designated spaces on the staff paper.  


It's all love, man.