Drum Set Notation

In most drum notation systems the lines and spaces of a standard 5 line music staff are used to define the various drums of a kit.

Acoustic drum and bass. Bass 1 is the standard bass drum played with the primary bass drum pedal. Each measure includes four quarter notes that repeat the symbol used to notate various drum set voices. Bass 2 is played either on a secondary.

Its unlikely that you will encounter many. Our drum key includes 7 toms arranged from lowest pitched to highest. Drum notation guide drum key bass.

Non kit percussion instruments can be notated on any of these staff types. For simple parts for example a kick and snare pattern a 1 or 2 line line staff may be used. Drum notation is unique because it uses note head symbols in addition to the regular note ball.

If you wanted to you could count 1234 over this with one and three being the bass drums and 2 and 4 being the snare drums. Other note heads are diamonds triangles and slashes. Use this lesson in conjunction with the lessons on counting quarter notes eighth notes eighth note triplets sixteenth notes sixteenth note triplets thirty second notes and rests if you want to master the ability to sight read drum notation.

Keep an eye on the vertical position and note shapes. They are the main differences between symbols. The most common are x note heads which are used for cymbals.