Guide to Drum & Percussion Notation
Let Ring—It is normally assumed that a cymbal will be allowed to ring unless a choke or stopped effect is indicated. However, if a number of choke symbols have been used, a tie may be added to make it clear that the note should be allowed to ring through its natural decay.
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Open Drums—Similarly, most notes on drums are assumed to be played “open” unless the stopped symbol has been used. The open symbol may, however, be used if it helps clarify the part.
Placement of Notes—When drum part for a full kit part is placed on a 5-line staff, the parts played with the hands are notated with stems up, and those played by the feet with stems down.
RLRRLRRL R R L R etc L 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Guide To Drum & Percussion Notation www.audiograffiti.com.au [email protected] August 2004
Allegretto rit. 3 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. There is really no right or wrong as long as the notator provides a Open Crash (18") Splash (10") equals equals equals Hi Hat legend defining the Tom 1 Ride (22") Snare Tom 2 Tom 3 meaning of each line of Kick Ghost note Ride (20") Rim Shot the staff, and the HiHat (Pedal) 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.
3 equals equals equals 3
Flams—Flams are indicated by Drags—Drags are notated as a Ruffs—These can be notated a grace note. The grace note pair of grace notes attached to like a drag. However, if drags specifies which drum is to be the main note. The grace notes are also used in the same struck slightly ahead of the are played using a different score, ruffs are distinguished main note. stick to the main note. by the alternate sticking pattern or by a slashed beam.
RL
2 7 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 Hi Low Normal Muted Normal Muted
Toms (Large Kit)—Where more Toms (Additional)—Up to 10 Hi-Hat Closed—The hi-hat is Congas & Bongos—Bongos Woodblock—these can be Gong—Gongs are notated on than three toms are required, toms can be notated by adding notated as a x-like cross mark and congas are normally notated as triangle shapes on the lowest line of the staff. they are notated in descending the four definitions shown on top of the staff. notated on a two lined staff, the upper section of the They can also be notated on a pitch. The appropriate size and below to the large kit with one line representing each percussion staff. The higher single-line staff. Specialist type for each will be given in definition. of the drums. An additional line line represents the highest techniques (such as scraping the legend otherwise these are may be added for a third drum. pitch. Woodblocks can also be of brushes) should be defined left to player discretion. The top line represents the notated on a one or two line in the legend. highest-pitched drum. A cross- staff with triangle or normal shaped notehead is used for note heads. muted drums. Specialist techniques should be defined in the legend.
Hi-Hat (Second)—Some Hi-Hat (Open)—A small circle Hi-Hat (Half Open)—In some arrangements call for a second is placed above the hi-hat mark 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
Ride Cymbal—The standard Bell or Edge—Whether a Choked Cymbals—An position for a ride cymbal is on cymbal is hit on the edge or apostrophe is used to notate a the top line of the staff. If a bell is usually left to the cymbal that is grabbed second ride is required, it is discretion of the drummer. immediately after being struck. notated on the lower lines. However the following symbols can be used if necessary. Bell Edge
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