Drumset Symbols

Drummers use a lot of different symbols to communicate with one another and with musicians who don’t read drum notation. Just like sheet music, drumset symbols are based on a set of lines called a “staff” that allow for easy differentiation between different parts of a drum kit and the sounds they produce. Lower pitches like bass and floor toms sit towards the bottom of the staff while higher tones, like cymbals, are placed near the top.

The first thing that a drummer sees on a drum chart is the time signature. This is represented by two numbers stacked on top of each other and indicates how many beats there are to a measure. The most common time signature is 4/4, which means that every beat represents a quarter note.

Next, a drummer will see the snare drum notation, which is located on the second line above the hi hat notation (staff line 2). The snare is usually hit with a stick using the tip and can be played open or closed to create varying sounds. Some drummers even have two snares on their kits to provide extra variation.

On a drum chart you may also see the symbol for the ride cymbal, which is located on the top black line of the staff (staff line 0). The ride can be played in various ways from a gentle ping to hitting it hard as a crash. There is also a symbol for playing the bell of the ride that looks similar to the crash symbol, but with a diamond added above it.

Other cymbals such as crashes and splashes are written on an imaginary line above the regular staff lines (staff line -2 for crash, and -3 for splash). Less common cymbals like the Chinese cymbal are represented by an X with a stem. Some drum charts will include a symbol that looks like an S with a backwards slash and 2 dots on either side – this is called the ‘dal capo’ or’return to start’ symbol. This is a good way to practice repeating a section of the song until you’re comfortable with it.

Other symbols include articulation and other special notes, such as the’sfz’, which is a circle with a dot in the middle. This signifies that a cymbal should be hit suddenly and with force to add a bit of excitement to the drum part. Other articulation options are also available, such as an ‘o’ written above a cymbal to indicate that it should be hit open and a ‘+’ above the note head to indicate that it should be closed. Drummers should always be on the lookout for these symbols and be able to interpret them quickly as they play. This will help them keep up with the rest of the band and make sure they’re playing in time. Practice reading drum notation on a daily basis as part of your routine to develop the skills needed to play in any musical situation.