Drumkit Notation Key Compiled by: N.

Thompson

Cymbals Splash/ China/ Open Closed

Ride Bell
 
Ride Ride Bell Hi Hat

Crash 2 Crash 3 (ver 2) Hi Hat Hi Hat

Crash

Hi Hat foot
     
w/ foot splash 
  
Abr:

Cr. Spl. FX R.C. Bell H.H. Open
cym cym China Dome H.H.

Drums
Snare Snare Sn. Cross Stick
or Bass Drum Tom-Toms
Drum Ghost Ghost (Floor
(Toms)


Note Note Rim Click or Kick Drum Toms)
 
       
S.D. T.T. F.T.
Sn.Dr.
B.D. B.D.(2)
Left
Effects

 (Choke)
Cymbal Choke

 
Buzz


 
Cymbal Roll Snare Roll Tom Rims

 
 
Flam Stroke
 


      


N.B.: In general, note stems face downward when they are played by the feet and
upward when they are played by the hands. However, it is possible to combine all
the members together in as a kind of percussive "chord." This method is especially
useful for writing beats and is commonly used in Modern Drummer magazine.

Sample Beats

     
"Walk This Way" - Aerosmith "I Got You (I Feel Good)" - James Brown

                    
            


 
   


                 
"La Bamba" - Ritchie Valens "One" - Metallica

           
         
        
6 6 6 6
Copyright © 2009
 Drumkit Notation Key
2
"Mack The Knife" - Bobby Darin "Californication" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Swing Rock
  3
                         
       

 
 
"She Loves You" - The Beatles

  
           
3

        
  

Sample Drum Fills

OR - this and other
variants

     
Motown Cliché

             
           
   
 
80s Cliché 1 80s Cliché 2
3 3
   
3

3

 
Rock-Pop Ballad
Disco Cliché
"November Rain" - Guns n' Roses
"I Will Survive" - Gloria Gaynor
       
"My Heart Will Go On" - Céline Dion
 
                    
       

Rock Cliché Rock Build-Up/Crescendo + Beat

  
"Rock n' Roll, Hoochie Koo" - Rick Derringer

                    
             
             
mf f