How to Read Drum Lesson Sheet Music Want to be able to play drum beats and fills from standard drum notation? You need to learn the art of reading sheet music. Let's start by reviewing the different symbols used to indicate the various elements of the drum set.
Playing the Hi-hats The hi-hats are marked just above the top line of the measure with a simple "x" symbol. The image below shows four hi-hat strokes. These are to be played with a drumstick while the hi-hats are closed the entire time (using your left foot on the hi-hats pedal).
You can also play the hi-hats with the foot alone. In other words, instead of hitting them with a drumstick - you use your foot to open and close the hihats. This is marked on sheet music with the following "x" symbols below the last line of the measure.
Playing the Ride Cymbal The ride cymbal is similar to the hi-hats in that it is often used in drum beats as a method of keeping steady time. In fact, most all beginner-tointermediate rock beats have steady strokes on either the hi-hats or the ride. So, with that in mind - you'll notice that the ride also uses an "x" symbol for drum notation.
Above you can see that the ride cymbal is actually played on an imaginary line above the measure. The small line segments in the middle of the "x" make the symbol look like a star, but mentally you should see this as an "x" sitting on a line.
These stokes would be played with a drumstick on the "bow" of the ride cymbal. This is the part between the edge and the bell - the largest surface. While some heavy rock tunes may require you to crash the ride cymbal (by playing the edge) - you will find that it typically sounds better to play the bow.
Playing the Snare Drum The snare drum is the most important part of any drum set. It is a vital part of virtually any drum beat, and is the foundation of the rock back-beat. Here is how drum sheet music indicates a regular snare drum stroke (played with a stick hitting the middle of the drum).
As you can see, the snare drum is marked with a simple note on the middle line of the staff. Some books will put this in the second space, but this simpler system makes it easier to differentiate the snare drum from other tom toms (as you will soon see). For now, just keep in mind that the snare drum is in on the middle line. The snare can also be played using cross-sticking. This technique will be explained in a future lesson, but here is how it is indicated in drum notation.
This is the last of the drum symbols that uses an "x", and unlike the hi-hats or ride cymbal notation - it is circled.
Playing the Bass Drum The bass drum is played with the right foot on the bass drum pedal. Here is how four strokes are displayed on drum sheet music.
Like the snare drum, this notation shows a simple note. However, the position is in the bottom space of the measure. That is what indicates this note is to be played with on the bass drum.
Some drum sets include two bass drums, or double pedals that allow for both feet to operate the same bass drum. In either case, drum notation has a way of indicating a note that is to be played with the "left" foot on a second bass drum pedal.
As you can see, this second bass drum cymbal is on an imaginary line below the measure. It may seem a little confusion, but don't worry - this is very rarely seen in beginner to intermediate drum lesson material. By the time you need to use it - reading most drum sheet music will be second nature to you. Playing the Tom Toms Playing the toms is probably the most difficult part of drum notation to sight read. However, once you understand the three simple symbols, you will be well on your way to developing this important ability. The smallest tom (aka "hitom") is indicated with this symbol.
All the tom toms are to be played with a drumstick hitting the center of the drumhead. This produces the clearest tone from the drum, and with practice, will ensure you don't hit the rim of the drum. The second tom (aka "mid-tom") is marked with the same note, but in the second gap.
And finally, the last tom (aka "low-tom") is indicated with a note in the third gap.
Remember, the snare is on the middle line, and then ALL toms are in gaps between lines. This is what makes it easier to differentiate between playing the snare or toms. Keep that in mind when playing fills, and you will have a much easier time sight reading. Note: Some drum sets have more than three toms. Unfortunately, standard drum notation does not have symbols for these additional drums. However, you can feel free to be creative with most tom tom patterns, and break them up over whatever drums you want. Perhaps for one fill you can use the symbols to indicate toms one, two, and three. Then, for a second fill - use them to indicate toms one, three, and five (all depending on your set).
Quarter Notes Let's start by counting simple quarter notes. Each measure of 4/4 time has four quarter notes. These quarter notes can be divided into other note values, as you will see below, but for now - let's just count.
1... 2... 3... 4... that's all there is to it. It's simple enough, but vitally important when first learning the drums. Whenever you are starting a new beat or fill, be sure you count each note as you go. You'll notice there are two measures of quarter notes there. Each measure is marked with thick black lines between them, so you can easily see where each starts and stops.
Eighth Notes Now, if all drum beats and fills only used quarter notes - things would get very boring and monotonous in a hurry. Fortunately, there are ways to subdivide notes to create a wide variety of timing options. Here are eighth notes:
Each measure of 4/4 time can contain eight of these eighth notes. They are to be counted in a similar manner as the quarter notes, but with "and" counted for every off-beat eighth note.
Note: You may have already noticed that the 1, 2, 3, and 4 are lined up exactly as quarter notes would be. The extra "and" notes are what makes these eighth notes. It's also helpful to note that eighth notes are connected with a single solid line along the top.
Combining Quarter & Eighth Notes Now, time doesn't have to be stuck in a steady pulse of one set of note values. This next example shows how you can combine quarter notes with eighth notes to mix things up.
These are counted the same way as before, but this time you will be mixing counting techniques. Just be sure you focus on keeping the quarter notes steady. The "and" notes should fit in between a steady count of one... two... three... four... Example: the first bar above would be counted like this: one... two... three and four and one... two and three... four and
Sixteenth Notes When quarter notes and eighth notes aren't enough - it's time to add sixteenth notes into the mix. These are one further subdivision of time, and are fairly straight forward to count.
As you can see, there are still only four numbers in each measure. These line up with how quarter notes would be counted, but are sixteenth notes due to the fact that they are fully divided with the "e + a". You may also notice the "+" signs line up with the "and" counts from the eighth notes. They are in fact pronounced the same. So, all together, you pronounce these extra notes out loud as "e and a". It's important to note that sixteenth notes are joined with TWO solid lines along the top of each group of four notes. It's also important to recognize how the divisions have been working so far. For every one quarter note - you have two eighth notes. For every two eighth notes - you have four sixteenth notes.
Combining Eighth and Sixteen Notes Here is an example of how you would count a mixture of eighth and sixteenth notes that are combined over two measures. Just as the steady pulse of 1... 2... 3... 4... should stay even - the "and" counts should also be continuous and even. The "e" and "a" notes should fit smoothly in between without a slowdown.
Combining Quarter, Eighth, and Sixteen Notes Finally, you can combine all three of these divisions over two bars as shown below. This is where it is very important that you focus on keeping the 1, 2, 3, and 4 counts as steady as possible.
Use a metronome when first starting out, and just tap out the notes on a single drum. Set the metronome to just play quarter notes, and then fill in the other note values in the gaps between the pulse of the quarter note clicks.
Rock Drumming Beats (with eighth notes) In this drum lesson, we are going to introduce the concept of playing eighth note beats as it relates to rock music. These are foundational grooves that you are sure to use for years to come, so take your time and learn them right - the first time!
Rock Beat #1 As with past "progressive" lessons, beat #1 is an important first step. If you are not familiar with counting eighth notes, read the lesson on understanding time. Then come back when you are ready.
The beat below is pretty straight forward. It includes eighth notes on the hihats, and simple snare and bass drum shots where the quarter notes would be.
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Play through it at a variety of tempos. Focus on keeping the steady hi-hat strokes on the eighth notes, and lining the bass and snare drum shots perfectly with the hi-hats.
Rock Beat #2 In this second beat, you will be playing steady quarter note strokes with the bass drum. As with the beginner beats, try playing the first beat and then transitioning in and out of this variation.
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If you are having any trouble with these rock beats, just slow everything down a little and be sure you are still counting out loud.
Rock Beat #3 Just when you were getting used to playing all the bass and snare drum shots where the quarter notes would be - things get more difficult. In this beat, you will be playing a bass drum shot on the "and of three". In other words, you will count "three and" playing the bass drum on both the "three" and the "and" counts.
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This may be a little awkward at first, but just be sure you maintain the steady hi-hat strokes. Many beginners will slow down the beat around the three-count, but it is important that you maintain a steady groove. If you need to play that specific part of the beat at a slower tempo - slow down the entire beat to match.
Rock Beat #4 For this fourth variation, the bass drum has been moved from the "and of three" to the "and of two". It is a slight change, but makes the beat sound completely different.
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Always remember to stay relaxed and loose behind the drum set. Focus on breathing deeply while you play, as many beginners have a tendency to hold their breath when having difficulty with a new beat or fill.
Rock Drumming Beats Three (w/ eighth notes) Ready for more rock drumming beat variations? This lesson includes six new grooves for you to take to the kit. We're starting where the first rock drumming beats page finshed.
Rock Beat #6 This beat includes either the bass or snare drum on every eighth note. So, really focus on hitting each shot in perfect time with the hi-hat strokes. Assuming your hi-hat is played in time, the rest of the beat will follow.
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Rock Beat #7 The seventh variation is one of the most musical beats in this mini-series. It is extremely popular in rock as well as Christian praise music. The second bass drum shot is on the "and of two", giving an interesting feel to the entire groove.
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Rock Beat #8 Here we add a single bass drum shot to the previous beat. This beat also works well in rock and praise music, and can be used in coordination with variation #7 as a two bar phrase. Try playing them back to back once you are able to play them individually.
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Rock Beat #9 Number nine is very similar to the sixth variation, but actually makes things a little more complex by removing one bass drum shot. When looped, this beat has a very interesting feel.
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Rock Beat #10 To mix things up further, variation #10 doesn't include a bass or snare drum shot on the one or three counts. This may make it a little bit harder to start, but once you get it going - it should groove well. Just remember to count out loud, and really focus on feeling the one-count in your head.
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Don't forget to mix things up and combine different beats together once you have mastered them individually. That's where the real fun begins. Try play a simple run by using beats like: 8 8 9 9 8 8 10 10, and loop that for a while.
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The point is NOT to play this twice as fast as the original beat, but instead to get used to counting this as it relates to the music. If you aren't sure what that means right now, don't worry about it. Continue through these lessons, and eventually it will all make sense.
Rock Beat #12 Now lets reverse that pattern, and play it leading with the snare drum shots. This beat, like the previous, is popular in punk rock and other faster paced music.
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Rock Beat #13 It's now time for another challenge. This beat appears to be pretty straight forward, but the difficulty lies in how you play it. Don't move past this beat until you can play it with some groove. It should "feel right", and not be too rigid.
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Rock Beat #14 Here is another interesting beat. Some of the grooves we are getting into may seem less musical, but it is still very important that you work through each
one carefully. They are part of the entire "progression" of learning to play drums, and will enable you to play more complex musical patterns in the future.
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Rock Beat #15 This beat has a half-time feel, as the snare drum shot is on the three count. Once you are able to play this beat on it's own - combine it with one of the beats from the previous rock beats page to create a two-bar phrase. Then pay attention to how the snare drum placement changes things.
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Rock Beat #16 Here is another groove that starts out with a snare drum shot. Hopefully by now it is feeling a little more natural to start off with the snare drum. Most beginners have trouble with this at first, but it's something you eventually have to get used to.
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Rock Beat #17 Number seventeen is a pretty busy groove that includes four snare drum shots. Again, this one is pretty straight forward, but it's important to focus on making it groove.
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Rock Beat #18 Believe it or not, this beat is actually extremely musical. At first it seems a little awkward, but once you make it groove - you will see how it could fit into a verse or bridge in a band track.
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Rock Beat #19 This beat returns to a more of a normal feel. It can be used in a musical context, or just as a building block to more complex beats still to come. Remember to count out loud as you play. It's important that you don't stop doing that with these beats.
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Rock Beat #20 Here is the final rock drumming beat in the beginner drum lessons. It is definately more complex than any of the beats you've played up till now, so take your time with it. Be sure you don't move on until it is sounding right.
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This is the point in time when many beginners feel ready to take on the world. However, this can often lead to the desire to skip over some foundational material. It is important to remind yourself at how you got where you are now.
Don't jump past any of the next sections, or move on past this until you feel you are ready.
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This drum lesson focuses on improving the independence and control of the bass drum in sixteenth note beats. If you aren't familiar with sixteenth notes, please read the lesson on understanding time . Then return when you are ready. Some drummers use double bass drum pedals to play these beats, but it is important that you learn them with one pedal too. It will enable you to control your feet so much better. If you eventually want to learn to play drums with two bass drums, or with a set of double pedals, go through these beats with both feet individually. In other words, play through them all with just the right foot, and then repeat with just the left foot. This will give you amazing speed, control, and independence!
Bass Drum Beat #1 This first beat is fairly straight forward. However, drummers that have not played any beats with sixteenth notes before may have some trouble. Of course, the best solution for this is to slow everything down.
Focus on hitting the steady shots on the hi-hats, as that is the foundation of all the beats on this page. Then add in just the kick drum - with the second shot in each set landing between the hi-hat strokes.
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** Reminder: the double line connecting the two sets of bass drum shots are what indicate that they are to be played as sixteenth notes. **
Bass Drum Beat #2 This second variation adds a third bass drum shot on the "a of one" and the "a of three". Be sure you really slow this down, and focus on control. Speed will come with time, but it is absolutely vital that you first learn to keep everything in perfect time.
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Bass Drum Beat #3 Variation #3 continues along the same track, adding another shot on the "e of 2" and on the "e of 4". Pay special attention to how the double line markers are indicating the varios sixteenth notes within these beats. You'll see why that is important in future drum lessons.
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Bass Drum Beat #4 This groove is made up entirely of sixteenth notes. It should actually be easier to count out loud, but will be trickier to play. You'll likely find your foot is extremely slow and clumsy when playing these patterns for the first time. If that is the case, take a break and then come back and attack it again (at a slower pace on the second try).
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Bass Drum Beat #5 Beat variation #5 is actually a little easier than some of the previous beats, but it incorporates some fast playing for a single foot. Really, the purpose of this beat is to lead into the next variation, as you've actually already done three fast bass drum shots in the last beat (just in a different part of the beat).
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Bass Drum Beat #6 Ok, this is likely going to be the most challenging to play perfectly. As with the previous beats, the four bass drum shots are to be played on a single pedal. Focus on keeping themn perfectly even and in time.
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Once you have all these beats mastered all the beats on this page, try combining some to create two bar phrases. Practice moving from beat to beat at random to build additional bass drum control. Then, move on to our drum lessons here, or on the learn to play drumsand how to play drums websites.
Bass Drum Beat #7 Beat #7 includes groups of three shots. The first includes all bass drum strokes, while the second starts with a snare and finishes with two bass drum strokes. Be sure you keep the groups of three clearly defined. Focus on leaving out the "a counts" for each set of sixteenth notes.
Some drummers may have a tendency to "swing" these notes, but it's important to keep them straight and in perfect time. Once you master the grooves as taught here - you can feel free to experiment with some note-value alterations.
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Bass Drum Beat #8 This variation is sure to give your bass drum foot a workout. It's very "busy", but still includes some rests to mix things up.
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Bass Drum Beat #9 Ok, here you are playing steady sixteenth notes on the bass drum. This is another beat commonly played on double bass drums or double pedals. However, it is still important that you learn to play it with just one foot.
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Bass Drum Beat #10 This beat mixes things up quite a bit. The snare drum provides the steady pulse while the kick drum fills in with double or single shots. It's actually easier than it looks.
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Bass Drum Beat #11 Variation #11 is very similar to #10, but the single bass drum shots are moved from the "and of two & four" to the "e of two & four". It'll be a little more difficult at first, but should come with time.
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Bass Drum Beat #12 This pattern is the first quarter of beats 10-11, but played repetitively. It should be much easier now that you've played the previous two beats. However, I'd like to remind you to mix things up as you go. Combine these last three beats into two and four-bar phrases, and learn to smoothly transition in and out of the various changes.
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Bass Drum Beat #13 Here is a fairly musical beat that will help you get additional control over your bass drum double-shots. It also includes oddly-placed snare drum shots to add difficulty.
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Bass Drum Beat #14
Here is another musical pattern that is sure to challenge you. It starts out fairly busy, and then lightens up significantly. However, the quick bass drum shots and oddly place snare drum shots will definately assist in developing bass drum independence.
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Bass Drum Beat #15 This beat combines a lot of the elements you've learned from previous grooves. It may not appear as a slight-variation, but the basic concepts in this beat have already been taught in the previous grooves. It should come fairly easily for you.
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Congratulations, you've completed the bass drum independence mini-series. Jump back to thedrum lessons homepage for additional challenging beats and fills. There you will find drum lessons that cover a wide variety of important drumming topics.
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Building snare drum independence is important for every drummer. This lesson includes beats specifically designed to assist you with improving your snare drum control. Later, we will take what we've learned in the bass drum independencelessons, and combine it with these patterns to create advanced drum beats.
Snare Drum Beat #1 Since this drum lesson is all about snare drum control - you can expect to see many more snare drum shots in all these beats. To make things even more challenging, the shots are not always going to be in line with the back-beat. The first beat is fairly simple, and incorporates eighth and sixteenth notes.
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Snare Drum Beat #2 This first variation moves things around again, but uses similar patterns to the first beat. Be sure you continue to count out loud as you first play through these grooves.
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Snare Drum Beat #3 This beat is incredible powerful for snare drum control. It can be quite difficult at first, but sound great when learned properly. Eventually you will want to add dynamics into a beat like this by playing the extra snare drum shots as ghost notes. We'll get into that more in future lessons.
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For now, it is really important that you focus on playing these first snare drum beats very well. Don't move on until you are truly ready for the next challenge. As stated in previous lessons - moving forward before you are ready is far more likely to hinder your progress than help it.
Snare Drum Beat #4 The first half of this beat is identical to what you've played in the 3rd beat, but the last half really changes the feel. Once you can play this variation - combine it with beat #3 for a two bar phrase to practice them together.
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Snare Drum Beat #5 This beat is similar to one of the bass drum independence beats you've likely already playing (if you are working through the lessons in order). The only difference is that the snare drum and bass drum shots have been reversed.
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Snare Drum Beat #6
As with the previous beat, this too is a reversed version of a pattern covered in the bass drum independence lesson. If you want to really challenge yourself - try combining this with one of the bass-drum beats to form a two-bar phrase.
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Snare Drum Beat #7 This variation is an inverted version of the #6. That said, it should be fairly easy based on what you've already worked through. Focus on keeping steady time, as you may have a tendency to "swing" some of these groups of three sixteenth notes.
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Snare Drum Beat #8 This beat is very straight forward, but will still challenge the speed and control of your snare drum hand. Now that we are back to all-sixteenth notes it should be easier to focus on playing in perfect time.
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Snare Drum Beat #9 This last beat includes steady shots on the snare drum. This is easy to play at slow tempos, but challenge yourself to keep perfect time while pushing to faster speeds. Then, when you are ready to play it a little faster, combine it with some of the other beats to form two-bar phrases.
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Once you have completed the entire snare drum independence mini-series - you can move on to more advanced drum lessons . However, if you skipped the bass drum independence to work on this first - it is recommended that you move to that section next.
Advanced Rock Drum Beats (sixteenth notes) Are you ready to learn advanced drum beats? Hopefully you have already progressed through the important bass drum and snare drum independence pages in the intermediate section. The lessons there include progressive patterns to assist with these more complex grooves.
Advanced Drum Beat #1 Even though this is an advanced lesson, we are still going to start out with a simple beat to get you up to speed. This groove should be pretty straight forward based on what you've already learned. Play it a few times through, and then move on to the next.
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Advanced Drum Beat #1 Here is where things will start to get challenging. This beat includes steady shots on the eighth note counts, but with added snare and bass drum shots on almost all the off-beats. You will likely need to practice this slowly (while counting out loud as always) when first starting off.
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Advanced Drum Beat #3
The third advanced beat includes groups of three sixteenth notes on the bass and snare drums. Now, while you have done groups of three in previous lessons, these groups are continous (no rests or gaps). The first half of the beat is sure to challenge you - while the last bit gives you a little break.
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Advanced Drum Beat #4 This beat includes some serious limb independence. This is where your patient practice through the bass drum and snare drum independence exercises really pays off. Work through this beat slowly at first. When you have it - speed it up and focus on making it groove.
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There are still more advanced drum beats in the next drum lesson, so keep going! Learn how to play drum rudiments here!
Advanced Rock Drum Beats Two (sixteenth notes) This advanced drum lesson continues where the last one left off. If you haven't yet played the first set of advanced rock drum beats, go there before continuing.
Advanced Drum Beat #5 This beat brings back groups of three, and also the triple shots (hi-hats, snare, and bass drum on one count). Count through everything slowly at first, and be sure you play the steady hi-hat shots in perfect time.
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Advanced Drum Beat #6 Advanced variation six includes many off-beat shots. Although this beat may seem less musical than some of the others - it is designed to challenge your limb independence to improve your abilities to play future beats (which may be more musical).
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Advanced Drum Beat #7 Here is an example of an advanced beat that is also musical. The most difficult part of this beat may be focusing on recognizing the one-count. Once you get into a groove, the set of three snare-shots seem to really blend into a continous pattern. Just be sure you keep counting out loud and mentally focus on the one-count.
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Advanced Drum Beat #8 This variation may seem bland or simple, but don't let it's appearance fool you. It's quite complex to play, and even harder to "groove". Take your time with it, and don't skip past it just because it seems plain.
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Advanced Drum Beat #9
This beat is quite the opposite of the last. It may appear more complex and intimidating, but is actually quite simple. It doesn't include anything you haven't been able to play before (in some form of another beat), so it should be easier to learn.
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Advanced Drum Beat #10 Variation #10 is made up entirely of sixteenth notes - which should make this beat a little easier to play. However, the complex bass and snare drum shots will still be a challenge.
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Advanced Drum Beat #11 This variation is almost 100% off-beats for the snare and bass drum. However, there is an added bass drum shot on the one-count to mix things up. It also makes the one-count easier to recognize.
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Advanced Drum Beat #12 This final advanced beat includes a little bit of everything you've learned thus far. It it seems easy - that is because you have done so much work to get to this point. All the past beats have properly prepared you, and you are now an advanced drummer!
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When you are finished - don't forget to go back and practice playing the beats together. It's often far easier to play a beat repetitively on it's own than to transition in and out of other complex grooves. Challenge yourself with this, and you'll experience a whole new level of control. Then, you can move on to some of the other drum lessons.
