#Music manuscript paper free printable how to

Many drum fills are started on this drum, and many drum sets have more than one tom. Sometimes called the high tom, this drum typically produces a note higher than both the floor tom and bass drum. Toms are notated on the first space from the top of the staff and the line below that space. It is often referred to as a floor tom because it may rest on the floor by using legs. The floor tom (or low tom) is typically the next lowest note on the drum set. Notation for the floor tom sits in the third space from the top of the staff. It is used with a foot pedal and is often referred to as the “kick drum.” The bass drum is typically the biggest drum on the drum set, and usually produces the lowest note.

Notation for the bass drum sits in the bottom space of the staff. There are several symbols musicians should know when starting to read drum notation, especially if they’re just starting off with a four- or five-piece drum set.

#Music manuscript paper free printable how to

Notice below that the bass drum is in a different position on the staff than the snare or ride cymbal.ĭrums are notated by dots, while cymbals are notated with an “x.” These symbols typically have “stems” attached to them, which help explain how to count the beat that is shown. Notes are placed in the staff based on which part of the drum set should be played at any given time. The staff is made up of five lines and four spaces, but notes can be positioned above or below the staff as well. Like the English language, drum notation is read from left to right. By learning to read and write this part of the musical language, you’ll develop a strong sense of timing and rhythm control. The space between the bar lines is referred to as a “measure.” You will typically count beats while playing different notes on the drum set within each measure.ĭrum notation does contain similarities to sheet music in that measures are counted and read the same way. In drum notation, the notes are written on the staff and are separated by vertical bar lines.