Drumset Notation

The following table will help you with the drumset notation used in this website.  Drumseto notation is very logical and visually easy to understand when you remember that all of the instruments appear on the staff according to their relative highness and lowness:
     *The lower-pitched instruments like the bass drum appear on the lower lines and spaces;
     *The higher-pitched instruments like the ride cymbal appear higher up on the staff. The stepped hi-hat,
       because it is played with the left. foot, is the only exception to this rule.

Notice that the stems ho up for instruments played with the hands, and down for instruments played with the feet.

* It is a good idea to have two crash cymbals, and some of the exercises in this book call for two.

These are the symbols indicating the different sounds used when playing the hi-hay cymbals.

The notation for the various instruments of the drumset will be reviewed as needed throughout the book. Use this page as an easy, at-a-glance reference.