How to Do a Rimshot

Drummers use a variety of techniques to produce different sounds on their instruments. With a rimshot, the drummer strikes both the drum's head and rim to create a loud, pingy sound. Orchestral percussionists, jazz drummers and Latin timbale players all use the rimshot frequently. Gaining consistency with the shot takes practice, but the essential technique is easy to learn.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Hold the drumsticks with a matched grip. Make sure both of your palms are facing the ground and your fingers are lightly supporting the sticks.
2. Position the playing end of the drumstick so it's halfway between the center and the edge of the drumhead.
3. Lift the stick up and whip it back down, striking the drumhead and the rim at the same time.
4. Perform an altered rimshot, also known as a stick shot, by pressing one stick's bead into the drumhead and striking its shaft with the other stick. This technique is more accurate than the traditional rimshot.
5. Raise the rimshot's pitch by moving the bead of the drumstick closer to the rim. Drummers in marching bands and drumlines use this method to sharpen the rimshots and make them more audible.

Tips & Warnings

• Move the end of the drumstick closer to the center of the head to deepen the rimshot's tone.
• Play rimshots at different dynamic levels to change their overall character. Loud rimshots are bright and powerful, but softer rimshots can add a subtle, clear punch to the music.