How to Play Different Rim Shots on a Snare

A rimshot is a sound created when a drummer strikes the rim and the head of a drum at once with the same drumstick. It can be played in several different ways, depending upon the type of rimshot you wish to produce. Rimshots create an accentuated note, and are usually played loudly. They can, however, be played more softly if the drummer so desires.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drumsticks
• Snare

How to Play Different Rimshots on a Snare

1. Learn to play a rim shot first, by striking the tip of the stick against the drum head at the same time as you strike the metal rim of the drum with the body of the same stick. Practice until you are proficient with hitting both the head and the rim of the drum at the same time.

2. Play a "ping shot," the most common of the rim shots, by hitting the head and the rim of the drum at the same time, with the tip of the stick striking the drum head very near to the rim.

3. Play a "gock" by hitting the head and the rim of the drum at the same time, with the tip of the stick stiking the center of the drum head. The body of the stick should hit the rim more closely to your hand than with the ping shot.

4. Play a "stick shot" by placing a drumstick against the snare, the tip against the drum head and the body resting against the rim. Then hit that stick with your other drumstick.

Tips & Warnings

• A ping shot will produce a higher pitched sound than the lower sounding gock.
• Be careful not to strike your hand against the rim of the drum (instead of the stick) as this will result in pain and, worse, will make it so that you are not playing a rimshot.

Resources

• Video Tutorial