How to Read Music for Drums

Playing a musical instrument can be a fun challenge, but first you have to know how to read the music you want to play. This is for drum music.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• drum sheet music
• knowledge of the parts of a drum

1. TIME SIGNATURE: This is seen as a fraction at the beginning of sheet music. It will tell you how many of what kind of notes there are per measure. The top measure is how many, the bottom number is what kind. (4/4 time means 4 quarter notes per measure.)

2. 
    
   Basic Notes

   NOTE TYPES: For regular drum beats (snare, bass, toms) the note is a typical music note. For cymbals, the note is usually depicted as an "x" with a line next to it. Since there is no way to hold a drum beat, there are no whole or half notes. The note's worth is counted the same as any other music note.

3. 
    
   Basic Rests

   REST TYPES: The rest types are the same as in any other form of music. A whole rest means that for that measure, there is nothing played. A half rest means that half the measure is silent, and so forth. Pay attention to what comes before and after the rests so you know the right time to rest.

4. 
    
   Basic Bars

   PERCUSSION STANZAS: Often a percussion score is written for the individual percussion instrument in that it looks like a single line with the beats marked by regular notes or cymbal notes. Since there is no real change in pitch, there is usually no need for the regular music bar.

5. DRUM SET STANZAS: When there is a change in pitch (more than one drum), a regular music stave is used. These can be written differently as the style depends on the person writing it, but generally it takes this form. Snare notes on the middle line, tom notes in the spaces between the lines, cymbal notes above the top line, hi-hat notes above the cymbal notes, and the foot pedal markings are placed below the bottom line with bass pedal using a drum note and hi-hat pedal using a cymbal note.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't like the way the music has been written out for you, write it out in your own style. This will help you keep things straight and learn the music faster.
• This is only a generalization. Some people use different methods than others. If you have questions ask someone who plays to show you.

[athome]

on 4/1/2009 Good information on reading music, my son is starting to read music for guitar 5*