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Drum notation - Drum set elements in drum sheet music

Drum set elements - The primary elements in the drum set are the snare drum, the bass drum (or kick) and the hi-hat.
Every drum set includes also one or more toms, one or more floor toms and one or more cymbals.
The most common cymbals are the ride (for accompaniment) and the crash (for accented strokes). The scores shown in this page also contain the conventional symbols corresponding to the drum set elements, as commonly used in the drum sheet music related to the video lessons online.


Drums - In drum sheet music the various drum elements are represented by a rounded note.
Each note position corresponds to a specific drum set element.

Drum sheet music legend - Drums

Bass drum       Snare drum         Tom1              Tom2               Tom3               Tom4           


Cymbals - In drum sheet music cymbals and hi-hat are represented by a x-shaped note.
Each note position corresponds to a specific cymbal type.

Drum sheet music legend - Cymbals

Closed HiHat     Open HiHat       Foot HiHat            Ride             Ride Bell             Crash             



Learn to read the drum sheet music

Notes and Rests     Notes and rests value in drum sheet music.
Tie and Dot     Tie and dot in drum sheet music.

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Virtual Drumming is an interactive drums method, with free online drum lessons, drum sheet music in pdf format, and virtual drums that you can play in real time. All the drum lessons are played in real time by the virtual drummer.
Just like a music teacher the virtual drummer plays at the desired speed the lesson on the score, making drum sheet music understable even to beginners.

The basic drum lessons of this method deal with the right posture, which is the basic condition to develop speed, endurance and precision with your playing. The advanced lessons are directed to the drummer who has some experience, who knows the musical theory and basic drum techniques and wishes to improve his knowledge and his skills.
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