Notation
Notation
Notation
Snare
Bass
Bass
Tom
Tom
Tom
Tom
Tom
H.H.Hand
Open
Closed
H.H.Foot
Ride
Crash
China
Cowbell
Ex. 3. Snare Drum, Bass Drum One, and Bass Drum Two Staff Positions
tional five-line staff system. In addition, all drumset music should employ
the neutral clef (also called the percussion clef) to indicate that staff position locations are not indicative of precise pitch.
Snare Drum and Bass Drums
The snare drum should be written on
the third space in the staff. This staff
position was employed in over 86% of
precisely notated performance literature, and in 97% of all improvisational
charts included in the survey.
Works calling for a single bass drum
should place this instrument on the
first space of the staff. This location is
used in nearly 70% of all precisely notated performance literature, and over
97% of all improvisational works. When
a second bass drum is required, it
should be scored on the first line of the
staff. Over 57% of all precisely notated
drumset literature that require a sec-
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tion for the crash cymbal, a logical consistency is achieved when a composition calls for the use of the three most
common cymbals (this would include all
of the surveyed works written in an
improvisational notational style and all
but a few works written in precise notation): hi-hat cymbals are notated on
spaces of the staff and the hanging, or
suspended cymbals, are notated on
lines of the staff.
44
J .
H.H.2
Ride2
Crash2
Crash3
( )
( )
( )
44
(
J
Ox
44
44
44
O
x
Ox
x
O
44
44
4
4 .
4
4 .
It is recommended that drumset music be written in one or two voices, depending on the musical context and the
voicing that will provide the clearest intentions of the composer or arranger.
Generally speaking, passages that are
often called beats contain one or more
instruments that perform an ostinato
passage and one or more instruments
that play a rhythmic figure of more
freedom. Passages such as this are best
notated in two voices. Passages that
can be described as fills (horizontal or
linear lines rather than a homophonic
or vertical structure) are often best
notated as a single voice. Changes between one and two voices in the same
measure should be avoided. However,
changes between one and two voices
from one measure to another measure
are acceptable.
Following general notational prac-
tices, when two lines of music are written on the same staff, the stems of the
upper part are drawn upward, the
stems of the lower part downward, regardless of the position on the staff.16
The position of rests placed upon the
staff can be shifted so that it is clear to
what line the rest belongs. However, if
a rest is common to both lines, it can
appear once at its normal position on
the staff.17
BeatersThe most common beater,
other than the normal drum stick, is
the brush, and the most common
method of indicating the use of a brush
is the written word. It is recommended
that beaters be indicated by written
word unless the composer or arranger
feels that fast changes between a number of different beaters would be better
understood by graphic symbols. If
graphic symbols are to be used, they
PERCUSSIVE NOTES JUNE 1994
44
or
.
44
Snare as written
Ad Lib.
Ad Lib.
44 J J
>J > >
J
J
Ex. 25. Time Pattern Notation Without Variation
Ad Lib.
44
rienced players would certainly not
expect to play the basic time pattern
note-for-note, as the ad lib. indication
clearly shows the composers intent.
Time StylesIt is suggested that
composers offer basic beat patterns
that contain written notes for two or
more instruments of the drumset. Composers and arrangers can use the following methods to indicate that the
performer is to play time for an
extended period after the initial basic
beat pattern has been introduced: A
written beat pattern should be used
when specific rhythmic figures are
desired or if the performer is to play
certain rhythms exactly as written. In
such cases, the composer or arranger
may choose to add indications such as
24
Similar to the use of the term in orchestral parts, Solo indicates than no
other instruments in the ensemble are
playing, or that the part is to stand out
from the remaining instruments in the
ensemble. The term Fill is much less
specific, and should be used for all indications that are not solos. Three methods of notation are recommended for
fills and solos: Precise fillswhen the
arranger knows exactly what he or she
wants the performer to play; Rhythmic
fillswhen the arranger knows what
rhythm the drummer should play, but
will leave the exact instrumentation up
to the performer; and Free fillswhen
the arranger allows the drummer to
create rhythms and voicings for the
passage.
PERCUSSIVE NOTES JUNE 1994
Fill
4
4
As written
Fill
44
44
Fill
Solo
44
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