Notes Used In Drum Beats
The note values most commonly used in drum notation are the quarter note, the eighth note and the sixteenth note. Most drum beats and patterns are made up of combinations of some or all of these note types.
The Whole Note
This is a whole note. It lasts for four beats. There is one whole note in one bar of * time.
The Whole Rest
This symbol is a whole rest. It indicates four beats of silence. Small counting numbers are placed under rests.
The following example contains eight bars of music to be played on the snare drum. It uses only whole notes and whole rests. It is important to count out loud as you play and keep a steady tempo. Play the example with the right hand and then the left hand, then try alternating.
The Half Note
This music note is called a half note. It has a value of two beats. There are two half notes in one bar of * time.
The Half Rest
This symbol is a half rest. It indicates two beats of silence.
This example makes use of the half note and the half rest. Once again, be sure to count out loud as you play and practice it with both the right and left hands.
The Quarter Note
This is a quarter note. It lasts for one beat.
There are four quarter notes in one bar of * time.
The Quarter Rest
This symbol is a quarter rest. It indicates one beat of silence.
The following example uses quarter notes and quarter rests. There are several ways to play this example. First, alternate the hands RLRL and then reverse them (LRLR). Once you can do this strongly and evenly at a reasonable tempo, play the example with one hand at a time (RRRR etc and LLLL etc). This will help to prepare you for actual drum beats and fills.
This example uses whole notes, half notes and quarter notes. Remember to keep an even tempo and count out loud as you play. Counting is very important for drummers, as the rest of the band will be relying on you to keep solid time even if they make mistakes! Counting out loud right from the beginning, along with the use of a metronome or drum machine is the best way to develop a good sense of time.
