The Dotted Quarter Note
Although most drum beats are written in their basic beat subdivision (e.g. eighth notes), it is worth learning how the rhythms would be written if they were not accompanied by a continuous eighth note cymbal pattern. Some of the bass drum parts from the previous lesson involve the use of the dotted quarter note, which is shown below.
A dot written after a quarter note means that you hold the note for one and a half beats.
A dotted quarter note is often followed by an eighth note.
Here is an exercise to help you become more familiar with the dotted quarter note. Play it with alternating hands and then with each hand by itself.
Now try this one which uses the rhythm from the first bar of the previous example first on the bass drum and then between the bass drum, the snare drum and the toms (played by the left hand). The rhythm is accompanied by eighth notes on the hi-hats.
The Eighth Rest
This symbol is a eighth rest. It indicates half a beat of silence.
Here is a note reading exercise which makes use of the eighth rest. When using rests, counting is particularly important so you don’t get lost and play notes in the wrong place.
