Basic Music Theory: How to Read, Write, and Understand Written Music

To Fathom the Rhythm Clef

people know what a drum set looks like. If not, here you go (extra points

if you can name the parts that are missing in the drum set below...).

In order to read music for the drum set, the drummer has to know where

each instrument is written on the rhythm staff. Curious about what that

might look like? Well, here it is, but don’t worry about the kinds of notes

you see—they get explained in the next Part.:

For example, rhythms for the bass drum will always be written on that

first space. Rhythms for snare drum will always be written on the third

space. Etcetera, etcetera.

X Marks the Cymbal Spot, Maybe

The x notes in a rhythm clef usually show the cymbal part, but they can

also be used to show the triangle part, or the cowbell part, or any other

small percussion instrument.

Instruments and where they are on the staff are usually defined at the

beginning of a piece of music, and what shows a triangle in one piece

may be used for cowbell in a different song. It’s always best to check

the beginning directions to be sure.

ride cymbal

floor tom

bass drum

snare drum

hi-hat

high tom-tom

bass drum

low tom-tom

snare drum

middle tom-tom

high tom-tom

hi-hat ride cymbal

(with foot)

high hat (with sticks)

crash cymbals