Uploaded January 2022 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Drum notation is a form of writing down music specific to percussion instruments. It’s quick and easy to learn. Think of it as a language for drums. If you know how to read and write drum notation, then you know how to communicate musically with others. To read drum notation, you need to learn the different symbols. These symbols tell you what part of the drum set to play and when. By learning how to read drum notation, you’ll be able to quickly play a rhythm or drum beat, even if you’ve never heard it before.
Learning to read drum notation is essential for drummers who want to improve their timing,
coordination, and musical communication. schoolofrock.com/resources/drums/drum-notation-for-beginners
In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll break down the basics of drum notation, including how to
read drum notes, time signatures, rhythms, and repeat signs. You’ll learn the differences
between bass drum, snare, hi-hat, cymbals, toms, and percussion notation, plus essential drum
techniques like ghost notes, flams, rim clicks, and accents. We’ll also explore how to practice
with drum notation software, use metronomes, and break down complex rhythms into smaller
parts.
Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your skills, this video will help you build
confidence in reading and playing drum music. Start reading drum notation today and take your
drumming to the next level!
00:00 Intro
00:40 What is Drum Notation?
01:38 How to Read Drum Notation
02:21 Bass Notation
02:35 Floor Tom Notation
02:52 Tom Notation
03:12 Snare Drum Notation
03:33 Cymbal Notation
03:48 Hi-Hat Notation
04:23 Crash Cymbal Notation
04:58 Reading the Music Staff for Drums
05:17 How to Read Time Signatures
06:33 How to Read Repeat Signs
06:44 Repeat Signs
07:00 One-Bar Repeat Signs
07:07 Two-Bar Repeat Signs
07:23 Knowing How to Hit the Drums
07:38 Striking the Drums
08:15 The Accent Drum Technique
08:50 The Marcato Drum Technique
09:08 The Ghost Note Drum Technique
09:39 The Flam Drum Technique
10:00 The Drag Drum Technique
10:29 The Rim-Click Drum Technique
10:52 How to Hit Cymbals
11:06 Striking the Cymbal or Hi-Hat
11:33 The Crash Bell Drum Technique
11:49 The Choke Crash Drum Technique
12:17 The China Drum Technique
12:32 The Splash Drum Technique
12:54 Loose Hi-Hat Drum Technique
13:19 Other Drum Techniques
13:30 What Are Soft One-Handed Rolls?
13:39 Tips for Beginning to Read Drum Notation
16:35 Ready to Learn How to Play Drums?
Learn more about our bass guitar lessons: schoolofrock.com/music-lessons/drum-lessons
Read the written version of this guide: schoolofrock.com/resources/drums/drum-notation-for-beginners
Follow us:
Facebook: facebook.com/SchoolofRockUSA
Twitter: twitter.com/SchoolOfRockUSA
Instagram: instagram.com/schoolofrock
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/school-of-rock
Visit our website: schoolofrock.com
Drum notation is a form of writing down music specific to percussion instruments. It’s quick and easy to learn. Think of it as a language for drums. If you know how to read and write drum notation, then you know how to communicate musically with others. To read drum notation, you need to learn the different symbols. These symbols tell you what part of the drum set to play and when. By learning how to read drum notation, you’ll be able to quickly play a rhythm or drum beat, even if you’ve never heard it before.
Learning to read drum notation is essential for drummers who want to improve their timing,
coordination, and musical communication. schoolofrock.com/resources/drums/drum-notation-for-beginners
In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll break down the basics of drum notation, including how to
read drum notes, time signatures, rhythms, and repeat signs. You’ll learn the differences
between bass drum, snare, hi-hat, cymbals, toms, and percussion notation, plus essential drum
techniques like ghost notes, flams, rim clicks, and accents. We’ll also explore how to practice
with drum notation software, use metronomes, and break down complex rhythms into smaller
parts.
Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your skills, this video will help you build
confidence in reading and playing drum music. Start reading drum notation today and take your
drumming to the next level!
00:00 Intro
00:40 What is Drum Notation?
01:38 How to Read Drum Notation
02:21 Bass Notation
02:35 Floor Tom Notation
02:52 Tom Notation
03:12 Snare Drum Notation
03:33 Cymbal Notation
03:48 Hi-Hat Notation
04:23 Crash Cymbal Notation
04:58 Reading the Music Staff for Drums
05:17 How to Read Time Signatures
06:33 How to Read Repeat Signs
06:44 Repeat Signs
07:00 One-Bar Repeat Signs
07:07 Two-Bar Repeat Signs
07:23 Knowing How to Hit the Drums
07:38 Striking the Drums
08:15 The Accent Drum Technique
08:50 The Marcato Drum Technique
09:08 The Ghost Note Drum Technique
09:39 The Flam Drum Technique
10:00 The Drag Drum Technique
10:29 The Rim-Click Drum Technique
10:52 How to Hit Cymbals
11:06 Striking the Cymbal or Hi-Hat
11:33 The Crash Bell Drum Technique
11:49 The Choke Crash Drum Technique
12:17 The China Drum Technique
12:32 The Splash Drum Technique
12:54 Loose Hi-Hat Drum Technique
13:19 Other Drum Techniques
13:30 What Are Soft One-Handed Rolls?
13:39 Tips for Beginning to Read Drum Notation
16:35 Ready to Learn How to Play Drums?
Learn more about our bass guitar lessons: schoolofrock.com/music-lessons/drum-lessons
Read the written version of this guide: schoolofrock.com/resources/drums/drum-notation-for-beginners
Follow us:
Facebook: facebook.com/SchoolofRockUSA
Twitter: twitter.com/SchoolOfRockUSA
Instagram: instagram.com/schoolofrock
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/school-of-rock
Visit our website: schoolofrock.com
