This page contains musical theory pertaining to rhythm in general which relates to all instruments. Specific drum related items are also covered here and throughout the program.

STAFF

Drum music is generally represented on a staff which are the 5 lines and spaces in between them. Short auxiliary lines, called leger lines may be added either above or below the staff.

BARLINES

A vertical line drawn through the staff is called a barline. The first note or rest of a bar always falls straight after a barline. The completion of a musical phrase or sentence, verse, chorus etc is indicated by a double barline. The end of a piece or song, or exercise is indicated by a double bar, consisting of one light line and one heavy line. Dotted double bars called repeat signs, indicate that a section of music is to be repeated.

REPEAT ENDINGS

At the end of a musical verse, strain or section there sometimes occurs more than one ending. After repeating the first time the 1st ending is replaced by the 2nd ending.

NOTE & REST VALUES

The duration of musical sounds (long or short) is indicated by different types of notes. The symbols in the bottom example are the respective rests of each note.

Whole note - Half note - Quarter note - 8th note - 16th note - 32nd note

RELATIVE NOTE VALUES CHART

DOTTED NOTES

Placing a dot immediately after a note increases its value by one half. A note without a dot worth one beat (quarter note/crotchet) would be worth one and a half with a dot.

Dots can be placed after rests too. Placing two dots immediately after a note or rest increases its value by three quarters.

TIME SIGNATURES

Time signatures tell you how many notes are in the bar and what type of feel the music will be. The most common is 4/4, 4 quarter notes in every bar. There are however many others used commonly in all styles. The first group are simple time signatures.

The second group are compound time signatures. A compound time signatures is where the beat or pulse falls on a dotted note and is divisable by three. This creates a wind type of feel.

The last group are odd time signatures where the number of beats in each bar is an odd number.

COUNTING

Counting out loud while playing will help you learn and get inside the music better.

DYNAMICS

Dynamics refer to varying degrees of volume and power.

mp, mezzo piano means moderately soft

p, piano means soft

pp, pianissimo means very soft

ppp, means as soft as possible

mf, mezzo forte, means moderately loud

f, forte means loud

ff, fortissimo means very loud

fff, means as loud as possible

sf or sfz, sforzando means forced - with sudden emphasis

fp, forte piano means loud then suddenly soft