Reading Drum Notation
This lesson is intended to give you a quick-overview of all the drum notation symbols used on this website. You can think of this page as a drum-key or legend for all the different drum set voices that you play within beats, fills, and solo patterns. You can refer back to this page if you are ever uncertain about what is to be played within certain sheet music exercises.
Note: Each measure includes four quarter notes that repeat the symbol used to notate various drum set voices. Keep an eye on the vertical position and note-shapes. They are the main differences between symbols.
Use this lesson in conjuction with the lessons on counting quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, eighth note triplets, sixteenth note triplets, thirty-second notes, and rests if you want to master the ability to sight-read drum notation. It's an extremely valuable skill to have as a drummer!
