{"id":47572,"date":"2023-11-01T13:10:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-01T20:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/?p=47572"},"modified":"2023-11-23T13:56:39","modified_gmt":"2023-11-23T21:56:39","slug":"drum-terms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/drum-terms\/","title":{"rendered":"100+ Drum Terms: A Beginner’s List"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether you’re a new drummer<\/a> or you’re looking to brush up on your knowledge, this glossary of terms will help you get familiar with modern lingo and feel more confident behind the kit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You probably aren’t here to browse through over 100 words about drumming, so get that Ctrl+F<\/strong> (or \u2318+F<\/strong>) going and find the definitions you’ve been confused about!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Accent<\/strong>: A note that is played louder or with more emphasis than others.
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  2. Acoustic Drum Kit<\/a><\/strong>: A traditional drum set that doesn’t use electronic amplification.
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  3. Attack<\/strong>: The initial sound of a drum or cymbal when struck.
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  4. Auxiliary Percussion<\/strong>: Additional percussion instruments used alongside the main drum set, like cowbells, woodblocks, or shakers.
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  5. Backbeat<\/strong>: The strong accent on the second and fourth beats in 4\/4 time, typically played on the snare drum.
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  6. Barking<\/strong>: A technique where slightly open hi-hat cymbals are struck on the edge immediately before they’re closed, producing a sharp, barking sound.
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  7. Bass Drum<\/strong>: The largest drum in a kit, played with a foot pedal.
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  8. Bearing Edge<\/strong>: The edge of a drum shell where it contacts the drumhead.
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  9. Beater<\/strong>: The part of a bass drum pedal that strikes the drumhead.
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  10. Bell<\/strong>: The rounded top of a cymbal that produces a distinct, sharp sound.
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  11. Blast Beat<\/a><\/strong>: A drumming technique that involves rapid alternating strokes on the snare and bass drum, common in extreme metal genres.
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  12. Boom Stand<\/a>:<\/strong> A type of cymbal stand that features an adjustable arm (boom) to allow for more flexible positioning of cymbals around the drum kit.
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  13. Brushes<\/a><\/strong>: A pair of wire brushes used for softer drumming sounds.
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  14. Buzz Roll<\/a><\/strong>: A drum roll produced by allowing the sticks to bounce several times on the drum head. Also known as a ‘multiple bounce roll’.
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  15. China Cymbal<\/a><\/strong>: A type of cymbal with an upturned edge, producing a trashy sound.
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  16. Choke<\/strong>: Grabbing a cymbal after striking to stop its sound abruptly.
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  17. Chops<\/a><\/strong>: A slang term used to refer to a drummer’s technical skill, agility, and rhythmic vocabulary on the drum set.
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  18. Clave<\/strong>: A rhythmic pattern used as a tool for timing in various music styles.
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  19. Click Track<\/strong>: An audio pulse used to maintain a consistent tempo. May be used interchangeably with ‘metronome’.
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  20. Clutch<\/strong>: A mechanism attached to the top cymbal of a hi-hat stand used to tighten or loosen the cymbals and control them with the foot pedal.
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  21. Common Time: <\/strong>A time signature of 4\/4 (four beats per measure with each beat represented by a quarter note), the most widely used time signature in Western music.
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  22. Cowbell<\/strong>: A hollow metal percussion instrument often mounted on a drum kit.
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  23. Crash Cymbal<\/a><\/strong>: A cymbal used to create a loud, crashing sound.
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  24. Cross Stick<\/a><\/strong>: Technique where the stick is laid across the drum and struck against the rim.
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  25. Cymbal Stacker: <\/strong>An accessory that screws onto a cymbal stand, allowing drummers to stack multiple cymbals vertically in a limited space.
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  26. Cymbal Stand<\/a><\/strong>: A metal stand specifically designed to hold a cymbal.
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  27. Dampening<\/a><\/strong>: Reducing overtones and sustain on a drum, usually with gels or pads.
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  28. Die-Cast Hoop<\/strong>: A type of drum hoop made from a mold, known for its durability and focused sound.
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  29. Displacement:<\/strong> Shifting a rhythmic pattern or beat by a certain number of subdivisions or beats within a measure. This changes where you feel the downbeat and can add complexity to the arrangement.
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  30. Double Bass<\/a><\/strong>: Using two bass drums or a double pedal<\/a> for rapid bass drum playing.
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  31. Double-Braced Stand:<\/strong> A stand that has two sets of metal supports making up each leg (instead of one) for better stability and durability.
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  32. Double Stroke Roll<\/a><\/strong>: A rudiment consisting of two strokes per hand, alternately.
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  33. Double Time: <\/strong>Playing at twice the speed of the original tempo, often used to increase the energy and intensity of a musical passage.
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  34. Downbeat<\/strong>: The first beat of a measure, often emphasized and serving as the primary pulse or rhythmic anchor in a piece of music.
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  35. Drag<\/a><\/strong>: A rudiment consisting of a double grace note (two quick, quiet strokes) played just before the primary stroke, creating a dragging sound effect.
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  36. Drop Clutch:<\/strong> A special hi-hat clutch that allows drummers to disengage and drop the top hi-hat cymbal by hitting the clutch with a stick, useful for maintaining a closed hi-hat sound while playing double bass drum patterns.
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  37. Drum Fill<\/a><\/strong>: A short drumming pattern that fills a gap between musical phrases or introduces a new section.
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  38. Drum Key<\/a><\/strong>: A tool used to tune drums and adjust certain drum equipment.
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  39. Drum Roll<\/a><\/strong>: A rapid succession of drum strokes that create a sustained sound.
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  40. Drum Set: <\/strong>A collection of drums, cymbals, and other percussion instruments arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. Also known as a ‘drum kit’.
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  41. Drum Tab<\/a>:<\/strong> A form of musical notation specifically for drums that uses text and symbols to represent different drum and cymbal hits. Short for ‘tablature’, it’s easier to read than traditional drum notation.
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  42. Drum Tech:<\/strong> Short for ‘drum technician’, this is a professional responsible for setting up, maintaining, and tuning a drummer’s equipment.
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  43. Dynamics<\/strong>: The volume variations in playing, from soft to loud.
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  44. E-Drum<\/strong>: Short for electronic drum.
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  45. Electronic Drum Kit<\/a><\/strong>: A drum set that uses electronic pads and triggers.
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  46. Fanning<\/a>:<\/strong> A technique where the drummer rapidly opens and closes the hi-hat cymbals while alternating strokes between the top and bottom.
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  47. Flam<\/a><\/strong>: A drumming technique involving two strokes close together – a grace note that precedes the primary note.
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  48. Flanged Hoop<\/strong>: A type of drum hoop with a flange, used to influence the drum’s tone and sustain.
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  49. Floor Tom<\/strong>: A large, low-tuned tom drum that stands on legs and is typically part of a drum kit.
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  50. Four on the Floor<\/a><\/strong>: A pattern where the bass drum is hit on every quarter note beat in 4\/4 time.
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  51. Ghost Note<\/a><\/strong>: A note played very softly, almost inaudible.
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  52. Gong<\/strong>: A large, flat, vertically suspended cymbal – typically played by striking it with a mallet – it produces a loud, sustained, and sometimes explosive sound, commonly used in symphonic and Asian music.
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  53. Gong Drum<\/strong>: A large, single-headed drum that produces a deep, resonant sound, similar to a gong but played with drumsticks or mallets.
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  54. Grip<\/strong>: The way a drummer holds the drumsticks<\/a>.
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  55. Groove<\/strong>: The rhythmic feel or swing in music, especially in the context of a drum pattern. Can also be used synonymously with ‘drum beat’.
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  56. Half-Time<\/strong>: A rhythm that feels half as fast as the song’s main beat.
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  57. Hardware<\/a><\/strong>: The metal stands and fittings on a drum kit.
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  58. Heel-Toe Technique<\/strong>: A bass drum pedal technique that involves alternate use of the heel and toe to play fast rhythms.
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  59. Hi-Hat<\/a><\/strong>: A pair of cymbals mounted on a stand, played with a foot pedal.
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  60. Hi-Hat Clutch<\/strong>: A device that secures the top cymbal of a hi-hat to the rod.
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  61. Hi-Hat Stand<\/a><\/strong>: A stand that holds the hi-hat cymbals.
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  62. Hoop:<\/strong> The circular metal or wooden ring that holds and stretches the drumhead over the drum shell, influencing the drum’s sound and tension.
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  63. Hybrid Drums<\/a><\/strong>: A combination of acoustic and electronic drum components.
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  64. Independence<\/strong>: A drummer’s ability to play different rhythms and patterns with each limb simultaneously.
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  65. In-Ear Monitor<\/a><\/strong>: A personal earphone monitor – basically advanced ear buds.
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  66. Kick Drum<\/strong>: Another term for the bass drum.
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  67. Lathing<\/strong>: The process of machining spiral grooves into a cymbal, which affects its sound characteristics like tone, sustain, and volume.
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  68. Lick:<\/strong> A short and distinctive, memorable rhythmic pattern or phrase that can be used as a musical ornament within a drumming performance.
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  69. Linear Drumming<\/a><\/strong>: A style of drumming where no two drums or cymbals are struck simultaneously.
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  70. Lug<\/strong>: A tensioning device attached to a drum shell.
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  71. Mallet<\/strong>: A type of drumstick<\/a> with a large, soft head, used for swells or muffled hits on cymbals, marching drums or timpani.
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  72. Metronome<\/strong>: A device used to keep a steady tempo.
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  73. Moeller Method<\/a><\/strong>: A drumming technique that involves a whipping motion that lets you play faster and more relaxed.
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  74. Muffling<\/a><\/strong>: Reducing the resonance of a drum using various materials.
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  75. Odd Time<\/a>:<\/strong> Time signatures that are not divisible by two or three and result in rhythmic patterns with an odd number of beats per measure (like 5\/4 or 7\/8).
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  76. Ostinato:<\/strong> A repeating rhythmic or percussive pattern that creates a foundation over which you can play other things.
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  77. Overhead Mics<\/a><\/strong>: Microphones placed above the drum kit to capture the overall sound.
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  78. Paradiddle<\/a><\/strong>: A basic drumming rudiment alternating between single and double strokes (RLRR LRLL).
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  79. Pedal<\/strong>: A lever operated by the foot, as in bass drum or hi-hat pedals.
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  80. Percussion Clef:<\/strong> A symbol of two vertical bars that indicates that lines and spaces on the staff represent drum and cymbal sounds instead of musical pitches.
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  81. Pocket<\/a><\/strong>: The great-feeling groove or rhythm created by a drummer when they play in a way that is tightly synchronized with the rest of the music.
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  82. Polyrhythm<\/strong>: The simultaneous use of two or more conflicting rhythms.
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  83. Practice Pad<\/a><\/strong>: A small pad used for quiet drum practice.
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  84. Quintuplet<\/a><\/strong>: A group of five notes played in the space of four.
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  85. Rack<\/strong>: A metal frame used to mount various drums and cymbals.
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  86. Rack Tom<\/strong>: A smaller tom drum, typically mounted above the bass drum.
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  87. Resonant Head<\/strong>: The bottom head of a drum, which resonates with the top head.
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  88. Ride Cymbal<\/a><\/strong>: A large cymbal used for playing steady, articulate patterns, typically with the tip of the drumstick.
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  89. Rim<\/strong>: The edge of a drum on which the drumhead is stretched.
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  90. Rim Click<\/strong>: Striking the rim of a drum with a stick to produce a click sound.
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  91. Rim Shot<\/strong>: Striking the drumhead and the rim at the same time for a loud accent.
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  92. Roto Toms<\/strong>: Drums with no shell that are tuned by rotating the drumhead.
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  93. Rudiments<\/a><\/strong>: Fundamental drumming patterns used as building blocks for more complex rhythms.
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  94. Sample Pad<\/strong>: A practice tool or electronic trigger pad that plays a sample when you hit it.
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  95. Shell<\/strong>: The body of the drum.
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  96. Shell Pack<\/strong>: A set of drums without the hardware.
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  97. Shuffle<\/strong>: A rhythmic feel characterized by a ‘triplet’ feel, common in blues and jazz.
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  98. Side Drum: <\/strong>Another term for a snare drum that may refer to a secondary drum in a kit with the snares off.
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  99. Single Stroke Roll<\/a><\/strong>: A drumming pattern of alternating left and right strokes.
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  100. Sizzle Cymbal<\/strong>: A cymbal with rivets or chains that create a ‘sizzling’ sound.
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  101. Snare Drum<\/strong>: A drum with a ‘snare’ of wires under the bottom head that produce a sharp, cracking sound.
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  102. Snare Stand<\/a><\/strong>: A stand specifically designed to hold a snare drum.
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  103. Splash Cymbal<\/a><\/strong>: A small, thin cymbal used for quick, splashing sounds.
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  104. Stick Bag<\/a><\/strong>: A bag used to carry drumsticks, brushes, and mallets.
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  105. Stick Control<\/a><\/strong>: The ability to accurately and effectively use drumsticks.
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  106. Subdivision<\/strong>: Dividing a measure of music into smaller rhythmic units.
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  107. Swing<\/strong>: A style of drumming that emphasizes a triplet feel.
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  108. Syncopation<\/strong>: The accentuation of offbeat rhythms or the placement of accents on weak beats or subdivisions.
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  109. Tambourine<\/strong>: A handheld percussion instrument consisting of a circular frame and pairs of small metal jingles.
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  110. Tempo<\/strong>: The speed at which a piece of music is played.
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  111. Tension Rod<\/strong>: A rod used on drums to adjust the tension of the drumhead, which changes the pitch and sound of the drum.
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  112. Throne<\/a><\/strong>: Another term for a drum stool, which is a seat designed specifically for drummers.
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  113. Throw-Off<\/strong>: A mechanism that allows the drummer to engage or disengage the snare wires from the bottom of the drum, significantly altering its sound.
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  114. Time Signature<\/strong>: The notation<\/a> indicating the number of beats in each measure (top number) and the type of note that receives one beat (bottom number).
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  115. Timpani<\/strong>: A deep, resonant ‘kettle drum’ that consists of a large copper bowl with a drumhead stretched over the top, played with mallets.
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  116. Tom<\/strong>: A cylindrical drum with no snares, used in drum kits.
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  117. Trigger<\/a><\/strong>: A device used in electronic drumming to convert physical hits into electronic signals.
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  118. Triple Stroke Roll<\/a><\/strong>: Three consecutive strokes with each hand (RRRLLL)
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  119. Triplet<\/strong>: Three notes played in the time of two.
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  120. Tuning Key<\/strong>: Another term for a drum key.
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  121. Upbeats: <\/strong>The beats that occur in between the main beats of a rhythm, often serving as a syncopated or rhythmic lift.
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  122. Velocity<\/strong>: The force with which a drum or cymbal is struck.
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  123. Wing Nut: <\/strong>A type of nut with extended, wing-like projections that can be tightened or loosened by hand to secure or adjust various drum hardware components, like cymbal stands or tom mounts.
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  124. Wood Block<\/strong>: A block of wood used as a percussion instrument.
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  125. Wrap<\/strong>: A decorative covering on drum shells.
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