5 Vital Rumors About Drum Notes And Score!

Posted on February 22, 2008

When it comes to Score-Reading many young drummers ask why they should waste time with those black points and strange signs. It’s more fun to drum without looking at the paper - they think.

Ambitioned guys, who probably have learned another instrument before, know what notations can do for a musician. And yes, not only classical violinists are musicians - rock drummers are musicians as well!

The Truth About Drum Notation And Score!

When you start to learn an instrument seriously, which means that you have some ambitions to become a good player, you have to finish off some rumors about notes, score-reading and -writing.

Most people don’t know that you can play drums from a music-sheet, score or however you call it. People only trust in pianists when it comes to written music. It’s no wonder that especially drummers have to discuss this topic on and on.

5 Vital Rumors About Drum Notation And Score vs. The Truth

Rumor 1:
Drummers don’t need any score; it’s only hitting and striking.

Truth: Drumming is a complicated thing. You need to develop a good technique in both your hands, the feet and brain. Only looking at other drummers and listening to songs you never understand 100% is not enough to increase your abilities. Better stick your nose into some of the numerous score books as well.

Rumor 2:
Only well educated professors can understand scores.

Truth: This might be true when we’re thinking about Beethoven’s handwritten symphony sheets. Fortunately we don’t need to understand them. We are drummers of the 21st Century; our sheets are relatively simple and look sexy. Everybody can read and write drum notations, that’s why they were made.

Rumor 3:
You must be able to read and play from any unknown music sheet.

Truth: Not really. It’s certainly a great performance to do so, but in most of the cases nobody wants you to jump into a pool of cold water. The black points and lines are there to be helpful and supporting, Score-Reading is no Olympic Discipline and no secret language for magicians.

Rumor 4:
You won’t be able to play without notes anymore.

Truth: That’s nonsense! Notes rather help you to understand what you’re doing on the drums. This will make you feel much better and relaxed while playing. From notations you will also learn much about musical arrangements, songs and music at all. Notes don’t imprison you, they’ll set you free.

Rumor 5:
From notes you will become a technical player with no feeling.

Truth: This one always appears when all other arguments were smashed. It’s a typical “I’m from the 60’s and too lazy for work out” statement. Read the signs of time: 60’s are over and Paradiddles rule! You will see, the more technical skills and better knowledge you develop, the more feeling and groove you can transport.

If you still are afraid of Score-Reading just imagine that you will learn it from scratch. Note by note, it’s easier than you think. Accept your drum score as a pretty normal thing. It’s nothing to worry about, that’s the truth ;)

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