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Drummers vocabulary

Drummer vocabulary

  • Roll

    rowl

    noun

    A sustained sound on a drum, achieved by playing many strokes very closely together, creating the impression of a long tone.

  • Ghost note

    gowst nowt

    noun

    In drum-set playing, very soft notes played between accents on the snare drum.

  • Accent

    ak·sent

    noun

    In music, a note that is played louder than the other notes.

  • Beater/beater ball

    bee·tr baal

    noun

    The element of the bass drum pedal that strikes the head when the pedal is pressed down. Typically, the beater is a metal rod with a felt ball on the end.

  • Rimshot

    rim·shaat

    noun

    Hitting the drumhead and rim of a drum (usually the snare drum) simultaneously, producing a much sharper accent than hitting just the drumhead.

  • Choke

    chowk

    verb

    The act of grabbing a cymbal with one’s hand to stop it from sustaining.

  • Rudiments

    roo·duh·muhnts

    noun

    A specific collection of drumming patterns with specific strokes and stickings that create a common language of drumming.

  • Sticking

    sti·kuhng

    noun

    The order of right and left strokes to be used when playing a rhythm.

  • Setlist

    set·list

    noun

    An ordered list of the songs that are to be played at a gig/concert.