Drum music is usually written in the spaces of the bass staff, including the space above the staff; to represent different parts of the drum kit. The most commonly used system is shown below. Notice that cymbals are notated with an X instead of a notehead.
The following example demonstrates a simple Rock beat on the drums. Follow the notation as you listen to the recording and then try reading the notation without the recording and imagining the sounds of the drums as you follow the notes.
When a bass player is working out what to play with a drum part, the first thing they usually look at is where the bass drum falls. It is common for the bass and bass drum to play together, as demonstrated in the next example.