The Cymbals
The following examples involve the use of the hi-hat, ride and crash cymbals. Each of these has a different sound and is used for a different purpose in music. Generally cymbals ring for longer than drums (except for the closed hi-hats) and are used for more sustained sounds.
The example below makes use of the ride cymbal and the snare drum. Listen as you play and notice that the ride cymbal rings for a long time, while the snare drum doesn’t ring much at all after it has been hit. (* Note – cymbals are usually indicated with an x instead of a notehead, but the whole note has been used here to show that the cymbal keeps ringing.
The Whole Note
This is a whole note. It lasts for four beats. There is one whole note in one bar of * time.
The Whole Rest
This symbol is a whole rest. It indicates four beats of silence. Small counting numbers are placed under rests.
This example uses both the ride cymbal and the crash cymbal which is indicated by an x inside a circle. The example also contains whole rests. Listen to the difference in sound between the ride cymbal and the crash cymbal.
The Half Note
This music note is called a half note. It has a value of two beats. There are two half notes in one bar of * time.
The Half Rest
This symbol is a half rest. It indicates two beats of silence.
This example makes use of the half note and the half rest. Once again, be sure to count out loud as you play. All the drum notes are played with the left hand, while all the cymbal notes are played with the right hand.
To finish this lesson, here is a drum solo which makes use of all the drums and cymbals you have been using and all the note values you have learnt so far. In this example, the ride cymbal is indicated with an x. This is the traditional method of indicating a note to be played on a cymbal. Practice the solo slowly with a metronome until you are confident and then try playing along with the recording.
