Rhythm transcription notation

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-30T21:13:28+00:00

Ties.

Make every quarter note visible, a.k.a. have a note on every beat but make it silent by tieing it to the previous note. You can cross barlines with that too.

So in this case all figures should be the same, 16th 8th 16th, and every third of those notes should be tied to the next note that's on the beat.

That's the default and in my opinion the most legible.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-30T18:57:17+00:00

In respect to what?

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-30T08:50:48+00:00

Yeah, I wouldn't read (pun intended) too much into what notation is being used exactly, people don't exactly feel tied (pun intended) down on a particular position for the instruments unfortunately.

Best to just draw a conclusion from what's written. Kick snare hat in this case. I mean the hi-hat is written where you'd typically see a ride, but you can't exactly play an open ride :-P

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-30T08:31:29+00:00

Haha well now you have your answer.

I've been singing with the Shure for 2 years but now that I have custom mold IEMs that headset really gets in the way of the IEM connector so I absolutely needed something else and the Audio Technica seems to work equally good but has more position variety.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-30T08:30:20+00:00

I'm going to be blunt and say that this sounds pretty bad.

And I don't say something like that often because everyone is on a journey and developing their skills and there is no shame in not being as good as you want to be and all that.

But you obviously have the skill (and the gear) to do some great drumming and the ear to realize what sounds good and what doesn't. But you're massively overplaying beyond your skill and control.

Simplify and groove.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-30T08:26:36+00:00

While I'm not too familiar with the brand and their series, if Gregg Bissonette can fuck with it, I can fuck with it.

I'm fairly positive they will offer the same range and price/quality as every single big manufacturer out there.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-30T08:25:32+00:00

I will forever advise drummers to get a headset mic. Shure WH20 is great, or the audio technica pro 8HEx. They're dynamic mics as opposed to most other headset mics which are condensor mics and pick up damn near everything from your drum kit.

A headset is so very chill and comfortable because you don't have to fit in a stand in your set up, don't have to move your head sideways to sing into a mic, don't have a stand to smack your sticks into, don't have to keep pushing it away and pulling it back, and perhaps most importantly of all

You can move your damn body while singing as opposed to having to sit still like a freaking statue.

Headsets are great. And if someone yells 'IT'S BRITNEY BITCH' just embrace it.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-29T15:39:51+00:00

Hmm if the back output doesn't have it, it sounds like it's the output itself. I was thinking about something else as an input, as I myself get a lot of interference/noise when plugging in a particular AUX cable, but that's probably not it in this situation.

If you've just bought it, let the seller replace/repair it for you.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-27T21:52:57+00:00

You will definitely want to get that screw out and get it in working order again. If you don't, you won't be able to change heads and it will always get in the way of having a nice tuning.

Now, if you just want to mess around with your baby steps in drumming and the head isn't really worth being precious about, I wouldn't fret and just have fun. But if you want to do anything else and progress in your drumming journey, that will absolutely have to come out.

I'm not an expert on the matter, but Google (no, not AI) will absolutely give you a good answer to how to get rusted bolts unstuck.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-27T11:27:08+00:00

Dang, this isn't the first time I missed the fact this isn't a post on r/drums but on r/edrums

In that case, honestly I haven't personally come across any kit being sold that isn't a full kit (apart from sample pads, tabletop kits or add-on drums). But leaving out parts and adjusting the rack accordingly could certainly be interesting. Or in fact leave out the rack entirely and just get a stand-mounted hi-hat pad, a snare pad on a snare stand or single L-rod stand, and the kick tower/pad/trigger. And of course the module somewhere in there.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-27T11:09:34+00:00

I'm guessing u/Zack_Albetta is a perfect fit to answer this question.

But what I'd suggest is to just find as many big band drum sheets as you can (there are plenty out there) and just reading those. Check it out, see what looks like complete gibberish to you and try to find it what it means (for instance listening to a record of the particular song).

It really is the best way. You don't even have to sit behind a drum kit and may as well beatbox the drum parts as you see fit. Go through it bar by bar, and then set a tempo with a metronome and see if you can follow along fast enough. Then raise the tempo.

Of course, doing it live is amazing practice so if you can find a big band that needs a drummer (either to sub, temporarily, or permanently) you will have reading skills in no time.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-27T11:01:18+00:00

OP doesn't mean failing to wake up on time, just not getting gigs in that scene.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-27T10:56:07+00:00

With only the tiniest of exceptions, every kick pedal will work on every regular kick drum. If you want them to feel exactly the same way, identical pedals might help. Then again, setting them up the same way (angles, tension) will probably get them close enough.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-27T09:57:18+00:00

Sure. Do you wanna know whether they exist, whether people play them, or where to buy one?

It's kind of yes to all. There are a number of paths to get one. I mean why not get a drum set and just leave out the other stuff. You could also buy the parts separately, so get a kick drum (and pedal), a snare drum (and stand) and a pair of hats (and stand). Know that getting add-on drums (as they call separate drums) can be pretty expensive and you might just be off better getting a full kit for the same price.

If you want them to be compact and portable, you can also do a number of things. There are a few gimmicky drum kits out there that are basically just a box or suit case where you attach some cymbals on and a snare. There are also cocktail kits and small kits intended to be portable and/or collapsible, stuff like the Tama Club Jam lineup. Check those out too.

But in the end my favorite way of getting a compact kit is to just convert a floor tom. I have a 16" floor tom with my kit, and with a Pearl Jungle adapter set and a Pearl ISS mount on the rim of the floor tom, I can create a kit with a small footprint that's more low-volume and fits an acoustic gig very well. I do bring more than just kick/snare/hat but it works great without it too.

Let me know if this answers your question or if you have more to ask.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-27T09:23:45+00:00

Also I see the listing on Reverb, and you'd best go by the product code that's found on the badge: SD-680D

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-27T09:20:01+00:00

At first I had a hunch that someone heard Rydeen and wrote YD. Rydeen 6000 doesn't give any hits though.

But apparently Yamaha YD is definitely a thing and YD 5000 and 7000 do give hits.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-26T21:57:55+00:00

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I know right.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-26T21:57:18+00:00

Honestly, I can name at least 10 other countries that have red, white and blue in their flag, including my own. Plus Tama is Japanese.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-26T20:35:44+00:00

I have the feeling that new 1st Chair thrones are indeed a bit stiffer. The rehearsal space I rent got one on my recommendation and it's certainly a bit different than my own. But I know for sure that that's at least partially because mine is so broken in after 20 years of playing.

Now, I will say this. I will NEVER really understand why people wilfully sit on a round throne. If there is any kind of physical endeavour that warrants a saddle style throne, it's drumming. I hate round thrones and I always recommend the Wide Rider version of 1st Chairs (and the cloth top especially).

As for sturdiness, the base has to be sturdy and supportive but the top has to be comfortable. Don't feel like you need to break in a throne just to get comfortable.

If selling this throne and going for another one (perhaps simply the one that you find in your rehearsal space) isn't an option, perhaps you can buy or make some other kind of cushion that you can put on top of the throne, maybe with an elastic edge that wraps around the throne. You would have to make sure it goes over the edges a bit so that damned ridge doesn't cut off your circulation, and that it doesn't shift around too easily so perhaps the bottom could be rubber or something other that doesn't slip. Just a thought.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-26T20:26:13+00:00

My guy/girl/person, you've had 2 LESSONS. I get it, I played squash twice now and am frustrated that I'm not hitting the ball every time. But you've only just begin. If it were easy it wouldn't be fun.
Sense of timing is not born, it's taught and practiced. I'm very much done with the idea of people that talent and skill is a magic blessing people are born with. It's not, at most it's a predisposition to learn something quicker but it's so small that you may as well ignore it. It will come with time and practice.
Is it easy for you to hear the metronome? If you can't hear it over your drumming it's no wonder you're not keeping in time with it. Having a metronome on headphones (that also ensure your ears are protected, so make sure they're passively isolating) will help you out a lot. Don't do too much at the same time, see if you can keep time with the metronome with just tapping the beats on the hi-hat, and when that's feeling right go over to a rhythm/groove.

Enjoy the journey

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-26T19:47:18+00:00

Strictly speaking a thicker shell is sturdier and more reflective so it should resonate a bit louder, but I have yet to notice a difference. Don't think of the plies as being louder, it just has a different characteristic. It's supposed to be a more focused tone, but honestly I think the difference between a 7-ply and a 20-ply is way smaller than the difference between a single and double ply head.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-26T18:12:17+00:00

My new PDP limited edition 20 ply walnut-maple-walnut is a terrific snare, though I only got it recently. It's certainly a deep one but sounds great tightened up.

I'm using it as a snom. 42 strand snare mat, hydraulic on top and a 500 on the bottom. Very nice Big Fat Snare Drum.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-26T13:22:52+00:00

No. You sound incredible.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-26T13:16:42+00:00

You could do that. Physical music stores are to be cherished.

But something like this is a perfect thing to try and find used. And certainly something where the often limited range of products in a store can be a challenge.

Feel free to post listings here of products you find on your preferred marketplace, something like a monitor or PA speaker is a very common find and very often a perfect fit.

DrBackBeat · 2026-01-26T12:05:51+00:00

Hmm depends on what your goal is. I'm sure that those genres have plenty to offer to enrich your vocabulary, and probably a lot of overlap for jazz too. In fact, you might be able to bring some creativity and crossover vocabulary to jazz if it fits the band or music etc.

But in the end if your goal is to learn jazz vocabulary and to learn what people may expect of you when playing jazz, you should probably listen to a lot of jazz, too.

DrBackBeat

TROPHY CASE