Some of the most commonly misinterpreted drumming terms are covered in this mini-dictionary of drumming definitions.
We’ve chosen one drumming-related word for each letter of the alphabet for this drumming dictionary.
Learn these if you’re starting out on drums to help get a head-start in some of the more tricky terms and definitions you’ll come across as a drummer.
ACCENT
A louder note within a group of notes. An accent pattern creates a distinct rhythm within a pattern of notes.
BACKBEAT
Accenting beats 2 and 4 within a bar of a 4/4 groove.
COMPING
Usually a jazz term meaning “accompanying” or “complimenting”.
DYNAMICS
How loudly or softly a section of music or specific notes are played.
EGGBEATERS
A drum rudiment played as a quintuplet, formed of a triple stroke in one hand and a double stroke in the other.
FLAM
A flam is a rudiment consisting of a quiet note played by one hand followed immediately by a louder stroke on the other. The two notes are played almost at the same time, creating the effect of the two notes “as one”.
GHOST NOTE
A note played very lightly, usually on the snare, between other notes within a groove.
HALF TIME FEEL
In 4/4 time signature, half time would be a groove with a snare backbeat on beat 3 of the bar and a bass drum downbeat on beat 1.
INDEPENDENCE
Playing different parts with your different limbs independently, whilst being coordinated so that the greater pattern sounds “together”.
JAMMING
Improvising without preparation, usually with other musicians – but as a drummer you might jam by yourself or along with a recording to make up new drum parts.
KIRIBA
One of the oldest and most traditional Cuban styles played on percussion instruments. Son and other Latin rhythms have common roots with Kiriba.
LINEAR DRUMMING
Grooves or fills where the stickings do not fall together; every note is separated as in a line.
MOELLER METHOD
A system of hand motions to help drummers play controlled notes with speed and accuracy; typically formed of 4 strokes (Down, Up, Tap and Full).
NANIGO
A popular jazz-latin rhythm in 6/8 time signature.
OSTINATO
A repeating pattern played by one or more limbs while other limbs play parts across the pattern.
PERMUTATION
Moving a phrase so that it starts at a different point, creating a new rudiment or phrase.
QUINTUPLET
A group of 5 notes taking the space of one beat.
RUDIMENT
A pattern that forms the basic building blocks or ‘vocabulary’ of drumming; e.g. Single Strokes, Double Strokes, Paradiddles, Flams.
SYNCOPATION
The placement of notes in an “unexpected” arrangement to create a distinctive rhythm.
TEMPO
The speed the music is played, measured in beats per minute (BPM).
UP BEAT
Opposite of the Down Beat (which is the strong pulse emphasised as part of a rhythm), so the Up Beat is usually the weaker note falling between the notes of the pulse. “Upbeat” can also mean up-tempo.
VAMP
Playing around a section of music for an undefined amount of time, waiting for a cue.
WALT-DIDDLE
An inverted paradiddle with a ghost note flam on the second note of each.
X-HAT
A set of remote hi hats positioned on the other side of the drum kit from the normal position.
YÉ-YÉ
A style of pop music originating in France and developed from the term “Yeah Yeah” in the 1960s.
ZYDECO
A style of drumming created from a blend of Cajun and Rhythm & Blues, emerging from southwest Louisiana.
Love it. Keep it up…
Very good explanation
Nice one! Thanks