{{Short description|Simplified percussion notation}} '''Drum tablature''', commonly known as a '''drum tab''', is a form of simplified percussion notation, or tablature for percussion instruments. Instead of the durational notes normally seen on a piece of sheet music, drum tab uses proportional horizontal placement to indicate rhythm and vertical placement on a series of lines to represent which drum from the drum kit to stroke. Drum tabs frequently depict drum patterns.
== Key or legend == The number of lines in a specific tab will vary depending on the number of different drums used during a specific section of music. Below is an example of a basic drum kit. CC|-Crash cymbal----|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.drumtabs.org/how-to-read-drumtabs.htm|title=How to Read DrumTabs - DRUM TABS|website=www.drumtabs.org}}</ref> HH|-Hi-hat----------| Rd|-Ride cymbal-----| SN|-Snare drum------| T1|-High tom--------| T2|-Low tom---------| FT|-Floor tom-------| BD|-Bass drum-------| Hf/FH|-Hi-hat w/foot|
=== Techniques === Tablature can use various letter and symbols to denote different cymbal types or other drum techniques. These are the tablature symbols that represent various techniques, though these may vary:
==== Cymbals ==== |-x-| Strike cymbal or hi-hat |-X-| Strike loose hi-hat, or hit crash hard |-o-| Open hi-hat |-#-| Choke cymbal (grab cymbal with hand after striking it) |-s-| Splash cymbal |-c-| China cymbal |-b-| Bell of ride |-x-| Click hi-hat with foot
==== Drums ==== |-o-| Strike |-O-| Accent |-g-| Ghost note |-f-| Flam |-d-| Drag |-b-| Soft one-handed roll |-B-| Accented one-handed roll |-@-| Snare rim
== Example == The common time rhythm pattern below is first presented in standard notation; following is the corresponding pattern translated into drum tab.
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B = Bass drum HH = Hi-hat S = Snare drum HH|x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-|| S|----o-------o---|| B|o-------o-------|| 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
== References == <references/>
{{Drum beats}} Category:Percussion notation