Drum Set

Question 1

Style in which ride and high hat take the leading roles.

Answer 1

Swing

Question 2

Style in which bass drum dominates often in dotted rhythms with strong snare on beat 2.

Answer 2

Latin

Question 3

Style in which bass drum dominates and snare takes secondary role.

Answer 3

Rock

Question 4

Which cymbal is most frequently used as a time keeper or to drive rhythms?
Used to define the beat pattern?

Answer 4

Ride

Question 5

Which cymbal is most frequently used to establish a back beat?

Answer 5

High hat

Question 6

Which cymbal is used to highlight important moments or used to punctuate special moments?

Answer 6

Crash cymbal

Question 7

Style in which subdivision beats fall primarily as triplets.

Answer 7

Swing

Question 8

Style in which the subdivion of the best falls primarily as eighth notes with dotted rhythms.

Answer 8

Latin

Question 9

Style in which subdivision beats fall primarily as eight notes in straight time.

Answer 9

Rock

Question 10

Cymbal that is usually larger, thicker and has more ring.

Answer 10

Ride

Question 11

Two cymbals that have a greater variety of sound, operated by the foot and found in pairs.

Answer 11

High hat

Question 12

How do you achieve a light and/or feathered sound on the bass drum?

Answer 12

Keep heel down, use less power and less volume

Question 13

Cymbal that is smaller, thinner and has less ring.

Answer 13

Crash

Question 14

Which cymbals are used in a standard drum set and what are their functions?

Answer 14

1) Ride (time keeper)
2) Crash (accentuator)
3) High hat (back beat)

Question 15

What are three common problems for beginning drummers when it comes to playing a fill?

Answer 15

• Try to get too fancy
• Lose tempo of the selection
• Do not have a clear idea of the subdivision of the selection

Question 16

Define the term “fill”

Answer 16

It is a musical idea on drum set which connects to the following section
-or- Short solo leading into a set-up or new section of music

Question 17

3 reasons why the drummer many times is asked NOT to play”solid” quarter notes on the bass drum for jazz/swing tunes.

Answer 17

• Creates too heavy a style
• Has a tendency to conflict with the bass line
• Can cover the bass line

Question 18

Standard or necessary parts of a 5-piece drumset.

Answer 18

1) Bass
2) Snare
3) Floor tom
4) Mounted Tom
5) ?

Question 19

Define how the bass drum is used in

1) Rock
2) Jazz
3) Latin

Answer 19

Rock: Beats 1 and 3, heavy, greater percentage & time keeper
Jazz: Light/feathered, smaller percentage and used for punctuation of figures in jazz
Latin: Bass dominates often in dotted rhythm with strong snare on beat 2

Question 20

Define “comping”

Answer 20

Tastefully accompany or compliment the ensemble playing

Question 21

Define “kick” as used by a jazz drummer

Answer 21

Usually reserved for shout chorus and often during large tutti ensemble playing. Supports full ensemble rhythmic figures, snare short notes, bass long notes.

Question 22

As a jazz drummer, how should you approach an under-written set part? (3)

Answer 22

• Find the shout choruses and the ensemble hits
• Make sure you know the style of music
• Know which sections are playing at what time throughout the selection

Question 23

How do you approach an over-written part? (3)

Answer 23

• Simplify; keep integrity intact
• Cover basics of style
• Use as roadmap

Question 24

What is an over-written drum set part?

Answer 24

A part where every rhythm and every fill is notated

Question 25

What is an under-written drum set part?

Answer 25

A part that consists of mostly slash marks throughout

Question 26

Define “set-up”

Answer 26

Simple rhythmic pattern before ensemble entrance (helps the band come in together)