Newsletter : Dispersion, Frost/

Hand Drum The rhythm notation . . . The following notation can be easier for drummers and percussionists to use, compared to the usual notes and lines of conventional sheet music. Because drum notes aren't sustained but struck once, it makes sense to show the timing for these beats as single and equal. All the rhythms at this site, and in the book Roots Jam, use the following notation for drum beats--primarily those played on the west African djembe. D: Dun ("Doon") = bass beat with left hand G: Gun ("Goon") = bass beat with right hand d: do ("doe") = rim beat with left hand g: go = rim beat with right hand T: Ta = slap beat with left hand: sharp glancing stroke P: Pa = slap beat with right hand - = space About left and right hand notes: Though the majority of the rhythms displayed here (and in the book Roots Jam 1) will show leading with the left hand, the handing can be reversed (and is for most rhythms in Roots Jam 2). Additional Notes: Notation Example: Click for sound: RealAudio - Track1-2 new!