How Do I Write Drum Charts?

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 3 Jan 2003 7:41 am

I getting ready to cut rhythm tracks in my home studio. I will be bringing in a drummer and I want to have everything charted out to save time. I know how to read/write the Nashville number system, but I'm not sure about drums. Any links or personal input here? Thanks

Miguel e Smith · Post by **Miguel e Smith** » 3 Jan 2003 8:08 am

Nashville drummers have learned to read the same numbers charts everyone else on the date reads. They may make some extra notes or marks, but they start the same. Some drummers prefer the style of chart that has each bar marked off on staff paper with hash marks (beat marks) in each bar. Once you've talked a cat through the arrangement, they should have it.

Good luck

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 3 Jan 2003 3:08 pm

If you want to write out the full drum part it is done on standard staff paper with each line representing a different part of the drum set.

Rock beat:

Bob[This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 03 January 2003 at 03:09 PM.]

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 3 Jan 2003 4:48 pm

Bob that's way to complicated for me

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 3 Jan 2003 7:50 pm

Chris
Not to worry... it's way too complicated for most drummers I've met.

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Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 4 Jan 2003 8:57 am

Playing drums seems really difficult to me (I just tried to 'play' Bob's measure with two hands and a foot) - no wonder most drummers slow down or speed up!

Give me pedals and knee levers anyday![This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 04 January 2003 at 08:59 AM.]

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 4 Jan 2003 10:48 am

Chris,
If you want to be just like a big time producer tell the drummer that you need a track that is a musical arch with some edge. Then after the first take tell him that was great but could he try it again with more vibe. Then leave the room to talk on your cel phone and have the engineer explain what you need while you decide on what you want for lunch.

Bob

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 4 Jan 2003 8:08 pm

Bob, Youu FUNNNNY

I love it.

Tim Harr · Post by **Tim Harr** » 8 Jan 2003 11:58 pm

Most drummers worthy of bringing into the studio for tunes they don't know can read (or understand after having it explained to them) a Nashville Number Chart.

Drummers are concerned about Form of the song (ch, vs, br) and the Tempo (speed), and style (shuffle, straight 8, latin style - cha cha, bossa, samba etc...)

Good Luck

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Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 9 Jan 2003 2:09 pm

You sound like a clothes dryer full of tennis shoes.

Ricky Littleton · Post by **Ricky Littleton** » 10 Jan 2003 2:46 am

In crayon???

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