DRUM GLOSSARY / TERMS / DEFINITIONS
Moongel - arguably a drummer's most essential tool. Can be used to muffle drums, or cut a cymbal's sustain. Comes in packs of four. Looks like a little blue square.
O'rings - Dampeners used to reduce ring and overtone on a drum.
Pies - Commonly used word to refer to cymbals
Ride cymbal - Usually larger diameter cymbals, Usually between 19 and 24 inches. This cymbal is mostly used for tapping on, though can be 'crashed'. Most rides have a large bell, which can also be used to create a much different sound that tapping against the body of the ride.
Rim Click - When you place the stick across then snare with either the bead or the butt in the center, and pivot from the center of the drum. Synonyms-Side stick, Cross Stick, snare click.
Rimshot - The sound produced by hitting the rim and the head of a drum simultaneously, with a drum stick. Rimshots are usually played to produce a more accented note, and are typically played loudly.
"Man, those rimshots you were playing were so loud that they made my ears ring for hours!"
Rudiments - Similar to eating sprouts: No-one likes to do it, no-one wants to do it, but if you want to get better, you're gonna bloody well have too.
Snare Rash - rubbing of wood on the mounted tom from movement and vibration of the snare
Splash cymbal - A small diameter cymbal with a short attack and decay of it's sound.
The Pocket - That feel when a groove is just right. You know it when you hear it because you feel it at least as much. Conversely, you know when a drummer is not in the pocket because the feel is just plain wrong. No other word for it to me.
Throne - Essentially, a stool which one sits upon to play the drums. Symbolic of the drummer's pivotal importance in any music ensemble.
Up-tom - Also referred to as "mounted tom" among other names. Refers to the toms mounted to either a bass drum mounting system or toms holders located above the bass drum. These would be opposite the floor toms.
Vibraslap- consisting of a piece of stiff wire (bent in a U shape) connecting a wood ball to a hollow box of wood with metal “teeth” inside. The percussionist holds the metal wire in one hand and strikes the ball (usually against the palm of their other hand). The box acts as a resonating body for a metal mechanism placed inside with a number of loosely fastened pins or rivets that vibrate and rattle against the box.
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