Suggestions for a good, basic tutorial about drums/percussion

• Nov 28, 2013 - 13:03

I've been using Musescore for less than a week, and I've gotten fairly comfortable with quite a bit of it. I haven't delved into using drums or percussion very much. I gave it a try, and I know that it's handled differently than other instruments and note entry. I've read all the available help (local and online from the Musescore "Help" menu), and I've found some video tutorials online. But I need something that starts out with the very basic information and then gives much more detail, as to how the drums and percussion are setup and used in a score. It seems very inconsistent to me, and I know I must be missing some important information. For example, when I add unpitched percussion, in addition to a 3- or 5-line drumset, there are approximately 60 other choices in the list. But if I add a drumset, there are only 25 drum symbols in the left panel. Speaking of that panel, is there any way to add the drum sounds to the score other than clicking and dragging repeatedly? If I add and instrument from the "Create" menu, then there are other choices there also. But if I add something other than a drumset, I get only a single line divided into measures of course, where I assume I can add only one sound at any note position (depending on my choice of note length). Then I discovered that using the up or down arrow keys can change the sound from the instrument I have chosen anyway, and seems to "cycle" through all of the percussion sounds. However, this results in a very sloppy (and I'm sure incorrect) score with percussion "notes" appearing many, many lines below the staff. And finally, why are there only two keys (c and d) that are mapped to drums (Bass and ride) for note entry? I read that I can add more by going to "edt>drumset...." but it didn't seem to work.

I really need a very thorough tutorial that starts out with the basics. So any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks in advance.


Comments

In reply to by Jojo-Schmitz

I looked through the drum notation guide, and it helped quite a bit. I will have to read it more completely later or tomorrow because it is Thanksgiving here today and I have plans with family. But I tried a bit of drum practice and I am understanding much better. Thanks again for all your help, and happy Thanksgiving to all.

In reply to by Jojo-Schmitz

Jojo-Schmitz, thanks for the information, and yes, I did follow the link to notation, and also the three video tutorials. It was all helpful, but I am still somewhat confused by the different ways that the drums are incorporated into a score. I will follow the link in the other post, and see if that helps me also.

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