Create a legend that will describe the line placement of each percussion instrument. Placement varies by each arranger; there is no universal agreement. The legend must remain constant throughout the arrangement. For example, snares written on the third line from the bottom must be written on that line throughout the piece.
Notate drumrolls by a slash mark written through the stem of the note. When written on quarter notes, one slash mark equals an eighth note interval or standard double-stroke roll. Two slashes mean semiquaver or a sixteenth note interval. Three slashes are thirty-second note intervals. Notate a triplet with a "3" or "6" over the drumroll note, which tells the drummer to play the notes in a group of three or six. When written on larger note values, the rolls are played for the entire length of the note. For example, one slash on a half note equals four strokes.
Indicate flams with a grace note, which is a curved line just before the main note with a smaller note attached. This alerts the drummer to strike the drum just before the main beat. Drags and ruffs are notated in the same fashion as flams, except that there are two notes prior to the curved line.
Denote triangles and cowbells with a triangle-shaped notehead. Delineate a muted triangle or cowbell with a line drawn through the notehead or an "x" as the notehead. The woodblock and gong are also notated with triangle-shaped noteheads.
Place conga and bongo notation on a two-lined staff. Each line will represent one drum. An "x" notehead will represent a muted note.
Notate high-hats with an "x" notehead. Multiple noteheads should be placed in the staff position directly below the highest high-hat. Mark open high-hat notes with a small circle written above the notehead, and partially open high-hat with a small circle with a vertical line through the center. Loud, forced crashes on the foot-pedal high-hat are notated on the space below the staff with a small circle underneath. All cymbals are notated with the "x" notehead.
Express the manner in which the drummer should play the notes with the use of symbols on the notes. Rim shots are written with a diagonal line drawn from top left to bottom right through a notehead. Cross sticks are shown by a circle drawn around the notehead. Where the drummer should strike the drum is determined by a small circle written over the note with an "x" to mark the placement. Ghost notes are shown with parentheses around the notehead. When the drummer needs to stop a note from being played, a small plus sign is written above the note or an apostrophe is written to the right. To notate rhythm pattern, an "R" or "L" is written above the note.