Learn how to read basic music. All drum music is written on the music staff. Each drum part is then written on a different section of the staff. The musical staff consists of five lines and four spaces. It is on this staff where you are provided with a time signature in which to play the piece as well as the key in which the music is written.
Learn what each note means. Learn the differences among an quarter note, an eighth note, a sixteenth note, and all of the other rhythm. Also learn the markings for where you rest, or stop, in a piece of music. Dynamics, written underneath or above the staff, tell you how softly or how loudly to play.
Learn where each percussion instrument is placed on the staff. Typically, the higher-pitched instruments are written higher on the staff, while the lower instruments are written toward the bottom of the staff. The order will usually be toms, snares and bass. Hi-hat markings are placed directly above the top line in the staff and marked with an X. Cymbal parts are written above the hi-hat and are also marked with an X.
Notice that some music includes the markings "r" or "l" under a line of music. This indicates if you strike the drum with your right or left mallet. There may also be the marking of an X with a small circle around it in your music. This indicates the cross-sticking technique used by many marching percussionists.