How to Write Tenor Drum Notes
Writing tenor drum music is very similar to writing multiple bass drum music. The notes are written on a traditional five-line staff and are placed on the lines or spaces of the staff according to how many different drums are on the set of tenors. (In the case of a traditional set of tri-toms, the staff will only consist of four lines and the notes will be written in the spaces.) There are several theories and strategies regarding the tenor drum part's interaction with other instruments, yet composition techniques are generally the same.
- Blank sheets with five-line or four-line staffs or music writing software
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Instructions
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1
Establish the amount of drums on the set of tenors you are writing for to determine the placement of notes on the staff. The separate drums on the instrument are all written on the same staff in a tonally descending fashion: the higher the tone of the drum, the higher it is placed on the staff, etc.
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2
Compose the part with as much intricacy as a snare part or as simple as a bass part, using as few or as many different drums according to your preference
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3
Include critical notation that denotes special strokes by using different note "heads," the most common being an open circle or an "x"
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4
Constantly double check your composition to verify the accuracy and clarity of the part.