Drummark

Drummark is a term used in percussion pedagogy and digital drum notation to denote a marker or annotation that signals emphasis, articulation, or velocity adjustments for a drum hit. The concept arose in online drumming communities and educational materials as a lightweight way to convey phrasing without changing standard notation or MIDI data. There is no universal standard for drummark, and its meaning can vary by software, educator, or publishing context.

Definition and form: A drummark is typically an annotation attached to a drum hit, indicating how it should be played or heard. In printed notation, it may appear as a small symbol, letter, or color cue placed above or beside the note. In MIDI or digital audio workstations, a drummark may be represented as metadata or as a marker that maps to a specific velocity, articulation, or timbre.

Usage: Drummarks are used to plan accents in practice material, communicate phrasing in ensemble settings, or drive dynamic playback in practice tools. Some software applications automatically translate drummarks into changes in velocity, duration, or instrument timbre during playback, while others rely on the performer’s interpretation.

Examples: A drummark might indicate a strong backbeat on the snare, a ghost note on the hi-hat, or a rimshot on the snare. Because implementations vary, musicians should verify how their specific software or edition interprets drummarks.

See also: Drum notation, MIDI, percussion pedagogy.