rimclicks

Rimclicks is a percussion technique in which a sharp, short click is produced by striking the rim of a drum, most commonly on a snare drum. The sound is brighter and more transient than a normal rimshot, which involves both the rim and the drumhead.

Technique: The sticks are used to strike just the edge of the rim, either on the inside or outside, producing a crisp electronic-like click. The stroke is usually light and focused, with the drumhead left undisturbed. Rim clicks can be played as isolated notes or as part of a groove, often alternating hands or combined with other textures such as cymbal patterns or snare hits to provide punctuation.

Notational use and function: In written music, rim clicks are typically notated as unpitched percussion or as a special rim-click indication, and players may indicate articulated stops or accents. In practice, rim clicks serve as timekeeping or rhythmic punctuation within grooves, providing a distinct contrast to the more resonant head sound.

Context and variations: Rim clicks are found across many genres, including jazz, funk, rock, and electronic music. They are commonly used to mark offbeat accents, to simulate claps in a rhythm section, or to add a dry, precise texture to a groove. Some players integrate rim-click techniques with electronic triggers or samples to expand tonal options.