Playing techniques for unpitched percussion instruments

Playing techniques for unpitched percussion instruments, both as individual instruments and within percussion kits, can be notated in different ways, including using different notehead designs and positions.

You can indicate playing techniques for unpitched percussion instruments in any of the following ways:

  • Use playing technique-specific noteheads, including positioning notes above/below their normal staff line

  • Add articulations or single-note tremolos

  • Add playing techniques in the same ways as for pitched instruments

For example, you can add open and closed techniques for hi-hats as playing techniques and use playing technique-specific cross noteheads for side stick notes for the snare drum.

You can select playing technique-specific noteheads for unpitched percussion instruments when inputting notes and change the playing technique-specific noteheads of existing notes. You can input playing techniques during note input and by adding them to existing music.