~ Drum Writing and Finale 2007~ page 1 of 7

The type of drum part we will be writing for the last arrangement for this course, is referred to as
a “sketch” drum part. These types of parts do not notate every aspect of the drum part. They
are guides that give the drummer an overview of the form of the chart and usually include the
following:
• areas where a general feel is described and indicated with slashes
• areas where specific rhythmic figures are to be cued.
• fills
• areas where cues of rhythmic punches from the horns or rhythm section are
indicated
Score Set Up
The easiest way to set up your score for sketch type drum parts is to use the template I have left
on the VCC server (e-mail it to home if you are using Finale at home) and then skip down to
Feel/Slash Markings on page 2 and follow the directions from there.

However, if you are using Finale at home, the best way to set up your score for sketch type
drum parts is to NOT use the drum set choice on the Setup Wizard when setting up your score.
Instead when you get to the drum part choose flute or oboe in the Woodwinds and place it in the
appropriate place for drums in your score.
~ Drum Writing and Finale 2007~ page 2 of 7
Once your score is set up go select the Staff Tool and click on handle at the beginning of the drum
line (in this case flute line) and the Staff Attributes window will open. Click on the Edit button
beside the Full Name and type in “Drums”. Next, click on the Edit button beside Abbr. Name
(abbreviated name) and type “Drs”. Click on the Select button beside First Clef and choose the
Percussion or null clef. Click OK on the Clef Selection window and then OK on the Staff
Attributes window and you should now have a Drum line complete with percussion clef. Now
your ready to enter your score information.

Feel/Slash Marking
The drum part is usually the last thing that is written in an arrangement, so the general form and
shape of the score is already complete.
In Scroll View, scroll down to the drum part and select the Expression Tool

Double click on the first measure. The Expression Selection window opens.
~ Drum Writing and Finale 2007~ page 3 of 7

Click on the “Create” button and type in the rhythmic feel of the chart in the Text Expression
Designer. On the score you may want to set the font to Jazz 14 point fixed size. I have written
“Swing in Four” as my rhythmic feel.

Click OK and you will go back to the Expression Selection window, where you will see your text
expression. Click Select and the following window will appear:

Make sure that the correct Show On button is selected. In this case the “This Staff Only”
button. Click OK and the style indication shows up on the score.

If you want a text item attached to a specific measure on the score this is the best way to go.
~ Drum Writing and Finale 2007~ page 4 of 7
Slash Notation
To create slashes you need only click on the Staff Tool and select the measures you wish to
apply the Slash Notation Staff Style. Go to the Staff menu and drop down and select Apply
Staff Styles

Make sure that “O1. Slash Notation” is Selected and click OK.

Your drum part will now have slashes.

Specific Rhythmic Figures

~ Drum Writing and Finale 2007~ page 5 of 7
Occasionally you will want the drums to play a specific rhythmic figure. In this type of
situation the rhythmic feel stops and the drummer plays the notated rhythms. To do this enter
the snare rhythm on the third space of the staff.

In the lower left corner of your score, you will see the layer selection menu. By default you
should be in Layer 1. Drop down and select Layer 2.

Now notate the bass drum rhythm on the bottom space of the staff. You should now have the
snare line with stems up and bass drum line with stems down.

Unwanted extra rests can be eliminated in Speedy Note Entry mode by placing the cursor on the
extra rest and typing the letter “O” (not zero). Rests which “float” can be dragged into position
in Speedy Note Entry by clicking on the note and holding down the mouse button and dragging
the rest up or down as needed.

Rhythmic Cues
Rhythmic cues from the horns are often added above slash marked areas of the drum part. First
enter your slash notation drum part in Layer 1. After this is completed, go to Layer 2 and enter
the rhythm of the cue above the staff. Click on the “L” key to flip the stems in layer 2 up. Go
to the Staff menu and select Define Staff Styles. The Staff Styles window appears. Click on the
Select button to the right of Alternate Notation.
~ Drum Writing and Finale 2007~ page 6 of 7

Make sure all the boxes at the bottom of the Alternate Notation window are selected and click
OK.

You now have a rhythmic cue above slash notation.

One final step, if you have time, is to reduce the size of the cued notes. Go the Mass Mover
Tool and select the area to be altered. Go the Mass Edit Menu and drop down to Change and
~ Drum Writing and Finale 2007~ page 7 of 7
then select Note Size. A box will appear and type 75% into this box and the cued notes will now
be 75% smaller.

Fills/Solos
Fills and Solos are easy to enter. Create a “Fill” or “Solo” indication using the Expression Tool
as described earlier. Enter this marking at the beginning of the fill or solo. Place the expression
above the staff.

Using the Slur Tool choose the Dashed Bracket Tool from the menu and place a bracket
above the Fill marking to indicate where the fill begins and ends.
~ Drum Writing and Finale 2007~ page 8 of 7
Cymbal Markings
With this score set up you are restricted to traditional open and closed notehead shapes.
To change noteheads to different shapes, select the Special Tools button (the hammer) on the
Main Tool Palette. From the Special Tools Palette select the Note Shape Tool.

Click on the bar to be edited and select the appropriate notehead by double-clicking on its handle.

The Symbol Selection Menu appears and scroll until you find the desired notehead (‘x” notehead
is number 192). Highlight it and click on Select. The notehead has been changed.

For more information on drum parts refer to the on-line manuals under Percussion.

NOTE: The way this drum part is set up it will not play back as a drum part. If you wish to
playback it is best to mute the drum track in the Instrument List found in the Window drop-down
menu. Click on the “M” slot just to the right of the drums to mute it and a green box should
appear.

© Rob McKenzie 2/5/02

Revised 11/18/07
NOTE: This tutorial is designed with Finale 2007 for Mac in mind.