Drum Arrangement Worksheet

[Ted]

This is a worksheet I created to help me with my drum arrangements.  Others may find it useful.  I sure do.

The image is an example of how I used the sheet to arrange the attached song.

[Tony]

Thanks again, Ted.  You will find a ready audience here for both the song and the worksheet.  This is a forum that likes guitar and drum patterns without a doubt.

Why no space on the worksheet for tempo or drum kit?  Is that deliberate?

That's not a criticism because I plan to use the worksheet on the thing I'm currently doing rather than the envelope that the drum pattern is beginning to grow on.

Thanks again, Ted.  Two great posts in as many days.

[Ted]

Why no space on the worksheet for tempo or drum kit?

There certainly could be a spot for the tempo and kit on this sheet.  I suppose the reasons I don't track those on this sheet are...

• I use copies the "Track Sheet" from the Owner's Manual (p. 124) for those--the kit in particular. (see track_sheet.jpg)
• If the tempo varies within a song, I note that above the part or pattern in the arrangement (see drum_worksheet_sample2.jpg).  I often halve or double the tempo of particular patterns to get them to fit the song.

I've attached the original Excel document, so feel free to tweak it as you like.

[Tony]

Thanks for that.  I'm not given to changing tempo within a song (intentionally) but I tend to keep records so my idea of tempo was simply to record it for when I go back and try to change things, hopefully for the better.

I'll have a play with the excel sheet.  Thanks for loading it up.

[Geir]

Hey, thanx!! Always struggling with keeping track of what I do with the drums. And a really good song!! You should put it up on "post your work" !!

Cheers

G.

[Ted]

Thanks.  That's a first draft of the song.  Maybe I'll post it after I polish it up some.  First, I need my replacement MBR.

[Jim2711]

Good work Ted on the arrangement sheets.... I'm only a newbie, but with advice from Tony, 64 Guitars and a few others, Drum Arrangements are quite simple to do, having your worksheet only makes the process that much easier..Cheers.   Jim2711...

[Satchwood]

I've found your arrangment sheets to be very useful, Ted!  It makes editing and keeping track of drum fills and such a breeze (well at least like simple bookkeeping). 

Thank you very much!!