Jump to content

Rimshot: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
No edit summary
 
(40 intermediate revisions by 28 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Percussion technique}}
{{for|the joke punctuation sound|Sting (percussion)}}
{{About|the percussion technique|the joke punctuation sound|Sting (percussion)|other uses}}
{{other uses}}
{{redirect|Gock|the LGBT slang term|LGBT slang#Terms related to transgender and non-binary people}}
{{confusing|date=September 2012}}
{{confusing|date=September 2012}}


A '''rimshot''' is a [[percussion]] technique used to produce an [[Accent (music)|accented]] [[snare drum]] [[backbeat]]. The sound is produced by simultaneously hitting the [[Drum hardware#Rim|rim]] and [[Drumhead|head]] of the drum with a [[drum stick]].
A '''rimshot''' is a [[percussion]] technique used to produce an [[accent (music)|accented]] [[snare drum]] [[backbeat]]. The sound is produced by simultaneously hitting the [[Drum hardware#Rim|rim]] and [[drumhead|head]] of a [[drum]] with a [[drum stick]]: "the sound is part normal snare and part loud, woody accent,"<ref>Miller, Michael (2003). ''The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing Drums'', p.206. Penguin. {{ISBN|9781592571628}}. Additionally, using a traditional grip the left stick may be stuck into the drumhead and struck with the right stick.</ref> "generally sharper, brighter and more cutting,"<ref name="Continuum">Shepherd, John (ed.) (2003). ''Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World: VolumeII: Performance and Production, Volume 11'', p.158. {{ISBN|9780826463227}}.</ref> as this produces large amounts of [[overtones]].<ref>Strong, Jeff (2011). ''Drums For Dummies'', p.39. {{ISBN|9781118068618}}.</ref> The [[drum stroke|stroke]] is used on the snare in [[rock music|rock]], [[pop music|pop]], and [[blues]] and on the [[tom-tom drum|tom-toms]] in [[Afro-Cuban music]]. The technique is very common in [[ska]], [[reggae]] and [[rocksteady]].<ref name="Continuum"/>


==The sound and various techniques==
In [[marching percussion]] there are three types of rimshots. The most common is the "normal" rimshot, which is played with the tip (bead) of the stick held about three inches from the rim. This produces a prominent, accented tone. The second is the "'''ping shot'''", where the bead is struck about one inch from the rim. This produces a high pitched sound. The third is a "'''gock'''", which is produced by hitting the bead of the drum stick at the center of the drum while the rim is percussed with the distal shaft of the stick (near the hand). This makes a lower sound.
The sound of rimshots can be described as "part normal snare and part loud, woody accent",<ref>Miller, Michael (2003). ''The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing Drums'', p.206. Penguin. {{ISBN|9781592571628}}.</ref> or "generally sharper, brighter and more cutting [than a standard accent]",<ref name="Continuum">Shepherd, John (ed.) (2003). ''Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World: VolumeII: Performance and Production, Volume 11'', p.158. {{ISBN|9780826463227}}.</ref> since the technique produces large amounts of [[overtone]]s.<ref>Strong, Jeff (2011). ''Drums For Dummies'', p.39. {{ISBN|9781118068618}}.</ref>


The [[drum stroke|stroke]] is used on the snare in [[Rock music|rock]], [[Pop music|pop]], and [[blues]] and on the [[Tom drum|tom-toms]] in [[Afro-Cuban music]]. The technique is also common in [[bossa nova]], [[ska]], [[reggae]], and [[rocksteady]].<ref name="Continuum"/>
In [[Latin percussion]], [[timbales|timbale]] players use rimshots near the edge of the head, but these sound very different from gocks in marching percussion.


In [[marching percussion]], there are three types of rimshots. The most common is the "normal" rimshot, which is played with the tip (bead) of the stick held about three inches (about 8&nbsp;cm) from the rim. This produces a prominent, accented tone. The second is the "ping shot", where the bead is struck about one inch (2.5&nbsp;cm) from the rim. This produces a high-pitched sound. The third is a "gock" (also spelled ''gawk''), which is produced by hitting the bead of the drum stick at the center of the drum while the rim is percussed with the distal shaft of the stick (near the hand). This makes a lower sound.
In [[orchestra]]l [[percussion]], a rimshot is performed by placing one drum stick with the stick head near the middle of the drumhead, and the shaft pressed against the rim, and striking with the other stick. This produces a less powerful, but more precise and accurate rimshot than its marching cousin. This is known as a "'''stick shot'''".


In [[Latin percussion]], [[timbales]] players use rimshots near the edge of the head, but these sound very different from {{not a typo|gocks}} in marching percussion.
The rimshot should not be confused with the '''cross stick''' technique, in which the tip of a drumstick is placed on the head near one of the bearing edges and the shaft of the stick is struck against the rim opposite the tip, thus creating a dry, high pitched "click" similar to a set of [[claves]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Playing Drums|first=Michael|last=Miller|year=2004|publisher=Alpha Books|isbn=159257162X}} {{page needed|date=July 2014}}</ref> The stroke is used to simulate claves in [[Brazilian bossa nova]] and also used for [[ballad]]s in rock, pop, and [[country music|country]].<ref name="Continuum"/>


In [[orchestra]]l percussion, a rimshot is performed by placing one drum stick with the stick head near the middle of the drumhead, and the shaft pressed against the rim, and striking with the other stick. This produces a less powerful sound, and is easier to execute than a typical rimshot. This variation is also known as a "stick shot".
Drummer [[Gene Krupa]] is credited with having invented the rimshot.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gene Krupa|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/bands/Gene-Krupa/20272/|work=Sputnik Musik|accessdate=July 25, 2014}}</ref>

The rimshot is often confused with the cross stick technique, in which the tip of a drum stick is placed on the head near one of the bearing edges and the shaft of the stick is struck against the rim opposite the tip, thus creating a dry, high-pitched "click" similar to a set of [[claves]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Playing Drums|first=Michael|last=Miller|year=2004|publisher=Alpha Books|isbn=159257162X|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781592571628}}{{page needed|date=July 2014}}</ref> As a result, the stroke is frequently used in bossa nova to imitate the sound of claves; it is also used for [[Sentimental ballad|ballads]] in rock, pop, and [[country music]].<ref name="Continuum"/>


==More general use of the term==
==More general use of the term==
The musical phrase played on percussion instruments used to punctuate jokes is known in percussion jargon as a [[Sting (percussion)|sting]]. This is often called a ''rimshot'', although some versions of it do not include a rimshot in the technical sense.
The musical phrase played on percussion instruments used to punctuate jokes is known in percussion jargon as a [[Sting (percussion)|sting]]. This is often called a ''rimshot'' although some versions of it do not include a rimshot in the technical sense. A rimshot when used to accent the punchline of a joke being told by a live comedian may or may not simultaneously be played with a small cymbal crash. This was popularized in comedy as staged by stand-up comedians performing at one of the resorts in the Catskill Mountain region. Many of these comics were of Jewish heritage and were known as "[[Borscht Belt|borscht belt]] comics." The best illustration of how a rimshot might be applied to a comedy routine is to look at the classic style of Henny Youngman who in addition to playing a violin would tell fast-paced, one-liner type of jokes. His most famous line was probably, "Take My Wife . . .Please!" after he said "please", it was the drummer's duty to play a rimshot to punctuate the humor and generate great laughter from the audience. Sometimes, the comedian would react to the rimshot as if he did not expect it and in doing so, pass the reaction and responsibility for the rimshot on to the drummer. When in fact, the comedian had previously instructed the drummer when to use and when not to use the rimshot. There was really nothing surprising about the use of the rimshot because they were scripted into the routine by the comedian but were designed to be improvised by the drummer. But when the comedian jumped, or blinked or otherwise physically acted as if he was hit with a "slap" it would generally heighten the response that he would get from the audience. The cymbal and rimshot together or the rimshot followed immediately by the cymbal crash all worked together to maximize the reaction to the joke.<ref name=sting>"[http://soundandthefoley.com/2013/04/10/of-stings-and-rimshots/ Of Stings and Rimshots]", ''SoundandtheFoley.com''. Retrieved 17 July 2012</ref>

[[File:Kevin MacLeod assorted rimshots - Kdum-keesh.wav|thumb|A drum and cymbal punchline sting]]
A rimshot when used to accent the punchline of a joke being told by a live comedian may or may not simultaneously be played with a small cymbal crash. This was popularized in standup comedy by comedians performing at the resorts in the [[Catskill Mountains]] region. Many of these comics were of Jewish heritage and were known as "[[Borscht Belt]] comics", after a vacation spot in the Catskills. Comedian [[Henny Youngman]] used a drummer to play rimshots after his fast-paced, one-liner type of jokes; his most famous line was "Take my wife… please!"

Sometimes, the comedian would react to the rimshot as if they did not expect it and in doing so, pass the reaction and responsibility for the rimshot on to the drummer, when in fact, the comedian had previously instructed the drummer when to use and when not to use the rimshot. Despite having previously been scripted into the routine by the comedian, these were designed to appear to be improvised by the drummer, so as to accentuate the joke.<ref name=sting>"[http://soundandthefoley.com/2013/04/10/of-stings-and-rimshots/ Of Stings and Rimshots]", ''SoundandtheFoley.com''. Retrieved 17 July 2012</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 07:13, 9 November 2023

A rimshot is a percussion technique used to produce an accented snare drum backbeat. The sound is produced by simultaneously hitting the rim and head of the drum with a drum stick.

The sound and various techniques

[edit]

The sound of rimshots can be described as "part normal snare and part loud, woody accent",[1] or "generally sharper, brighter and more cutting [than a standard accent]",[2] since the technique produces large amounts of overtones.[3]

The stroke is used on the snare in rock, pop, and blues and on the tom-toms in Afro-Cuban music. The technique is also common in bossa nova, ska, reggae, and rocksteady.[2]

In marching percussion, there are three types of rimshots. The most common is the "normal" rimshot, which is played with the tip (bead) of the stick held about three inches (about 8 cm) from the rim. This produces a prominent, accented tone. The second is the "ping shot", where the bead is struck about one inch (2.5 cm) from the rim. This produces a high-pitched sound. The third is a "gock" (also spelled gawk), which is produced by hitting the bead of the drum stick at the center of the drum while the rim is percussed with the distal shaft of the stick (near the hand). This makes a lower sound.

In Latin percussion, timbales players use rimshots near the edge of the head, but these sound very different from gocks in marching percussion.

In orchestral percussion, a rimshot is performed by placing one drum stick with the stick head near the middle of the drumhead, and the shaft pressed against the rim, and striking with the other stick. This produces a less powerful sound, and is easier to execute than a typical rimshot. This variation is also known as a "stick shot".

The rimshot is often confused with the cross stick technique, in which the tip of a drum stick is placed on the head near one of the bearing edges and the shaft of the stick is struck against the rim opposite the tip, thus creating a dry, high-pitched "click" similar to a set of claves.[4] As a result, the stroke is frequently used in bossa nova to imitate the sound of claves; it is also used for ballads in rock, pop, and country music.[2]

More general use of the term

[edit]

The musical phrase played on percussion instruments used to punctuate jokes is known in percussion jargon as a sting. This is often called a rimshot, although some versions of it do not include a rimshot in the technical sense.

A drum and cymbal punchline sting

A rimshot when used to accent the punchline of a joke being told by a live comedian may or may not simultaneously be played with a small cymbal crash. This was popularized in standup comedy by comedians performing at the resorts in the Catskill Mountains region. Many of these comics were of Jewish heritage and were known as "Borscht Belt comics", after a vacation spot in the Catskills. Comedian Henny Youngman used a drummer to play rimshots after his fast-paced, one-liner type of jokes; his most famous line was "Take my wife… please!"

Sometimes, the comedian would react to the rimshot as if they did not expect it and in doing so, pass the reaction and responsibility for the rimshot on to the drummer, when in fact, the comedian had previously instructed the drummer when to use and when not to use the rimshot. Despite having previously been scripted into the routine by the comedian, these were designed to appear to be improvised by the drummer, so as to accentuate the joke.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Miller, Michael (2003). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing Drums, p.206. Penguin. ISBN 9781592571628.
  2. ^ a b c Shepherd, John (ed.) (2003). Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World: VolumeII: Performance and Production, Volume 11, p.158. ISBN 9780826463227.
  3. ^ Strong, Jeff (2011). Drums For Dummies, p.39. ISBN 9781118068618.
  4. ^ Miller, Michael (2004). Playing Drums. Alpha Books. ISBN 159257162X.[page needed]
  5. ^ "Of Stings and Rimshots", SoundandtheFoley.com. Retrieved 17 July 2012