Small note heads, stems up, which are placed above the staff, may be used to indicate rhythmic accents to be incorporated into the indicated time feel. These are played on a drum or cymbal of the player's choice. Written instructions are helpful in indicating to the drummer which instrument or instrumental group the rhythms are to be played with.

Note: Non-specific kick notation, or "cues" (shown above) are used on drum parts for most jazz styles when the arranger desired to allow the player the maximum freedom to interpret rhythmic accents. A drummer may, in fact, choose not to play certain rhythms notated in this manner as part of his or her interpretation.

Cymbal Accents and Rhythms Over Time

X's with stems up which are placed above the staff, are used to indicate rhythmic patterns or accents to be played on a specifically labeled cymbal. These cymbal parts can be incorporated in a time feel when placed over slashes.

Note: Cymbal rhythms should be properly aligned with the time slashes. After a ride cymbal pattern has been established, the word "simile" may be used to indicate that the drummer should continue the pattern in a similar way.

References

"Berklee Arranging 2 workbook" by Bob Doezema, Berklee College of Music, Boston, pages 24-25