Rimshot

This article references the term in the world of music. For the term's use in radio and television broadcasting, see Rimshot (broadcasting).

For the short drum sequence used to punctuate a comedic punchline, often referred to as a rimshot, see Sting (percussion).

A rimshot is the sound produced by hitting the rim and the head of a drum simultaneously, with a drum stick. Rimshots are usually played to produce a more accented note, and are typically played loudly. However, soft rim shots are possible. Rimshots are often used for softer percussion in place of a snare drum in both actual and virtual drumkits.

There are three standard types of rim shots in marching percussion. The first, most common type of rimshot is the normal rimshot. This is played with the bead (tip) of the stick about three inches from the rim. This produces a prominent, accented tone. The second is called a "ping shot". In a ping shot, the bead is oriented much closer to the rim, about one inch. This produces a high pitched sound. The third, called a "gock," is produced by putting the bead of the drum stick at the center, the rim making contact closer to the hand than in a ping or normal rimshot. This makes a lower sound.

In Latin percussion, timbale players play 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, but more precise and accurate rimshot than its marching cousin. This method is known as a "stick shot".

Rimshots and gocks both produce loud cracks that contain large amounts of overtones.

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, creating a dry, high pitched "click" similar to a set of claves.

Drummer Gene Krupa is credited with having invented the rimshot.

The rim shot has become "standard" practice amongst many Black/African-American drummers of Gospel Music and Popular Music amongst drummers such as Joe Dunn (Joe Dunn and Family and Friends), Ira King and Nisan Stewart (Timbaland and Missy Elliott). It's also frequently used after a stand-up comedian's joke, augmenting the joke/pun itself.

See also

• Sting (percussion) - an alternate form of rimshot (and often referred to as such) used to punctuate jokes