Accent and Tap Heights: Why Does It Matter?

I think for percussionists and musicians who are experienced, playing with good dynamic contrast is a given and we don’t question why we should do it.

For drummers, it’s all about defining your accent heights as anywhere between 9 and 15 inches and taps between 3 and 6 inches.

However, inexperienced drummers may lack the control and dexterity necessary to execute good height definition.

in fact, the default height might just end up being all high and loud.

When that happens, the inexperienced drummer might think that everything is just fine and won’t think twice about their heights.

If you are a teacher and you are trying to convey the importance of good height definition and dynamic contrast and you are an inexperienced drummer and you are not sure why it matters, try this analogy:

Playing at the same volume and heights all the time is the equivalent of a person who speaks in a very monotone way. They don’t change their pitch, they don’t change their volume…it just sounds very flat.

Playing loud all the time is the equivalent of a person YELLING ALL THE TIME AND EVERYTHING THEY SAY IS JUST LOUD, LOUD, LOUD!

Get the point? :P

In fact, when you spend more time on the low end and play softer most of the time, the times when you do play loud, it will have GREATER impact!

So make sure to always work on your height definition and dynamic contrast, because you want to give the listener/viewer some variety and you want your accents to pop out and have some IMPACT!

For further perspective, make sure you watch the video below:

Karl Arrieta