Rim Shots

[Paul Marangoni]

You didn't already know that? He used to always talk about it with Carson.

Here's something I only learned yesterday though... Antonio Sanchez used to be a serious gymnast!

[Julián Fernández]

I hear you Paul... I´m doing the same lately and my ears are really greatful actually.
If I´m not hitting rimshots I like to tune the snare quite low; it sounds better and fell better imo.

There´s so many sounds that an snare is able to produce is worth the exploration...

[nomsgmusic]

Paul,

There are many different rim shot sounds. Once while "obsessively watching" Steve Jordan do a session, I noticed that he was playing rim shots, but he wasn't playing them dead center. When he is producing "that Jordan backbeat sound" (that we all know and love) he was playing traditional grip, and laying the shank of the stick at about 10 o'clock at the edge of where the Black Dot would be on a snare (that's the best way I can describe the placement.) It really gets the head active, or at least more so that a "traditional" dead center rim shot. This seems to create a more open ambient rim shot, and gets you closer to "that Jordan sound." (A sound that I had been chasing for a good part of my drumming life.)

When I use "this" rim shot, I don't even play it "that" hard, (nor did he) so I don't choke the drum (or the head.) It seems to sound better with a lighter touch (and on a Brady Block drum. HA!) You get a nice blend of head, rim, and shell. But if you DO play it really hard you do get a cool "natural gating" (choking) of the sound.

If you watch his video, you can observe this as well.

I also like the about "4 inches in from the edge (sort of laying the stick from (8 o'clock to 1 o'clock) rim shot" as well. (Note I'm NOT talking about the New Orleans-y Bill Stewart-y hollow rim shot sound.)

I also like the rim shot of a thinner stick (with matched grip) where the tip is striking right at the bottom of where the Black Dot would be, as well. It's close to the above mentioned "Jordan Rim Shot," but a little different (not as much wood on head sound.)

There are sooo many sounds in a snare drum though, it's a real shame to "just" get tied into one (without even realizing it,) so I hear what you are saying. (I think of that as the auto pilot rim shot syndrome.) I like to think of rim shots like I often think of china's.. Sort of like a 5th gear.

But... for some tunes, there is NOTHING like a nice consistent poppin' rimshot on 2 and 4 for 3 or 4 mins! (Ear plugs in of course!!!)

All in all, I hear what you're saying, and mostly agree. But it helps to really think about the back beat sound that you are using-creating for each track, sort of in the same way that Jordan might use different drums for different tracks. You can coax many different sounds out of a single drum to fit each track. I believe you should use the "traditional rim shot sound" only when it's musically appropriate, when an artist or producer asks for it, or only when the music "asks" for it. And on other tracks, REALLY search for the right snare sound (whether it's from the same drum, or a different drum,) it can really make a BIG difference!!!

Take some time and experiment with some "different" rim shot sounds, can't wait to hear the new recording!
MSG

[Paul Marangoni]

That's the perfect way to describe it: "auto pilot rim-shot syndrome"

I didn't really realize I was doing it until listening back to a bunch of recent recordings. I'll definitely be more aware going forward.

Must have been all that Bruford worship when I was younger....

[Tom Reschke]

I play rim shots pretty much every time I am hitting a backbeat, unless it's a super quiet gig, or if recording, the guys behind the glass ask me not to do so for a specific sound they're going for. I just personally like the way it FEELS to crack rim shots, and think it sounds better than regularly striking the drum. I have seen a drummer recently, though, that wasn't playing rimshots and thought it sounded great (may have something to do with the sound engineer, as well). When I teach, I make the students play rimshots until they have it down cold, then let them decide which way they want to play.

[Christopher]

+1 on Bill.

Bruford was the ‘off center rim shot king’ to my ears, growing up. Probably still one of my fav snare tones. What a sound he drew out of a snare.

Anyhow, one thing that’s also cool is rim shots on toms. They can really open up accents in a big way when you intersperse them in fills.

Fun stuff. Full body tones.

Just like anything else though, everything in moderation.

If you’re mega slamming rimshots all night at a gig, you’re left with kind of a one dimensional sound. And maybe a headache too.

Plus, you’re already at the ceiling with nowhere to go to bring things to a higher level.

I try not to overuse them but it's hard sometimes not to.

[robhaerr]

Strong rimshot backbeat is about the only thing I do well.

[Kurtis]

There is a topic on rim shots on HOD. Now I've seen everything.