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Mirror Image Drum Map
The Mirror Image Drum Map is a drumkit layout that enables a natural two-hand style of
playing. The Mirror Image Drum Map gets its name by its instruments being laid out in a
mirror image of itself with D4 being the point of reflection.
Getting Started
Play the key, D4. You'll notice that snare drum is assigned to it. From there, play 1 semitone
down (C#4), and up 1 semitone (D#4). Notice that the two are the same snare drum. Play 2
semitones down (C4) and up 2 semitones (E4). Notice that the same bass drum is assigned to
both keys. (Bass drum is also repeated on E3 and C4, which is particularly useful in fast double
bass drum playing.) Notes 3 semitones down, and up 3 semitones, have the same hi-hat, etc.
There are, however, two instances – G4 and E6 – where the left and right sides do not match.
They deviate from the mirror image scheme to accommodate the more familiar one hand
playing of hi-hat and tambourine.
The layout of the drums and various percussion instruments are easy to remember. Just keep
in mind that the basic drumkit consisting of Snare, Bass Drum, Toms, and Cymbals are in the
range of C3-E5, or the "inner core" range. The two remaining ranges (C2-B2 and F5-C7) which
extend out to the left and right edges of the keyboard make up the "outer edge" range, and will
generally consist of auxiliary percussion instruments. This "inner" and "outer" range structure
is also maintained in the drum corps programs (#977, #980) and orchestral percussion
programs (#978, #979).
It is easy to memorize the placement of instruments if you think of the double and triple
groupings of the black keys as one instrument or instrument type. Look at the center group of
black keys, C#4 and D#4. Think of that grouping as the snare drum. Fanning out on both
sides to the next group of black keys, F#3, G#3, A#3 on the left hand side, and F#4, G#4, A#4
on the right hand side, are the toms. Fanning out farther to the next set of double black keys
are the cymbals. The next set of triple black keys are the timbales, and the next set of double
black keys are the congas. The four white keys under the toms are the hi-hats.
In the "outer edge" range, white keys are generally hand-held percussion toys or various useful
articulations of the congas laid out such that one can play typical conga patterns with one hand.
Try playing in a straight eighth note beat D#2, E2, F2, D#2, E2, F2, C2, C#2 and repeat. For easy
right-hand tambourine playing, try playing in the same eighth note beat C7, A6, E6, C7, A6, E6,
C7, A6 and repeat. Now combine the left-hand conga part and the right-hand tambourine. A
combination of easily fingered patterns will often yield a useful rhythm section.
Sostenuto Pedal
One more bonus was added to the drumkit programs—the sostenuto pedal. Just hold down
the sostenuto pedal and again play in a steady eighth note beat E3, G3, A3, B3, G3, A3, B3, G3
and repeat. The sostenuto adds percussion to the white keys ranging from F3 to C4, and C#4.
Orchestral ROM
Mirror Image Drum Map
Appendix D-13
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