Schlagzeug

As Printed on a Score

German for percussion, used as the heading for the percussion staves (Schlagzeug, or Schlagzeug 1, 2 for separate players) and in instrument lists, sometimes abbreviated Schlgz. The timpani are normally listed apart as Pauken, and each percussion staff names its instrument in words at every change.

Abbreviations: Schlgz.

Also spelled: Schlagwerk

How Composers Use It

In an orchestral score Schlagzeug means the percussion other than the timpani, so plan it by player: list which instruments each person covers and leave time for every change. Schlagwerk is a synonym. In German jazz and pop parts, though, Schlagzeug usually means the drum kit, so a part with that label may expect kit notation rather than separate instruments.

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