# theDrumDictionary

> Drum rudiments, beats, metronome, and practice tools for musicians. (iPhone/iPad app by Hawks Hill Software, LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thedrumdictionary/id341510632 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Hawks Hill Software, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1537224753)
- Category: Music, Education
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 45 App Store ratings · 131 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.4 · 33 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2009-12-22
- Data updated: 2026-08-29
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thedrumdictionary/id341510632/reviews.md

## What is theDrumDictionary?

"If you’re looking for a great resource to develop and maintain your beat vocabulary and rudimental proficiency, this is a great place to start." - Modern Drummer

theDrumDictionary is a great tool for drummers, band leaders, producers, or anyone looking to learn more about drums. It includes all 40 standard snare drum rudiments and over 100 full drum set beats in a variety of styles. For each example, there is notation and tempo-adjustable audio. theDrumDictionary also includes a built-in metronome, making it a great all-in-one practice tool.

For Practice:
• Make the most of your practice time with the built-in metronome
• Adjust the tempo of the example audio to help learn those tricky parts or to push your skill to the next level of speed
• Keep track of your time spent practicing each beat or rudiment

Lists:
• Create a list of your favorite beats in different styles
• Create lists for what you'd like to practice
• Drum instructors, create a separate list for each of your students

theDrumDictionary is also great for non-drummers who are interested in knowing a little about drums: band leaders who want to communicate better with their drummer, musicians who want to program realistic drum parts in their songs, and the list goes on...

Entries include
• All 40 standard snare drum rudiments
• Over 100 drum set beats in a variety of styles: Rock, Jazz, World, Funk and more

Contacts:
• @GigBagApps
• support@GigBagApps.com, for support, questions, suggestions
• www.GigBagApps.com

## Key features

- 40 standard snare drum rudiments
- Over 100 drum set beats
- Tempo-adjustable audio examples
- Integrated metronome
- Practice time tracking
- Customizable beat lists

## What do users think of theDrumDictionary?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Excellent learning tool for drummers of all levels
- 🎵 High-quality audio samples and clear sound
- 📚 Comprehensive collection of 40 rudiments
- 🎯 Easy-to-use interface and navigation
- 📖 Visual notation paired with audio playback
- 🎸 Wide variety of drum styles and genres
- 💰 No subscription required, one-time purchase
- ⏱️ Practice tracking and timing features
- 🎓 Great for music teachers and lessons
- 📱 Convenient portable reference tool

**Cons**

- 🐛 Audio quality degrades when changing tempo
- ⏸️ App stops playing when phone sleeps
- 🔊 Bass drum not distinctive enough in mix
- 📊 Limited number of beats per genre
- ⚠️ Some audio samples don't match notation
- 🎵 Metronome and drums can't play simultaneously
- ❌ No background playback capability
- 📉 Limited content for advanced drummers
- 🎼 Inconsistent audio quality across samples

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on startup (older iOS versions)
- Uneven single stroke roll with extra hits/flams
- Audio warping when tempo changes
- App stops when device goes to sleep
- Inconsistent bass drum clarity
- Notation mismatches with audio playback

**Most requested features**

- Tempo/speed control for practice
- More beats and grooves across all genres
- Odd time signatures (5/8, 7/8, 9/4, 11/4, 6/8, 7/4)
- Highlighted note indicator during playback
- Video demonstrations of techniques
- Drum fills and fill variations
- Background playback capability
- Practice history and progress tracking
- Ability to create custom beats
- Accelerating/decelerating metronome
- More complex and advanced patterns
- Sorting beats by practice time
- Export notation and beat lists
- Multi-user/student support
- Rudiments numbered in learning order
- Double bass drum beats
- Finger drumming exercises
- Sync across multiple devices
- Note highlighting (karaoke-style)
- Longer beat patterns

## Recent user reviews (10 of 131)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thedrumdictionary/id341510632/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Top Notch

*2025-11-27*

This app is remarkable!Playing along with these on my e-kit have really upped my timing and groove game.

### 5/5 — What an App!!

*2023-12-16, version 3.3*

I’ve just rediscovered this app after so many years and I am super happy with it!! You can use it in any context and it’s so easy to use!! Use it on gigs and for lessons and just practicing I cannot fault this it’s all you need to improve your drumming and timing!! Thanks guys!! 
Derrick

### 5/5 — All the rudimentary drum patterns !

*2023-10-30*

Thank you to everyone who made this.

### 5/5 — Fantastic

*2023-08-27*

Excellent drum app! Excellent for learning and practicing. 

My only request: would you make a feature which sorts all beats and rudiments by time practiced? Most to least, and least to most? And then add a feature which allows the user to click on the beat or rudiment and go directly to practice!

Also, would be helpful to show an average/ history of bpm practices so the user can log his or her progress! Overall 10/10 fantastic app!!!

### 5/5 — Still loving this app!

*2023-03-24*

Not sure when the last build was created but it works well on my iPad that runs ios 16.3.1. Great refresher material for all drummers, with no subscription required. Strongly recommend it.

### 5/5 — SICK

*2023-02-17*

Thank you this is awesome

### 5/5 — Rally happy with this app

*2022-08-09*

Really good tool to help focus practice time on the basic skills of rudiments, time signatures, and a large sample of different grooves. For these skills, this might be the only app you need to focus your practice time. As with so many things, get the basics down pat and other stuff will come a lot faster.

### 4/5 — Great app!

*2022-04-29, version 3.3*

Love the lessons, the rudiments dictionary, etc! Some great example beats with good audio to help reinforce. Wish that the audio didn’t stretch and warp so much when changing tempo tho. Other than that, it’s great.

### 5/5 — Thank you !

*2022-02-06*

Whoever put this together is a genius !
Hidden gen for drum students

### 5/5 — So GOOD

*2021-12-26*

Thank you so much for making this fantastic resource! I’ve been looking for something like this for years!! Please continue to support and expand this hugely valuable resource!

## Frequently asked questions about theDrumDictionary

### What is theDrumDictionary?

TheDrumDictionary is a mobile application designed as a comprehensive resource for drummers and musicians. It provides access to all 40 standard snare drum rudiments and over 100 drum set beats across various styles, complete with notation and tempo-adjustable audio.

### What are the key features of theDrumDictionary?

Key features include a library of all 40 standard snare drum rudiments, over 100 drum set beats in styles like Rock, Jazz, and Funk, tempo-adjustable audio for each example, a built-in metronome, practice time tracking, and the ability to create custom lists of favorite beats or practice routines.

### Is theDrumDictionary free to use?

Yes, theDrumDictionary is a free application. It does not have any in-app purchases or advertisements, making it a completely free resource for users.

### Who can benefit from using theDrumDictionary?

The app is beneficial for drummers looking to develop their vocabulary and rudimental proficiency, band leaders who want to communicate better with their drummers, producers, music students, and even non-drummers interested in understanding drum patterns for music programming or general knowledge.

### How can I use theDrumDictionary for practice?

You can maximize your practice time by using the built-in metronome, adjusting the tempo of example audio to learn difficult passages or increase speed, and tracking the time spent on specific beats or rudiments. You can also create personalized practice lists.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.3 — 2016-09-21

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

• Support for iOS 10
• Minor bug fixes

### 3.2.2 — 2014-10-07

Bug Fixes and Support for iOS 8.

### 3.2.1 — 2014-07-28

NEW FEATURES
* Audio now will continue to play while app is in the background

FIXES
- Fixed bug that would occasionally prevent audio from resuming after a phone call or other interruption
- Other bug fixes and minor enhancements

### 3.2 — 2014-02-18

New design for iOS 7.
Bug fixes.

### 3.1.1 — 2014-01-03

Fixed bug that occasionally caused a crash on iPad.
Other minor fixes and enhancements.

## Apps similar to theDrumDictionary

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [DrumToolz](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drumtoolz/id1461677465) | 4.2 (270) | Free | Music |
| [InstaDrum - Be a Drummer Now](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instadrum-be-a-drummer-now/id1589890234) | 4.7 (1,791) | Free | Music |
| [Learn Drums - Beginner Beats](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-drums-beginner-beats/id1551606989) | 4.4 (119) | Free | Music |
| [Drum Rudiments Trainer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-rudiments-trainer/id6738361937) | 4.4 (9) | Free | Music |
| [Drum Notes: Beats & Notation](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-notes-beats-and-notation/id1493160348) | 4.6 (203) | Free | Music |
| [Drum Notation by Beat Note](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-notation-by-beat-note/id1539132475) | 4.7 (83) | Free | Music |

## More apps by Hawks Hill Software, LLC

- [Click Metronome](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/click-metronome/id705075264)

All apps by Hawks Hill Software, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/1537224753

## Related topics

[drum rudiments](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/drum-rudiments) · [drum notation by beat note](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/drum-notation-by-beat-note)

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*