For the short drum sequence used to punctuate a comedic punchline, often referred to as a rimshot, see Sting (percussion)

Sting (percussion)

A sting, often incorrectly referred to as a rimshot, is a short sequence played by a drummer to punctuate a joke, especially an obvious one. A sting is often used as accompaniment during cabaret- and circus-style shows. The sound of the sting is sometimes written ba dum tsh, ba-dum ching,...

.

A rimshot is the sound produced by hitting the rim

Rim

Rim may refer to:* Rim , the sharp circular edge which surrounds the coin design* Rim , the part of a crater that extends above the height of the local surface...

 and the head

Drumhead

A drumhead is a membrane stretched over one or both of the open ends of a drum. The drumhead is struck with sticks, mallets, or hands so that it vibrates and the sound resonates through the drum.-History:...

 of a drum

Drum

The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...

 simultaneously, with a drum stick

Drum stick

A percussion mallet is an object used to beat drums and other percussion instruments. Some specialized mallets are called beaters, drumsticks.Note: See Rute .-Drum sticks:...

. Rimshots are usually played to produce a more accented note, and are typically played loudly. However, soft rim shots are possible.

There are three standard types of rim shots in marching percussion

Marching percussion

Marching percussion instruments are specially designed to be played while moving. This is achieved by attaching the drum to a special harness worn by the drummer. The drums are designed and tuned for maximum articulation and projection of sound, as marching activities are almost always outdoors or...

. The first, most common type of rimshot is the normal rimshot. This is played with the bead (tip) of the stick about three inches from the rim. This produces a prominent, accented tone. The second is called a "ping shot". In a ping shot, the bead is oriented much closer to the rim, about one inch. This produces a high pitched sound. The third, called a "gock," is produced by putting the bead of the drum stick at the center, the rim making contact closer to the hand than in a ping or normal rimshot. This makes a lower sound.

In Latin percussion

Latin percussion

The term Latin percussion refers to any number of a large family of musical percussion instruments used in Latin music, which in turn is a very loosely related group of musical styles, mainly from the Latin American region, and ultimately having roots or influences in African tribal...

, timbale

Timbale

Timbale may refer to:*Timbales or timbal, a Cuban and LatinoAmerican percussion instrument*Timbale , a kind of dish of various ingredients baked in a round mold...

 players play rimshots near the edge of the head, but these sound very different from gocks in marching percussion.

In orchestra

Orchestra

An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...

l percussion, a rimshot is performed by placing one drum stick with the stick head near the middle of the drumhead, and the shaft pressed against the rim, and striking with the other stick. This produces a less powerful, but more precise and accurate rimshot than its marching cousin. This method is known as a "stick shot".

Rimshots and gocks both produce loud cracks that contain large amounts of overtones.

The rimshot should not be confused with the cross stick technique, in which the tip of a drumstick is placed on the head near one of the bearing edges and the shaft of the stick is struck against the rim opposite the tip, creating a dry, high pitched "click" similar to a set of claves

Claves

Claves are a percussion instrument , consisting of a pair of short Claves (Anglicized pronunciation: clah-vays, IPA:[ˈklαves]) are a percussion instrument (idiophone), consisting of a pair of short Claves (Anglicized pronunciation: clah-vays, IPA:[ˈklαves]) are a percussion instrument (idiophone),...

: this is a rim knock.

Drummer Gene Krupa

Gene Krupa

Gene Krupa was an American jazz and big band drummer and composer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style.-Biography:...

is credited with having invented the rimshot.

The rim shot has become "standard" practice amongst many Black/African-American drummers of Gospel Music and Popular Music amongst drummers such as Joe Dunn (Joe Dunn and Family and Friends), Ira King and Nisan Stewart (Timbaland and Missy Elliot).