Drummers' Dictionary - A

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Accent

To emphasise a specific note.

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Ambience

The added sound contributed by the room in which music is being performed or recorded, characterized by quality (bright, warm, dark), quantity (live of dead), and length of decay (long or short).

Source: Modern Drummer Magazine, August 2005

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American Grip

A specific type of Matched grip where the palms are at approximately 45 degrees to the drum head, halfway between the French and German grip.

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Attack

The defining part of a sound that gives it articulation, occurring at the beginning of the note. With drums, the attack is due to the sound of the stick or beater against the head.

Source: Modern Drummer Magazine, August 2005