Multiple Zen Map Strategy

You should keep several different maps readily available on the Zen, for different types of music. Rock, Latin, Ska, Metal all have emphasis on different drum configurations. I even have some configurations I threw together to ease the play of a specific pattern and then learned other grooves for those setups.

Don't think you're confined to fingertips. The heel pf the palm is extremely useful. Check out the Manoteo style playing page. It explains how to convert conga style playing to Zen trap playing. It also points out how thw three basic sounds used there are NOT linear next to each other, but form a triangle.

It all comes down to individuality. Song, user, sound. Sure, you can use setups and beats defined by someone else, and thats an excellent way to learn new ideas, but you probably learn more through tweaking and developing your own based off of some basic principal you need for your style of playing.

I'm sure if we asked everyone where they put Bass Guitar notes if they cover a bass riff as well as drums, that their answers would vary wildly.

Take notes, learn from everyone you see, then make your own thing. Playing Zendrum is a lot like cooking Chili in that respect...