Comprehensive drum book.

ludakot

Member
I might be expecting too much here, but are there are drum books that contain a lot of information that you can work through over a long period of time? Probably something designed for a teacher to use to teach students is what I'm looking for. My problem is I never really know what to work on and learn.

I've been playing for a couple of years now and I'm at the intermediate stage and my progress over the last 6 months hasn't been the best. I usually just sit down at the kit and play random stuff because I find it difficult to figure out what to learn, besides standard stuff like rudiments etc. Before anyone says anything, I know a teacher would help me get on track right now, but please don't bother commenting on that.

So is there anything out there that contains a lot of varied stuff that I can work through in a progressive fashion, like a drum course in a book so to speak. Something that gives you the information and practice routines, tips etc to become a well rounded drummer. I imagine there isn't a book out there this vast so recommending two or three instead would be great, or if you don't know of any then posting about how you worked out what to practice would be great.

Thanks!
 
All the pros I know and myself have a small library full of books and DVDs. It's difficult to point you in a particular direction, because we don't know where you're at -- a teacher could provide that answer, as I'm sure you know. Short answer: no such "drum course" volume exists.

From my perspective, there are two kinds of drum set books: the ones that teach specifics (beats, exercises, fills, polyrhythms, etc.), and the ones that teach broader ideas (ostinato-based coordination, rudimental solos, stickings, rhythms, etc.). The former (Vic Firth's Snare Drum Method Vol. 1, Stick Control, Realistic Rock, Advanced Funk Studies, Advanced Techniques For The Modern Drummer) are a necessary stepping stone, but the latter (Gary Chafee's Patterns Series, any Charles Wilcoxon book, The New Breed, Studio and Big Band Drumming) contain the real goods.

But all of these mean nothing without a band experience to provide the types of challenges you just can't get from books alone. Get out there and play with as many people as you can! Definitely get into a situation with a band leader, musical director, or producer, and allow them to guide you!
 
I agree with you there, but not everyone has hundreds of $$$ to spend on specialised books :)

As far as I'm concerned, these books would give you a great coverage of everything you 'need' as a drummer, and I would suggest purchasing them roughly in this order depending on how much money you have to spend:

Progressive Rhythms (Chris Brien)
Advanced Techniques (Jim Chapin)
Stick Control (George Lawrence Stone)
Double Bass Freedom (Virgil Donati)
The New Breed (Gary Chester)
Linear Patterns (Gary Chaffee)

You would use Progressive Rhythms to learn all the basics and foundations, and the material contained within can also be used to supplement what you learn in some of the other books.

Advanced Techniques is a necessity for any drummer - learn to play jazz, become a better drummer. It's that simple.

Stick Control... I'm sure most of us know what that's about. It's not something you hand to a drummer who can't play a rock beat, but a tool for increasing your capability overall.

Double Bass Freedom, IMO, is the last word in learning and developing double bass skill. Obviously if you have no intention in learning to play double kick, there's no need to buy it.

The New Breed: Great for learning to sight read, develop independence and it is specifically written to get people learning to groove while sight reading. Not a good thing to start a new drummer on as it assumes you are already a moderately capable drummer.

Linear Patterns: How to play those awesome fills with ghost notes and accents that all of today's great drummers use is outlined in this book, along with various linear grooves and other related concepts. Fantastic book.
 
anyone know a book similar to Progressive Rhythms that I could get a hold of.. for some reason I can't find that book for sale..
 
I might be expecting too much here, but are there are drum books that contain a lot of information that you can work through over a long period of time? Probably something designed for a teacher to use to teach students is what I'm looking for. My problem is I never really know what to work on and learn.

I've been playing for a couple of years now and I'm at the intermediate stage and my progress over the last 6 months hasn't been the best. I usually just sit down at the kit and play random stuff because I find it difficult to figure out what to learn, besides standard stuff like rudiments etc. Before anyone says anything, I know a teacher would help me get on track right now, but please don't bother commenting on that.

There are, but no book is going to help you unless you can check the impulse to "just sit down at the kit and play random stuff." Practice is as much a "how" as a "what". My first instinct is that someone who has only been playing "a couple of years" probably still has plenty of work to do on foundational technique, coordination, reading, styles, and so on. There is no lack of things to be working on and, in my experience, most players who've only been playing for two years do not have the necessary foundation to establish an efficient self-driven course of study. You may be the exception. However -- you don't want to hear this but, too bad! -- an objective set of eyes could assess what you're doing and give you material that will help you build that foundation. Even one or two lessons with a good teacher could point you down a path that would keep you going for months. Unfortunately without watching you play it's impossible to know what direction to point you in. A book may give you direction and encourage focus for a time, but eventually, you just end up with a pile of books half-digested collecting dust on the shelves.

So is there anything out there that contains a lot of varied stuff that I can work through in a progressive fashion, like a drum course in a book so to speak. Something that gives you the information and practice routines, tips etc to become a well rounded drummer. I imagine there isn't a book out there this vast so recommending two or three instead would be great, or if you don't know of any then posting about how you worked out what to practice would be great.

Not that I know of. You may get various aspects of this list of requirements from one book, or even compile them together from several books, advice on the internet, etc. The reason that great educators (like Stone, Morello, Elliot & Fine, Dawson, Blackley etc.) don't go into great specific details about such things in their books is that they know/knew it is impossible to create a one-size-fits-all approach. Each student is individual and needs to have their course of study tailored to best maximise their abilities. They also recognise the power of face-to-face personal instruction and correction in order to impart these most important aspects of the learning process. For example, I know from experience that Jim Blackley's books are a treasure trove of information about all kinds of things to do with drumming and even life in general, but even Jim would tell you that a book can only scrape the surface. Even a guy like Tommy Igoe - who has done an incredible job passing on a lot of information in his videos that you wouldn't get in a book - doesn't give you the whole shebang. I've never asked him, but I'm willing to bet it's not simply because he's trying to protect his teaching business (why pay at the store when you can get the milk for free?) but because he knows that isn't the optimum away to approach teaching. He's forever talking about the importance of his mentors and teachers to his development. He had Sonny Freaking Igoe to hang with. I'd give my eye teeth...

Simply put, the two best ways I know to get the information to be a "well-rounded drummer" are:

1. Play a lot for many years.

If you're having to piece together the skills to get and keep gigs, then you're eventually going to stumble on the stuff that works. This method has worked for many great players, but probably more guys don't make it because their lack of skills and refinement hold them back. You didn't mention if you're playing with other people at all, but on-the-job training is a brilliant but cruel taskmaster. The thing is, very often we see that guys who go this route and have success have the presence of some kind of mentor in their life - like a parent or other figure who has experience with music, either as a drummer or in some other way. That is, they have someone to help them learn the stuff you want to know. And before anyone makes a list of great "self taught" players (Derek Roddy comes to mind), I invite you to check out the Drummerworld main page and go down the list of drummers and do some research on their training. More often than not you find that those guys have had some help along the way. And increasingly, the guys at the top of the industry have come through the ranks.

2. Get some help.

I get the sense you're trying to take a shortcut. You want us -- who you don't know from Adam -- to provide drum lessons for you free of charge. Being the internet, you get what you pay for. Caveat emptor! You've already admitted that you haven't been able to direct your practice time on your own, yet you're compelled to attempt a course of self-education based on the advice of strangers. "Well-rounded" doesn't come from a book, or even a couple of books. It comes from many years of dedicated practice using many books, many materials, and plenty of hands-on experience. But, the journey is a lot shorter when you have help.

In short, my opinion is that you're looking for a teacher, not a book. Yeah, I know you don't want to hear this. That's why I'm saying it. :)
 
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get videos. go to you tube. listen to what drummers play in the context of a band. watch how they do what they do. emulate. there are a myraid of free lessons online. start anywhere and go from there. when you can't fiqure out how todo something go to a teacher and take as many lessons needed to learn what you want to learn. drumming isn't learned in a vacuum. examine what you're afraid of regarding studying with a teacher. face you fears and overcome them. think about why you want to play drums: love of music, fame, money, sex,? if it's not about the music perhaps you may want to think about another profession.
 
Simply put, the two best ways I know to get the information to be a "well-rounded drummer" are:

1. Play a lot for many years.

If you're having to piece together the skills to get and keep gigs, then you're eventually going to stumble on the stuff that works. This method has worked for many great players, but probably more guys don't make it because their lack of skills and refinement hold them back. You didn't mention if you're playing with other people at all, but on-the-job training is a brilliant but cruel taskmaster. The thing is, very often we see that guys who go this route and have success have the presence of some kind of mentor in their life - like a parent or other figure who has experience with music, either as a drummer or in some other way. That is, they have someone to help them learn the stuff you want to know. And before anyone makes a list of great "self taught" players (Derek Roddy comes to mind), I invite you to check out the Drummerworld main page and go down the list of drummers and do some research on their training. More often than not you find that those guys have had some help along the way. And increasingly, the guys at the top of the industry have come through the ranks.

2. Get some help.

I get the sense you're trying to take a shortcut. You want us -- who you don't know from Adam -- to provide drum lessons for you free of charge. Being the internet, you get what you pay for. Caveat emptor! You've already admitted that you haven't been able to direct your practice time on your own, yet you're compelled to attempt a course of self-education based on the advice of strangers. "Well-rounded" doesn't come from a book, or even a couple of books. It comes from many years of dedicated practice using many books, many materials, and plenty of hands-on experience. But, the journey is a lot shorter when you have help.

In short, my opinion is that you're looking for a teacher, not a book. Yeah, I know you don't want to hear this. That's why I'm saying it. :)

+1. Great post!!

OP, read it again (in fact, read it twice). :)
 
I get the sense you're trying to take a shortcut. You want us -- who you don't know from Adam -- to provide drum lessons for you free of charge. Being the internet, you get what you pay for. Caveat emptor! You've already admitted that you haven't been able to direct your practice time on your own, yet you're compelled to attempt a course of self-education based on the advice of strangers. "Well-rounded" doesn't come from a book, or even a couple of books. It comes from many years of dedicated practice using many books, many materials, and plenty of hands-on experience. But, the journey is a lot shorter when you have help.

In short, my opinion is that you're looking for a teacher, not a book. Yeah, I know you don't want to hear this. That's why I'm saying it. :)

Well put. I think that that's the greatest struggle of any drummer... is self motivation and self discipline. If you concur those two, you'll ask a lot less questions and instead search for your own answers. There is no replacing the position of a drum instructor however. Everyone will come to a point where they need a person to objectively look at how they play.
 
There are, but no book is going to help you unless you can check the impulse to "just sit down at the kit and play random stuff." Practice is as much a "how" as a "what". My first instinct is that someone who has only been playing "a couple of years" probably still has plenty of work to do on foundational technique, coordination, reading, styles, and so on. There is no lack of things to be working on and, in my experience, most players who've only been playing for two years do not have the necessary foundation to establish an efficient self-driven course of study. You may be the exception. However -- you don't want to hear this but, too bad! -- an objective set of eyes could assess what you're doing and give you material that will help you build that foundation. Even one or two lessons with a good teacher could point you down a path that would keep you going for months. Unfortunately without watching you play it's impossible to know what direction to point you in. A book may give you direction and encourage focus for a time, but eventually, you just end up with a pile of books half-digested collecting dust on the shelves.



Not that I know of. You may get various aspects of this list of requirements from one book, or even compile them together from several books, advice on the internet, etc. The reason that great educators (like Stone, Morello, Elliot & Fine, Dawson, Blackley etc.) don't go into great specific details about such things in their books is that they know/knew it is impossible to create a one-size-fits-all approach. Each student is individual and needs to have their course of study tailored to best maximise their abilities. They also recognise the power of face-to-face personal instruction and correction in order to impart these most important aspects of the learning process. For example, I know from experience that Jim Blackley's books are a treasure trove of information about all kinds of things to do with drumming and even life in general, but even Jim would tell you that a book can only scrape the surface. Even a guy like Tommy Igoe - who has done an incredible job passing on a lot of information in his videos that you wouldn't get in a book - doesn't give you the whole shebang. I've never asked him, but I'm willing to bet it's not simply because he's trying to protect his teaching business (why pay at the store when you can get the milk for free?) but because he knows that isn't the optimum away to approach teaching. He's forever talking about the importance of his mentors and teachers to his development. He had Sonny Freaking Igoe to hang with. I'd give my eye teeth...

Simply put, the two best ways I know to get the information to be a "well-rounded drummer" are:

1. Play a lot for many years.

If you're having to piece together the skills to get and keep gigs, then you're eventually going to stumble on the stuff that works. This method has worked for many great players, but probably more guys don't make it because their lack of skills and refinement hold them back. You didn't mention if you're playing with other people at all, but on-the-job training is a brilliant but cruel taskmaster. The thing is, very often we see that guys who go this route and have success have the presence of some kind of mentor in their life - like a parent or other figure who has experience with music, either as a drummer or in some other way. That is, they have someone to help them learn the stuff you want to know. And before anyone makes a list of great "self taught" players (Derek Roddy comes to mind), I invite you to check out the Drummerworld main page and go down the list of drummers and do some research on their training. More often than not you find that those guys have had some help along the way. And increasingly, the guys at the top of the industry have come through the ranks.

2. Get some help.

I get the sense you're trying to take a shortcut. You want us -- who you don't know from Adam -- to provide drum lessons for you free of charge. Being the internet, you get what you pay for. Caveat emptor! You've already admitted that you haven't been able to direct your practice time on your own, yet you're compelled to attempt a course of self-education based on the advice of strangers. "Well-rounded" doesn't come from a book, or even a couple of books. It comes from many years of dedicated practice using many books, many materials, and plenty of hands-on experience. But, the journey is a lot shorter when you have help.

In short, my opinion is that you're looking for a teacher, not a book. Yeah, I know you don't want to hear this. That's why I'm saying it. :)

To be honest, I know I need a teacher. I've said this before but it's something I'll do down the line, not yet. I could excuses like no car, short on cash, but really I just don't want to do it right now. This might turn out to haunt me if I one day realize that my playing has some errors, but that's something I'll face. I am in a functions band so I do play with other people, we've been practicing for a couple of months now and it's taking longer than I thought but we're getting there. I'm kinda fumbling through a bit, feeling out of place as the guitarist has been playing for 10 years, but I'm getting there. I usually feel like I'm the worst one there, and I notice a lot of errors in my playing, but people tell me I'm being paranoid. I guess you're never satisfied with your ability though.

I'm just looking to figure out an optimum method of self study and find the right study material, and lots of it!

Great post though, it's probably helped me more than you'd think, so thank you. :)
 
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If you like videos, check out the DVD's on from Hudson music. Choose a genre you are interested and get a book/DVD combo pack. Ask me specifically about a genre and I can help you choose.

If you want a lot of material for a variety of genres, and you like video, check out Johnny Rabb's new site:

www.drum365.com

That would also (partially) solve your teacher problem because Johnny is willing to answer questions, and I think memberships come with a free video session.

If you want general skills, take a look at Peter Erskine's Drum Set Essentials series. It's a three book series, you could probably start with #2.

Any particular genres you want to focus on?

-sheldon
 
Linear Patterns (Gary Chaffee)

Linear Patterns: How to play those awesome fills with ghost notes and accents that all of today's great drummers use is outlined in this book, along with various linear grooves and other related concepts. Fantastic book.

Did you actually mean 'Linear Time Playing' by Gary Chaffee? I don't think he has a book out called 'Linear Patterns'.
 
My apologies, it is called Sticking Patterns.

I just always think of it as linear patterns, hence the mix-up :).
 
There are a couple of books that fit that description perfectly. They're the "fresh approach" books by Mark Wessels. They're only available on his website. Probably you'd be most interested in his A Fresh Approach to the Drumset. The latest version was coauthored with Stanton Moore, and I think it's excellent. On the website you can download video lessons that accompany each lesson (chapter) in the book. Clearly this book is intended as a course to be done with an instructor. It's exactly what you're asking about. Enjoy.
 
Stick control for the snare drummer would probably last you near forever.
Do the rythms with hands, feet, spread it out over the kit.

Works great for me just that one although i guess it depends on how creative you get with it. It works wonders if someone can show you how to actually apply what's in that book. If you start incorporating some heel toe technique for example with it, the first page alone takes quite a while to get through.
 
Mike Michalkow has a drum encyclopedia called Drumming System released through freedrumlessons.com. That is about as comprehensive as you can get.
 
Stick control for the snare drummer would probably last you near forever.
Do the rythms with hands, feet, spread it out over the kit.

Works great for me just that one although i guess it depends on how creative you get with it. It works wonders if someone can show you how to actually apply what's in that book. If you start incorporating some heel toe technique for example with it, the first page alone takes quite a while to get through.

+1

There are so many ways to use Stick Control. I wish I had dug deeper with it when I was starting out, because you can apply it to so many facets of drum technique. I'm gone back to it and having a blast!
 
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