Education
The Best Snare Drum Books Every Drummer Should Own
Apr
To become skilled in playing the snare drum, it’s crucial to build a strong foundation in technique. Luckily for you, there are many excellent books available for drummers of all levels. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced musician, there are resources to help you improve your skills. In this post, we’ll explore some of the best snare drum books. These will cover general sticking and technique, rudimental drumming, and orchestral snare drumming. These books are essential resources for any drummer looking to deepen their understanding of the art of snare drumming.
Section 1: General Sticking and Technique
Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone
Stick Control is a must-have for snare drummers at any level. This classic book offers a series of exercises to enhance your control, speed, and endurance in both hands. These exercises are carefully designed to help you achieve evenness, clarity, and precision in your playing. Additionally, the book includes valuable tips and insights from the respected author, George Lawrence Stone. With its comprehensive content and user-friendly approach, Stick Control is an invaluable resource for any drummer looking to improve their technique and take their skills to the next level
Accents and Rebounds by George Lawrence Stone
Accents and Rebounds, another essential book by Stone, focuses on accenting skills and rebound control. This book aims to enhance dynamic control and maintain speed and fluidity. Exercises cover soft to loud playing and are useful for all levels. Rebound control is crucial, and this book offers exercises to master it. Accents and Rebounds is an excellent resource for drummers of all levels to improve their playing.
Master Studies by Joe Morello
Master Studies contains exercises and studies that concentrate on developing hand technique, such as finger control, wrist control, and hand coordination. Joe Morello, a highly respected drummer, is the author and his technique is highly regarded globally. The book is an exceptional resource for any drummer seeking to enhance their hand technique and overall control on the snare drum. The studies offered in this book cover a broad range of difficulty levels, making it suitable for beginners and advanced players alike. By working through the exercises and studies in this book, drummers can improve their skills and gain a deeper understanding of the art of snare drumming.
Section 2: Rudimental Drumming
Rudimental Primer by Mitchell Peters
This book offers a comprehensive guide to the 40 American rudiments, by providing foundational exercises and various etudes for each rudiment. Peters’ approach to rudimental drumming emphasizes the importance of developing a strong foundation of technique, which is essential for playing more complex rudimental solos and pieces.
Wilcoxon’s All American Drummer by Charley Wilcoxon
This book features 150 rudimental solos, ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty. Wilcoxon was a highly respected drummer and educator, and his approach to rudimental drumming is highly regarded by drummers around the world. All American Drummer is an excellent resource for any player looking to improve their rudimental skills and develop a deeper understanding of this essential aspect of drumming.
John Pratt’s 14 Contest Solos
This book is a collection of 14 solos that are frequently used in drum corps competitions. Each solo focuses on a different rudimental skill, making it an excellent resource for players looking to improve their overall technique. Pratt’s approach to rudimental drumming emphasizes the importance of developing a strong sense of musicality and expression, which is essential for playing in a drum corps or marching band setting.
Section 3: Orchestral Snare Drumming
Portraits in Rhythm by Anthony J. Cirone
Portraits in Rhythm presents 50 challenging snare drum etudes that concentrate on fostering musicality and precision. These etudes aim to challenge even the most experienced snare drummers, and they provide an exceptional resource for players who want to cultivate their orchestral snare drumming skills.
Delecluse 12 Etudes
Jacques Delecluse’s 12 Etudes are often considered the gold standard for orchestral snare drumming. Each etude focuses on a different aspect of snare drumming technique, including dynamics, control, and musical expression. Drummers worldwide highly regard Delecluse’s approach to orchestral snare drumming, thanks to his esteemed reputation as a percussionist and educator. These 12 etudes are an essential resource for any player looking to master their orchestral drumming skills.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, the best snare drum books offer valuable resources to improve your playing. These books cover a range of topics, from general sticking and technique to challenging orchestral snare drum repertoire. Authored by respected educators and performers, you’ll receive expert guidance to achieve your goals. By incorporating these resources into your practice routine, you’ll have the tools and knowledge to take your snare drumming skills to the next level. It’s highly recommended that you explore these essential resources to improve your snare drumming technique and achieve your musical aspirations. And don’t forget that you can find drum sheet music for your favorite songs at our online store
