Reddit mentions: The best percussion songbooks

I've been a drummer since I was 8. Quite rusty right now as a lot of things have kept me from practicing (moving to apartments for years, etc.). Honestly, it's never too late to start. Are you going to be playing Carnegie Hall in a year? Wildly unlikely. But as long as your expectations are grounded in reality, that learning anything takes time and practice, you should be good.

As for practice and sense of tempo/timing: it is imperative that you buy a good metronome and practice with it regularly. You don't necessarily need a Dr. Beat, though I have one, and it is useful at times. But you do need some kind of click to play off of.

Can you read music? If so, there are some really good technique books out there that I'd recommend that are classics. Most people hate grinding technique, but I find it oddly relaxing. Here's some good books:

• Stick Control
  
• Syncopation
  
• Master Studies - (Do wait on this one a bit and start slow. It is possible to injure yourself if you get too carried away. Stone Killer exercises are no joke)
  
• New Breed - This one's actually a full drum set book. Quite challenging. May want to wait on this one a bit or try to just play one or two of the lines together (eg. right and and right foot).
  
  The first two books are probably where you should start. With all of these, start the metronome at molasses level slow - like 60 bpm or maybe even slower if you're not accurate at that speed. Get comfortable with that speed - maybe 15-30 mins at that speed without any mistakes. Then bump the timing up slightly 2-4 bpm and repeat. At no point should you be tensing up. If you are, you need to stop immediately, shake out your arms, and back down the tempo a bit.
  
  Make sure that you're making more use of your fingers than your wrists. Wrists can be good to start the stroke, but your fingers should be doing a lot of the work.
  
  There's a lot of other technique stuff that you can do, but the above alone could take you 5-10 years of solid daily practice if you're being thorough.
  
  Good luck!

This^

Technique is one of the most important elements to practice.

Practicing limb independence is critical for being able to have all arms and legs doing different functions. I found Thomas Lang's- Creative Control DVD super helpful for different things to practice.

I grew up listening to Rush and my dad got me this book full of transcribed songs. Helped me to count odd times better back when learning. Hope this helps.

Ask me how I know.

Lawrence Stone's Stick Control & Master Studies by Joe Morello

Great books to utilize while simultaneously working your sheet music skills. Good luck

Drumming. You can start with a decent book, a set of sticks and a practice pad. All in all, it'll probably set you back about £30.

• Book I'd recommend
  
• Sticks, look around for ones you like. Most people like 5As
  
• Practice Pad
  
• /r/IntroToMusicTheory/ If you want to learn more of the theoretical side
  
  If you're desperate to start, there are a few basic lessons out there on the internet. I started out with a couple of pencils and a note pad.
  
  I would've suggested any sort of musical instrument, but drums are by far one of the cheapest to get started, and I'd recommend lessons if you can afford a regular commitment.
  
  If you're struggling with actually keeping time (speeding up is a common problem) that are free metronomes on the internet, or you can buy a cheapish one for around £10 - £15

Ah memories. Yep I started with How to Play rock'n'roll drums, Syncopation and this book way back in the early 90's. Then later on went to Advanced Techniques, Future Sounds and The New Breed for different permutations and limb independence. And 'trying' to pick apart and play Dave Weckl's Island Magic.

Does anyone else remember those drum solos like calypso eclipsed and aint it rich?

Since you can already read music, you have a huge advantage - books. I would try this one out, it will help with your snare/bass issues: https://www.amazon.com/Drummers-Cookbook-John-Pickering/dp/0786692855/

The Drummer's Cookbook. I use it with all my students.

Drummers / Percussionists should purchase Master Studies by Joe Morello. I've used his book for years (my teacher studied with Joe), and I've since used them with my students.

Master Studies II is out as well and is just as good.

These books are a more modern version of George Stone's Stick Control.

Get quad logic. It will teach you most everything you need to know. I am using it right now for learning tenors for my audition... Even though my audition is in 8-9 months, it still applies. If you have any questions, I would reccomend asking a current quads player at your school for help if you are struggling on anything, but mainly... Buy Quad Logic, and a Quadropad, I recommend the Vic Firth Heavy Hitter ones.

https://www.amazon.com/Quad-Logic-Revised-Eiton-Drumming/dp/1933001194/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502565010&sr=8-1&keywords=quad+logic

https://www.amazon.com/Vic-Firth-Heavy-Hitter-Quadropad/dp/B0002F5CEC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1502565032&sr=8-1&keywords=vic+firth+quadropad

are you asking about hand independence or developing even playing with both hands? and can you read music?

a short answer assuming some things: get Master Studies by Joe Morello, and start with the Stone Killers. Work your non dominant hand more than your other.

Two ideas for you:

1. A good book with CD of music from the notation - eg. The Evolution of Jazz Drumming
   
   
2. Drum Kit (grades) - eg. Trinity Rock & Pop 2018 Drums Grade 4

The NARD book is the pinnacle of rudimental drumming. It opens with the 26 rudiments and then it has a bunch of pieces to play.
https://www.amazon.com/10300111-Americas-NARD-Drum-Solos/dp/1578919789

Any drummer worth his salt has learnt from Master Studies by Joe Morello

Check out Mel Bay - The Drummer's Cookbook. It's full of all kinds of patterns between the kick and snare and will really give you some new ideas.


http://www.amazon.com/Mel-Bay-Drummers-Cook-Book/dp/0871668262/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457551346&sr=8-1&keywords=drummers+cookbook

The version without drums is on the CD sold along with his book: http://www.amazon.com/Exercises-Natural-Playing-Book-CD/dp/0825850983

There's this bad boy I picked up a couple of months ago. Prepare to be overwhelmed. There's so much to learn from Bill's playing. There is a Bill Evans omnibook in the making, but it's not out yet.