Best Percussion Instruments Books of 2025

Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer by George Lawrence Stone is a timeless classic and a must-have for any drummer's library. This book covers everything from basic to advanced rhythms and focuses on improving control, speed, flexibility, touch, rhythm, power, endurance, and more, with special emphasis on developing the weak hand. The book is organized into categories of single-beat combinations, triplets, short roll combinations, flam beats, flam triplets and dotted notes, and short roll progressions. Modern Drummer magazine named it the number one drumming book of all-time, and it's easy to see why. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, this book is an indispensable resource that you'll turn to time and time again.

Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer by Ted Reed Publications is a must-have for beginner drummers. It has been voted second on Modern Drummer's list of 25 Greatest Drum Books in 1993, and it's easy to see why. The book is exclusively designed to teach syncopation, making it an essential tool for beginners to strengthen their reading skills. With accented eighths, dotted eighths and sixteenths, eighth-note triplets, and sixteenth notes, this book offers an array of exercises to help develop extended solos. Teachers can also create their own examples from it. Overall, this book is a practical and versatile guide that will help drummers master syncopation.

Alfred's Drum Method, Bk 1 is a comprehensive guide for beginners to learn snare drum and percussion performance. The book covers rudimental studies, roll studies, contest solos, and bass drum and cymbal technique, making it an ideal teaching tool for aspiring drummers. With 23 solos suitable for recitals and contests, this best-selling book provides excellent sequential instruction in 80 pages. The availability of the book in MakeMusic Cloud makes it a convenient option for learners. Overall, Alfred's Drum Method, Bk 1 is a must-have for anyone who wants to learn snare drum and percussion performance, and the wide range of techniques covered in the book makes it unique.

The "A Funky Primer for the Rock Drummer" is a 46-page encyclopedia of rock and funk patterns for drummers of all levels. The book utilizes a contemporary teaching style for independence, rudiments, and styles, making it a best-seller among percussion instrument books. With its clear explanations and easy-to-follow exercises, the book helps drummers improve their skills and develop their own style. The book is published by Alfred, a well-known brand in the music industry.

The Drumset Musician - 2nd Edition, Updated & Expanded (Book/Online Audio) is a must-have for any drummer looking to improve their skills. This book offers practical beats and fills, and teaches how to apply a variety of grooves and fills to the performance of songs. The accompanying audio tracks include demos and 18 play-along songs covering a wide range of rock, blues, and pop styles, making it easy for drummers to create exciting, solid drum parts. The book's inclusion on Modern Drummer's "25 Timeless Drum Books" list is well-deserved, and it's no surprise that it's become a favorite among drummers of all skill levels.

The Ultimate Guide to Syncopation with Online Video by Bruce Becker is a comprehensive book that adapts the exercises in Ted Reed's classic book Syncopation to achieve fluidity of movement, phrasing, and independence. Bruce Becker, a master teacher, provides unique concepts in developing "the flow" and offers guidance to drummers seeking to enhance their skills. The book's concepts are designed to choreograph movement, build better phrasing and stretch independence. The book is incredibly comprehensive in its scope and covers a wide range of styles from rock to Latin and bebop. Overall, this book is highly recommended for drummers of all levels.

Slammin' Simon's Guide to Mastering Your First Rock & Roll Drum Beats is an excellent instructional resource for children aged 9-14 who are learning to play percussion. The book includes basic quarter-note and eighth-note drumset beats needed to start performing in the Rock music style. The graphics are awesome and the drum beats are easy to read. The book is perfect for use in the lesson room, by instructors who work with young students, as well as at home, by parents of children learning to play percussion. Overall, it is a fun and engaging way to learn the rudiments, grooves, and fills needed to become a rockstar drummer.

Groove Essentials 1.0 - The Play-Along is a comprehensive play-along instructional package that offers a focused and interactive groove experience for all levels of drummers. With over six hours of music, including styles from all over the world, and truly professional sketch charts, this book is designed to be your groove companion forever. The audio files can be streamed or downloaded and played on any of your devices. The book works in conjunction with the Groove Essentials Instructional Video, a three-hour-and-forty-minute program that features in-depth instruction by Tommy on all forty-seven grooves, as well as a free Groove Essentials poster. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for drummers of all levels who want to improve their groove, coordination, and overall musicianship.

The Hal Leonard Drumset Method - Complete Edition is a comprehensive and user-friendly beginner's guide for anyone learning to play the drumset, featuring both Books 1 and 2, audio tracks, and video lessons by drum master, Gregg Bissonette. The book covers everything from drum setup and fundamentals to limb independence, syncopation, jazz drumming, and more. The comb-bound format makes it easy to use while playing, and the online media provides helpful demonstrations and play-alongs. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn the drumset and improve their skills.

The Art of Bop Drumming: Book & Online Audio (Manhattan Music Publications) is the definitive guide to bop drumming. This book and audio presentation cover everything from time playing, comping, soloing, brushes, and more jazz essentials in an entertaining mix of text, music, and quotes. The book is a comprehensive resource for drummers looking to master the cornerstone of contemporary music's development. Published by Alfred Music, this book is a must-have for percussion instrument enthusiasts.