Best Percussion Songbooks of 2026

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.

The Easiest Tongue Drum Songbook Ever! features 100 popular songs that can be played on a tongue drum without having to read music. Leroy Harper’s book uses tongue drum tablature, making it easy for beginners to master their first song in just a few minutes. The book is 100% note-free and includes chord symbols and diagrams for guitar accompaniment. The 8, 11 or 13 tongue diatonic model tongue drum is all that’s needed to play tunes such as Amazing Grace, Camptown Races, and Oh Susannah. For anyone looking to play popular songs on their tongue drum, this book is a great resource.

The Tongue Drum Songbook is a collection of 50 popular songs arranged for easy playing on the tongue drum. Lena Eckhoff's book is suitable for beginners, as reading music is not required, and the easy-to-follow tongue drum TAB allows players to start playing their first song in just a few minutes. The book covers everything from playing basics to advanced techniques like damping and includes sections on layout, care and maintenance, and tuning. Overall, this book is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in learning to play the tongue drum.

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 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.

This percussion songbook titled "70 Simple Songs for the 8-Note Tongue Drum" is a great resource for beginners of all ages who want to learn folk music. The book does not use classic music score systems but instead uses circles with numbers to teach popular melodies. This makes it easier for absolute beginners who cannot read sheet music to learn. The book includes popular children's and folk songs, which when played on the tongue drum, create a magical sound. The book recommends finding each song on YouTube and listening to the rhythm before playing. Overall, this is an excellent book for anyone looking to experiment with popular melodies on a diatonic 8-note tongue drum.

Alfred's Beginners Drumset Method is an innovative and practical approach to playing the drumset. The book is divided into two sections, Rock and Jazz, where students learn the techniques for using hi-hat, ride cymbal, snare, and bass drum in each style. The highlight of this book is the fact that students start playing a beat from their very first lesson. The play-along CD, which corresponds to the drum charts, is available separately. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn to play the drumset, and its unique teaching method makes it stand out from other books in its category.

The Gaddiments book, written by Steve Gadd, is a must-have for drummers looking to improve their technical ability, rhythmic vocabulary, and groove. The book contains over 80 exercises based on classic and contemporary rudiments, with accompanying videos of Steve demonstrating each etude. The solos are written in musical phrases, highlighting the importance of phrasing in musicianship. The book's layout was specifically designed by Gadd, creating an easy musical flow to the reading. This book is an instant classic that drummers of all genres will appreciate and find educational, challenging, and fun.

4-Way Coordination: A Method Book for the Development of Complete Independence on the Drum Set is a must-have for any drummer looking to improve their skills. This book offers various rhythmic exercises that are easy to read and guide the drummer from simple patterns to advanced polyrhythms. The student will gain invaluable listening skills and techniques that will provide insight into drumming in all styles. The book is authored by Marvin Dahlgren and Elliot Fine, who are both renowned drummers and educators. Published by Alfred Music, this book is an excellent addition to any percussionist's library.