Mastering the Snare Drum is a comprehensive method developed over many years of teaching and playing, incorporating both traditional and modern techniques. The book includes extensive commentary on the music and techniques in each lesson, making it an exceptional choice for self-study. Current and past lesson reviews also make this book easy to use when studying with a teacher.

This method was designed to guide the student swiftly through a variety of concepts to prevent boredom. Still, it thoroughly covers all aspects of playing the snare drum and techniques used in classical music, rock, jazz and more. Beginning with the operation and tuning of the drum and progressing to all facets of technique, this book will provide a wide array of material for all learners. Includes access to online audio.

The Snare Drum

The Four Strokes

Beginning Musical Notation

Reading Whole Notes and Half Notes

Quarter Notes and Quarter Rests

The Single-Stroke Roll

2/4 and 3/4 Time

The Double-Stroke Roll

Eighth Notes

Rebounding the Sticks

First and Second Endings

Alternating Rebounds/The Flam

Eighth Rests

The 5Stroke Roll/Accents/Dynamic Markings

Applying the Rebounds/Dotted-Quarter Notes/Ties

Sixteenth Notes/The Paradiddle

Sixteenth Rests/The Multiple-Bounce Roll

Eighth and Sixteenth-Note Combination 1

Eighth and Sixteenth Combination 2/Mezzo Piano & Mezzo Forte

Dotted-Eighth Notes/Eighth-Sixteenth Combination 3

Eighth and Sixteenth-Note Combination 4

Eighth and Sixteenth-Note Combination 5/Crescendo -Decresendo

Duets

Reading Flams/Fortissimo  Pianissimo/The Drag

32nd Notes/Reading Rolls

Reading the 5Stroke Roll/The Flam Tap

Reading 9Stroke Rolls

Reading Paradiddles/The Double Paradiddle/Dal Segno

Eighth-Note Triplets

Rolling in Meter

Review of s 130/The Flam Paradiddle

Triplet Accent #2

Triplet Accent #3

Reading Flam Taps

Triplet Accents and Flam Tap Review

5/4 Time

Sixteenth-Note Triplets

Quarter-Note Triplets/Two-Measure Repeats

6/8 Time/The 7Stroke Roll

Additional Time Signatures

Mixed Meters

Alla Breve or Cut Time

Da Capo/Coda/Rudiment Notation in Reading

Final Review

Two-Drum Exercises

The 12 Basic Rudiments