Educational Materials for Private Lessons
Percussive Arts Society Top 40 International Rudiments
Located on the PAS (Percussive Arts Society) website is a list of the top 40 international rudiments that every percussionist should know. Students may download the PDF of them and also listen to them through the website for free.
The Three Minute Roll
Many students have a hard time developing a consistent "Double Stroke Open Roll" (Number 6 on the PAS top 40 international rudiment list)
Below is a video of me explaining how to play an exercise that will help to develop a consistent double stroke roll. The exercise is called "The Three Minute Roll". This exercise is great for not only beginners but advance players as well. Students will need a stopwatch or something that can keep time.
Suggested Studies
These are some methods books that I recommend for advanced students who are looking to continue with their percussion studies through college.
For beginners, I suggest these two methods books.
There are various music stores in Longview/Tyler area in which you may purchase instruments/music.
The two main websites that I use for ordering percussion music/equipment are:
If a student would like to purchase a practice pad and sticks, I recommend the Evans Real Feel pad and either the Brett Kuhn or Lalo Davila sticks. Whichever of those sticks is in stock at the time will be fine. If the 12" pad is too expensive, the 6" will work just fine for practicing at home. You may click on the link below to order one from Steve Weiss Music.
I highly recommend that students use a metronome when practicing. We use one throughout all of our rehearsals and private lessons. The first job of every percussionist is to keep "time". The best way to achieve this is by practicing with a metronome regularly. The cheapest way to get a metronome is to simply download one onto a device. This may include a tablet or smart phone. There are plenty of FREE metronome apps in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If your student does not have a device or would like to have one separately from their device, I have posted below links to my recommendations for metronomes. The link order is ranked from average to professional quality Metronomes.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me through this website. I check my email regularly.
- Contemporary Studies for Snare Drum by Fred Albright
- Portraits in Rhythm by Anthony Cirone
- Standard Snare Drum Method by Benjamin Podemski
- 14 Modern Contest Solos by John S. Pratt
- Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, and Vibraphone by Morris Goldenberg
For beginners, I suggest these two methods books.
There are various music stores in Longview/Tyler area in which you may purchase instruments/music.
The two main websites that I use for ordering percussion music/equipment are:
If a student would like to purchase a practice pad and sticks, I recommend the Evans Real Feel pad and either the Brett Kuhn or Lalo Davila sticks. Whichever of those sticks is in stock at the time will be fine. If the 12" pad is too expensive, the 6" will work just fine for practicing at home. You may click on the link below to order one from Steve Weiss Music.
- Evans Real Feel Practice Pad 12"
- Evans Real Feel Practice Pad 6"
- Innovative Percussion Brett Kuhn Field Series Momentum Snare Sticks FSBK3
- Innovative Percussion Lalo Davila Concert Snare Sticks IPLD
I highly recommend that students use a metronome when practicing. We use one throughout all of our rehearsals and private lessons. The first job of every percussionist is to keep "time". The best way to achieve this is by practicing with a metronome regularly. The cheapest way to get a metronome is to simply download one onto a device. This may include a tablet or smart phone. There are plenty of FREE metronome apps in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If your student does not have a device or would like to have one separately from their device, I have posted below links to my recommendations for metronomes. The link order is ranked from average to professional quality Metronomes.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me through this website. I check my email regularly.
