Drums For Dummies Paperback – July 31, 2006

PROS:Jeff Strong provides this extremely organized book that will benefit everyone from the beginner to the expert. He covers the majority of percussion instruments with details down to their history, tuning, and maintenance so that you don't have to only be a kit drummer. I like his personal suggestions on practicing techniques which usually can only be found in expensive drum lessons. These practice tips are essential for not developing bad habits that will hold you back from getting as good as you can get in the shortest amount of time.CONS:Could use more practice technique detail like what he meant about, "Singing the rhythm before playing it". He also decided not to cover the rudiments of the Tablas because they can be daunting but instead listed his website for more info. The CD covers numerous rhythms that are written out in the book but only two measures of each so you can't practice along with them. The rudiments cheat sheet is not organized very well, lists only the 26 American rudiments, and has small print making it hard to practice from a music stand.

I have been self teaching myself drums for about 2 months. This book is very helpful in providing advice but I think maybe I was expecting a guided course that progressed over time. There are exercises for practicing but it’s not structured so it’s really up to individuals to figure out how they want to learn and at what pace. Maybe it was unrealistic to expect a book to be a replacement for an instructor but I have had good results with others in the For Dummies series so I guess my expectations were a little higher than they should have been.I would’ve rated the book higher but the version I got did not have the promised cheat sheet of 26 American Standard Rudiments so I feel like I got cheated a little.

I'm getting back into percussion after a thirty year break to raise a family and stuff like that. This book plus "Stick Control" and "Syncopation" are great books to start with. I have downloaded the CD (included with the book) to my PC, then I play and repeat each track and play along. If you can't read music, hearing the track played as you look at each exercise will get you going quickly. I'm very happy with this purchase.

Very thorough and well written. Easy to understand.

I like the book! Has some historical context, observations of uses of drumming and then the lessons to learn how to drum.

The 'for Dummies' series continues to provide a useful format for quickly finding the information the reader needs.

Jeff Strong is a great drummer (have some of his CDs) and this book is very thorough. For my case, I was looking for some help w/ Taiko drumming which is not covered in this book.Pretty much every other percussion instrument is, though, so this is a valuable book for every other style.

very confuseing because i'm not really a musician so all the diagrams and terminology really does my head in - but i persevere ... slowly but surely!

Learning a new instrument is a big deal, yes? One book might not be perfect for everything/everybody. There is lots of great information in the book. As many beginners in 2022 do, I bought a cheap electronic drum kit, and there is nothing about such things in the book. There are chapters on shakers, bongos, tambourines, which I suspect many readers will not want.There are basic beats explained, for various genres - this is great, but it might help to say 'this beat fits xyz, as played by John Doe'.There is a section on song structure (verse, chorus etc), and the idea of a fill - again, would be nice to be pointed at examples from well-known bands (e.g. Rolling Stones rather than Dave Matthews Band). Having played (guitar) with top-class drummers, I appreciate their role in bringing soloists in, end sections etc - hard to locate this info.The audio is not downloadable, you have to visit the site and play it.Yes, I would recommend this book, but not as your only source.

I have pretty much got a lot of books on drumming, just like I have quite a few drum sticks but you never have enough and I just like to read what other experts have to say, although my favourite is buddy rich, there are some quite hints and tips and easy to remember guides etc. An all round good book for the budding drummer.

I like that it’s better than other books on the subject. But the major input has to come from you. If I read everything twice it sinks in.

The recipient of this book is really pleased with this book, but I'm not so sure about his Mum and Dad...

Well written, not difficult to follow, laid out in common sense fashion.