Best Percussion Book | Master the Art of Playing Percussion

best percussion books

Playing Percussion instruments is not that easy for anyone as it takes consistent practice to master this quality. And for the correct guideline for practice, you must follow the best methods used by professional musicians.

In this article, I have enlisted a number of the best percussion books. These books describe various proven methods and techniques to play drums, cymbals, xylophones, gongs, bells, and rattles. Check the list and pick your necessary books.

Essential Elements 2000: Comprehensive Band Method (Percussion Book 1) Texas Edition
Author: John Higgins, Charles Menghini, Paul Lavender, Tom C. Rhodes, Don Bierschenk Tim Lautzenheiser
Published at: 01/01/1999
ISBN: 0634075020

This percussion book offers interactive and compatible lessons for beginner musicians to learn to play the band instruments at their own pace. With this book, you will develop a sound pedagogy and music listening skill in your favorite instruments.

What You'll Learn From This Book:

  • Basics of arranging your instruments
  • Accurate tuning of different instruments
  • Understanding chorales
  • Developing rhythms
  • Increasing music listening capability
  • Techniques for playing individual instruments
  • Playing accessory percussion instruments
  • 12 full band arrangements


Accent on Achievement, Percussion, Book 1
Author: John O'Reilly,Mark Williams
Published at: 01/06/1997
ISBN: 0739005154

Accent on Achievement offers a great collection of examples of classics and world music in any band method. With proven methods and comprehensive details about the methods, this wonderful book will excite and stimulate your learning.

What You'll Learn From This Book:

  • Understanding rhythm
  • Working with chorales
  • Knowledge of scales
  • Progressive technical studies
  • Increasing brass instrument range and flexibility
  • 11 complete band arrangements.


Sound Innovations for Concert Band, Bk 1: A Revolutionary Method for Beginning Musicians (Combined Percussion), Book & Online Media
Author: Robert Sheldon,Peter Boonshaft,Dave Black,Bob Phillips
Published at: 01/05/2010
ISBN: 0739067400

This percussion book is a very helpful book for the beginning musicians. With a logical sequence, clear goals for each exercise and uncomplicated explanations about all the methods and concepts, this book will help you for better comprehension and improved execution of technique.

What You'll Learn From This Book:

  • A complete overview of your instruments
  • Creating your first music arrangements
  • Techniques for holding the sticks, mallets, and beaters
  • Performing soundcheck
  • Creating various sound notes
  • Playing accessory percussion instruments
  • Care and maintenance of your instruments


W61PR - Tradition of Excellence Book 1 - Percussion
Author: Bruce Pearson,Ryan Nowlin
Published at: 01/03/2016
ISBN: 0849770696

The tradition of Excellence combines traditional music with modern techniques. Careful reviews of instruments and comprehensive music arrangements will help you to learn at a smooth pace.

What You'll Learn From This Book:

  • 3 unique starting systems
  • Introduction to sounds and symbols
  • Rhythm studies
  • Understanding different scales
  • Arranging instruments for solos, duets, rounds, and ensembles
  • Ear training lessons
  • Instruments specific music arrangements


FAMPCD - Fresh Approach to Mallet Percussion
Author: Mark Wessels
Published at: 01/01/2011
ISBN: 0971478422

This is a small but very effective book for learning mallet percussion. With the logical structure provided in this book, you will develop your music reading skills and techniques on the keyboard percussion.

What You'll Learn From This Book:

  • Playing all keyboard percussions instruments
  • Improving music reading skills
  • Music theory lessons
  • Basic instructions for timpani playing
  • Playing solos with timpani


W32PR - Foundations for Superior Performance: Warm-ups and Technique for Band: Percussion
Author: Richard Williams,Jeff King
Published at: 30/06/1997
ISBN: 0849770157

Foundations for Superior Performance are a suitable book for learners of any age. This book offers flexibility and options to fit any of your band situations.

What You'll Learn From This Book:

  • Chorales and tuning in the eight major band keys
  • Techniques for major and minor scales for all 12 keys
  • Understanding tone productions
  • Greater flexibility and endurance
  • Improving individual and ensemble listening skills
  • Knowledge of basic music theory
  • Playing mallets, snare drum, auxiliary percussion, and timpani


Essential Technique 2000: Percussion
Author: Hal Leonard Corporation
Published at: 01/10/2002
ISBN: 0634044230

This is an excellent technique building book for individual and small group study. This guide will help you to develop your skills in playing any percussion instruments.

What You'll Learn From This Book:

  • Working with the key centered systems including all 9 major and related minor keys
  • Knowledge of scales and etudes
  • Short and full chorales for individual music instruments
  • Music technique skills
  • Improvisation of Jazz styles
  • Rubank scales and arpeggios
  • Developing your music reading skills


Accent on Achievement, Bk 2: Percussion---Snare Drum, Bass Drum & Accessories, Book & CD
Author: John O'Reilly,Mark Williams
Published at: 01/06/1998
ISBN: 0739004778

This is the second book of Accent of Achievement book series. If you have completed reading the first book then you should follow this book to continue your development in the rest of the percussion instruments.

What You'll Learn From This Book:

  • Improving the tone quality of your music
  • Proper intonation
  • Developing good rhythm
  • Increasing your music listening skills
  • Understanding rudiments
  • 11 unique full band arrangements
  • Developing a good music reading skill


W22PR - Standard of Excellence Book 2 - Drums and Mallet Percussion (Standard of Excellence - Comprehensive Band Method)
Author: Bruce Pearson
Published at: 30/06/1993
ISBN: 0849759706

Standard of Excellence Book follows a strong performance-centered approach that is very helpful for developing your skills quickly. With this comprehensive guide, you can increase your knowledge of music theory, listening skills, and ear training.

What You'll Learn From This Book:

  • A solid foundation for the full band setting
  • Three unique starting systems
  • Understanding electric bass system
  • Enforcing your performance basics
  • Developing multicultural knowledge
  • Improving your listening skills
  • Basic playing techniques for timpani and Auxiliary Percussion


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