8 Drums Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

What started as Rich Redmond's journey moving to Nashville with little more than his drums and a vision became a detailed insider’s guide to the country music industry. You’ll discover concrete lessons on the skills needed to thrive, from musical versatility to networking in key music hubs like Nashville and Austin. The book shares candid stories from Rich’s twenty-five years on the road and insight from other industry pros, shedding light on the often opaque workings behind the scenes. If you want a grounded understanding of how to build a career in country music, this book lays out what to expect and how to prepare — but it’s best suited for those serious about navigating the industry’s unique challenges.

Drawing from his firsthand experience as the Ramones' drummer, Marky Ramone offers an unvarnished look at the band's rise and the punk scene's raw energy. You’ll gain insight into the distinctive "blitzkrieg" drumming style that defined punk rhythms, alongside candid reflections on his personal battles with addiction and the band's internal struggles. The book details key moments like the making of "I Wanna Be Sedated" and the impact of the cult film Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, giving you a window into punk’s cultural upheaval. If you want a blend of music history and the human story behind one of punk’s most influential bands, this is a fitting read.

This tailored book explores comprehensive drumming techniques with a focus that matches your unique skill level and personal goals. It covers foundational rhythms, hand and foot coordination, advanced beat patterns, and stylistic nuances drawn from diverse genres. By addressing your specific interests, it delves into rhythm development, limb independence, and improvisation, providing a learning experience that feels both accessible and inspiring. The content is crafted to bridge expert knowledge with your own background, offering a personalized pathway through complex drumming methods. This approach ensures that you engage deeply with the material that matters most to your musical growth, making practice both efficient and rewarding.

Jim Berkenstadt draws from extensive archival research and eyewitness interviews to unveil the enigmatic story of Jimmie Nicol, the little-known drummer who stepped in for Ringo Starr during The Beatles' 1964 world tour. You’ll gain insight into Nicol’s brief but intense experience with the band, including behind-the-scenes accounts and the darker aftermath involving blacklisting and personal struggles. This book suits anyone fascinated by music history, drumming lore, or the complex realities behind rock stardom, offering a rare glimpse into a story often overshadowed by The Beatles' lasting fame.

Drawing from his extensive experience as a music educator and percussion specialist, Mark Wessels offers a fresh perspective on drumming that goes beyond basic beats. You’ll explore practical techniques such as hand and foot coordination, reading music, and song construction, with focused chapters on rock, R&B, jazz, and Latin styles. For example, the sections on independence between limbs provide clear exercises that challenge conventional drumming methods. This book suits those who want to deepen their technical skills and musical understanding rather than just memorize patterns.

Rod Morgenstein draws on decades of professional drumming and teaching experience to offer a fresh approach to drum set warm-ups that goes beyond traditional practice pads. In this book, you learn exercises specifically crafted to enhance speed, power, control, and coordination across the entire body, not just the hands. Morgenstein’s method also emphasizes endurance and independence, giving you practical tools to tackle complex rhythms with confidence. Whether you’re a student or an experienced drummer, the detailed warm-up routines in chapters focusing on agility and accuracy provide targeted ways to elevate your technical command on the drum set.

This tailored book delves into focused daily exercises designed to enhance drum timing and limb independence, providing a personalized learning journey that matches your unique background and goals. It explores rhythmic concepts, coordination drills, and progressive challenges that build your ability to maintain steady tempo and execute complex patterns with ease. By concentrating on your specific interests, this book offers a step-by-step pathway that advances your drumming precision and fluidity. With its tailored approach, it bridges expert knowledge and individual needs, making the process of mastering rhythm accessible and engaging. This book reveals how consistent practice rooted in personalized content fosters deeper skill development and rhythmic confidence.

Unlike most drum instruction books that focus broadly on technique, Ted Reed zeroes in on syncopation, offering a targeted approach that has shaped drumming pedagogy for decades. You'll find exercises that challenge your sense of rhythm with accented eighths, dotted notes, and complex triplets, building both your reading skills and creative soloing ability. For example, the book’s progression through accented sixteenths and eighth-note triplets equips you to handle intricate rhythmic patterns confidently. This book is ideal if you're serious about mastering syncopation and enhancing your versatility behind the kit, whether you’re a teacher designing lessons or a player refining your groove.

Drawing from his intense experiences as a renowned drummer and survivor, Travis Barker offers a memoir that goes beyond music to explore resilience and personal transformation. You’ll gain intimate insights into his journey through addiction, fame, tragedy, and recovery, including the harrowing plane crash that nearly ended his life. The book vividly captures how music, particularly drumming, served as a lifeline and creative outlet throughout his struggles. If you’re interested in the human story behind a musician’s public persona or want to understand the intersection of art and survival, this memoir delivers an unvarnished look at both.

Joel Selvin draws on decades of music journalism to trace the rise and fall of Jim Gordon, arguably rock's most technically gifted drummer. You’ll explore Gordon's revolutionary drumming techniques, including his renowned 'big fill,' alongside the intense pressures that led to his tragic mental decline. The book offers a rare combination of music history and psychological insight, weaving detailed accounts of sessions with legends like John Lennon and Eric Clapton. This narrative suits anyone interested in the crossroads of musical genius and human fragility, going beyond technique to the story behind the rhythms.