Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Quality and Design
- Ease of Use
- Sound and Performance
- Durability
- Value for Money
- Features
- Pros
- Cons
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Introduction
If you’ve ever dreamed of rocking out on the drums and being the heartbeat of a band, “Rock Drumming For Beginners” by Serkan Suer is a resource that can help you bring your musical aspirations to life.
This comprehensive guide is tailored specifically for aspiring drummers who are starting their journey with little to no prior experience. Whether you’ve never touched a drumstick before or have tried drumming on your own, this book provides a step-by-step approach to mastering the art of rock drumming.
However, as always, I would suggest the drummer gain a solid foundation of the basic beats before tackling this book. It isn’t an absolute prerequisite, but I do recommend it. Mainly because it starts off well and then begins to build in complexity pretty quickly.
That being said, it is far more approachable than many of the beginner books on the market today. It will just need some focused practice to take each step only when you are ready.
Meaning of course that you become fluent with exercise one before attempting exercise two, as it begins to get a little complex for the complete beginner, about 4 pages in. So there’s not a lot of wiggle room for the complete beginner.
I know I keep banging my own drum but before I began writing the foundation Series, beginning with the Rock Drumming Foundation, I did my research and realized that most books get too complex too soon.
You could say this is a perspective issue, and maybe it is, but I did project my thoughts to look at other books from various perspectives so am quite confident in my assertions.
That isn’t to say other books are not as good as my own. It just means that their value lies elsewhere. I believe that is in the reading drum music area of study.
Most books that claim to be for the beginner are really for the beginner who already plays drums but wants to learn to read drumming music.
Then, “most books”, and this one is the best of those books, come into their own. From that perspective, this is a fantastic book.
Quality and Design
“Rock Drumming For Beginners” features a high-quality design that enhances the overall learning experience. The book is professionally laid out with clear and easy-to-read fonts, making it accessible for drummers of all ages.
The inclusion of clear, concise instruction not only breaks up the array of developing exercises but also very brilliantly takes you on a musical journey through the concepts being taught. The book’s sturdy construction ensures that it can withstand frequent use and can be carried around without damage.
However, many mass produces books do lack a certain something when you put them side by side with books from the 70s, 80s, and even the 90s and you begin to see the lack of quality. But as sad as it may appear, most books since the 70s have declined somewhat in quality. This is especially true of the cover.
But again, this book is still good quality and should not be judged alongside earlier books. The same is true for 99% of books on the market today. But I mention it here because the content is so good, that a higher quality cover and paper would have been nice, so I could keep this book in tip-top condition for many years to come.
But again, it is still good quality. It’s a shame that mass production takes from the quality of most books today. And, it will still last many years to come. I just thought a mention should be made especially because the content is so good in this case.
The learning and practice processes presented through these exercises are very practical and will not disappoint many drummers.
Ease of Use
As mentioned above, one of the book’s standout features is its user-friendly approach. Serkan Suer presents the material in a logical and progressive manner, ensuring that beginners can follow along effortlessly. Each chapter builds upon the previous one, allowing readers to master foundational concepts before moving on to more advanced techniques.
Additionally, the book’s clear language and concise explanations make it easy for beginners to grasp the more complex drumming concepts without feeling overwhelmed.
Exercise Demonstrations
A crucial aspect of any drumming guide is its ability to help drummers produce great results effectively. “Rock Drumming For Beginners” excels in this area by providing detailed guidance on proper drumming techniques and tips for achieving optimal results. As well as high-quality, well-organized audio demonstrations of each exercise.
The book emphasizes the importance of timing, rhythm, and dynamics, allowing readers to develop a solid foundation of drumming skills that will enhance their learning experience.
Content
The book’s complete program was designed to give the beginner a good foundation in rock drumming skills. And I believe they did a great job achieving that, and more.
As for the actual content, without giving too much away, here’s what the publisher has to say about the content:
Master the Essential Rhythms and Rudiments you need as you Learn to Play Drums
- Master Every Essential Rock Drum Rhythm
- Develop Speed, Control Power, and Timing
- Effortlessly Combine Rudiments and Essential Techniques
- Learn the Most Important Rock Drum Styles for Beginners
- Discover Ride Patterns, Beats, Fills, and More…
- Learn Rolls, Paradiddles, Dynamics, Double Bass Drum Technique, and Odd Times
- Learn with tablature, notation, and hundreds of audio examples
- Rock Drumming for Beginners
Rock Drumming for Beginners is the perfect way to master rock drumming.
Starting with 1/8th note ride patterns, snare and bass drum variations, and essential rudiments, Rock Drumming for Beginners guides you on an exciting journey through every stage of playing rock drums.
Early on you will learn about backbeats, hi-hat patterns, double-stroke rolls, paradiddles, groove variations, and 1/8th note fills. These are the building blocks of every common rhythm in rock drums and they are presented in an easily accessible and logical progression.
Next, you will discover 1/16th note drum rudiments, the ‘alternate hands technique’, ghost notes, and flams and learn to combine them into exciting, creative patterns of your own. Throughout, the emphasis is on creativity and building solid timing.
In the next section, the basics of triplet and shuffle grooves with both 1/8th and 1/16th notes are covered and plenty of example patterns, variations, and fills are taught. Also included is a detailed look at the root of all rock drumming: The Blues.
As your skills develop, you will begin to tackle dynamics, double bass drum technique and even get to grips with odd times, like 5/4 and 7/4.
Each technique and approach is combined into musical examples that give a real insight into the approach of the best rock drummers in the world and put you on the way to developing your own unique style.
Well, doesn’t that sound pretty great? Of course, it does, and I hope now you see the great value in this book. It quite literally has everything for the beginner.
But I stick to what I said about it getting too complex for the complete beginner too soon.
But as I also mentioned earlier, most books tend to do that. This book just does it better than most.
Durability
The durability of a book is an important consideration, especially for a guide that may be used frequently during practice sessions. “Rock Drumming For Beginners” is bound with high-quality materials, ensuring that it can withstand the wear and tear of daily use.
The durable binding allows the book to lay flat, making it easy for drummers to follow along while playing their drum kit.
And remember this book is still high quality despite what I said earlier.
Value for Money
For aspiring drummers, investing in a comprehensive guide like “Rock Drumming For Beginners” is a valuable decision. The book’s extensive content covers everything from basic drumming essentials to more advanced techniques, providing excellent value for the price.
By offering a wealth of knowledge and practical exercises, this guide equips drummers with the tools they need to progress in their musical journey. Then when you consider the many audio demonstrations, you simply can’t go wrong with this book. Every drummer should have a copy, not just complete beginners.
As we all know, those synapses work more efficiently when we repeat what we may already know, in a different way.
Features
“Rock Drumming For Beginners” comes equipped with various features that enhance the learning experience. Some notable features include:
- Online Resources: The book offers access to online resources such as audio examples, which can further support learning and reinforce the concepts presented in the book.
- Practice Exercises: Throughout the book, readers will find a wide range of practice exercises that allow them to apply the concepts they’ve learned and track their progress.
Pros
- Comprehensive guide suitable for beginners to intermediate drummers.
- Clear and easy-to-understand language, making it accessible for all readers.
- Structured learning path with progressive exercises to build drumming skills effectively.
- Emphasis on proper techniques, timing, and dynamics for better sound and performance.
- Durable binding and quality materials ensure the book can withstand frequent use.
Cons
- Some readers may prefer accompanying video resources to complement the text-based instruction and written exercises.
- Although the book covers different rock subgenres, some readers may desire more extensive coverage of specific styles.
Conclusion: Unleash Your Inner Rock Drummer
In conclusion, “Rock Drumming For Beginners” by Serkan Suer is an outstanding resource that caters to aspiring drummers seeking to embark on their musical journey.
With its user-friendly design, comprehensive content, and emphasis on proper techniques, this guide sets readers on the path to becoming skilled rock drummers.
The book’s quality, durability, and value for money make it a worthy investment for anyone passionate about drumming. So go ahead and unleash your inner rock drummer, as this guide will support you every step of the way.
FAQ
Question 1: Is this book suitable for complete beginners who have never played the drums before?
Answer: Absolutely! “Rock Drumming For Beginners” is tailored specifically for beginners with little to no prior drumming experience. It provides a step-by-step approach to help beginners build their drumming skills from scratch. But see me previous remarks for more clarification and my own beliefs about most beginner books.
Question 2: Does the book cover other music genres besides rock?
Answer: While the focus of the book is on rock drumming, the foundational techniques and principles covered are applicable to various music genres.
Drumming fundamentals such as timing, rhythm, and coordination are essential across all styles of drumming. Rock and Jazz are just two oversimplified titles for drumming styles used in most genres.
Question 3: Is this book sufficient for self-learning, or would it be beneficial to take lessons from a drumming teacher?
Answer: “Rock Drumming For Beginners” is designed for self-learning and provides detailed instructions and exercises for independent practice. However, taking lessons from a drumming teacher can offer personalized feedback and guidance, which can accelerate the learning process.
Running private one-on-one lessons alongside a specific pre-planned drumming program or course is a powerful combination for increased drumming progress and development.
Question 4: Does the book come with online resources, such as video tutorials or audio examples?
Answer: As of the publication date of this review, specific online resources accompanying the book may vary. It is recommended to check the book’s official website or the publisher’s website for additional resources that may be available.
However, the book does include over 200 exercise demonstration audios at no extra cost.
Question 5: Are there age recommendations for using this book?
Answer: The book is suitable for drummers of all ages, including teenagers and adults. Younger learners may require some guidance from parents or teachers, especially when setting up the drum kit and understanding complex concepts.
