For My Drum Students in Harrow, London
Reading List: Essential Drum Texts
The syllabus books that form the bedrock of becoming an accomplished drummer
Whichever exam board you're working towards, the official grade books are the single best investment you can make outside your lessons — they're what I teach from, and what you'll be examined on. Find your board and grade below.
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. West London Drum Tutor may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Trinity College London — Drum Kit
Trinity's syllabus (formerly Trinity Guildhall) spans jazz, funk, Latin and musical theatre pathways, Initial through Grade 8.
Trinity Rock & Pop — Drum Kit
A separate contemporary-focused syllabus from Trinity, geared towards rock and pop repertoire.
Rockschool — Drums
Published by Hal Leonard/RSL. Rockschool's arrangements span rock, metal, funk, jazz fusion and hip-hop, Debut through Grade 8.
ABRSM — Drum Kit
ABRSM's newest syllabus (launched 2024), assessed via Performance Grade video exams. Each book contains nine pieces spanning pop, funk, rock and hip-hop.
Classic Method Books
No exam board, no expiry date — these are the books nearly every great drummer has worked through at some point. If you own none of the syllabus books above, start here instead.
Stick Control
George Lawrence Stone. The most recommended drum book ever written — most drummers could spend a lifetime on the first three pages alone. Builds hand control, stickings and coordination for every style.
Syncopation (Progressive Steps to Syncopation)
Ted Reed. Voted second only to Stick Control on Modern Drummer's list of the 25 greatest drum books. A near-limitless source of reading, coordination and groove exercises — I use it constantly with students.
Master Studies
Joe Morello. Built from the variations Morello created on Stone's Stick Control patterns while studying with him. Accent studies, control studies and ostinatos — excellent for practice pad work.
The New Breed
Gary Chester. Written by a legendary New York session drummer, this book builds true four-way coordination through singable ostinatos layered over reading exercises.
4-Way Coordination
Marvin Dahlgren & Elliot Fine. The definitive method for developing full independence between hands and feet — a staple for drummers wanting to move beyond basic limb coordination.
Future Sounds
David Garibaldi. The essential text for funk drumming — stickings, accents and coordination exercises that will turn any drummer into a genuine funk machine.
The Art of Bop Drumming
John Riley. Considered by many the essential tool for understanding jazz and bebop drumming — the natural next step once you've worked through Syncopation and Stick Control.
Modern Reading Text in 4/4
Louie Bellson & Gil Breines. The natural follow-up once you've built a foundation in Syncopation — sight-reading and syncopated rhythm patterns used across every instrument, not just drums.
Drum Kit Magazines
Modern Drummer
The definitive monthly magazine for drummers — interviews, technique, gear reviews and transcriptions.