Alfred's Teach Yourself to Play Drums Book & Online Video/Audio

In all my years of playing music, I have yet to pick up drums. However, after examining this course, I feel fairly certain that someone who sticks with this program would definitely be able to teach themselves (I learned a few things myself!). The modern drum kit is a rather daunting instrument, from the different sizes and shapes to tuning methods, to even how to hold a drumstick. However, if a student is willing to face that steep learning curve, this would be a great way to learn.

A CD and a DVD accompany the book. The DVD is extremely detailed and walks you through almost every step of the book, making it a great visual education for the "learn-by-seeing types. It's like having a drum teacher right there with you! The book will teach you how to read all the included drum sheet music, starting with the most basic beats on one drum, all the way until you can play the entire kit in a variety of styles including rock, jazz, funk, country, metal, Latin, and more. I really enjoyed that the practice songs in the latter half of the book which sounded like some of the rock classics you might hear on the oldies station. These songs are beneficial because students can see how the techniques they have learned are actually music rather than just endless drills in a book. A fact which can be very frustrating for an older student or avid music fan. While younger students may need parent assistance, this surprisingly complete program is great for older students and adults alike. 92 softcover pages. Laura