Belwin 21st Century Band Method, Level 1: Combined Percussion Book

A percussion book designed by someone who understands what actually works in the ensemble room. The sequencing respects how rhythm develops, the reinforcement is genuine rather than repetitive, and the strategic placement of "Songs Just for the Fun of It" reminds students why they wanted to play music in the first place. Most compelling: students can finish the entire level in one year, which means your percussion section stays engaged rather than grinding through a multi-year method that feels endless.

A method that balances work with play. The rhythm study is serious and thorough, but it's punctuated with folk tunes, popular melodies, and pieces written purely for enjoyment. Students progress through classical and traditional repertoire while discovering that percussion writing can be inventive and fun rather than purely functional.

Percussion students starting their first year in concert band who need clear, engaging instruction that moves at a realistic pace. This book works equally well for beginning drummers and multi-percussion students, with carefully scaffolded exercises that build independence on various instruments while reinforcing the fundamentals that keep the ensemble cohesive.

• Rotate through the duets and rounds regularly during rehearsal rather than saving them for special occasions; they reinforce ensemble listening and blend while keeping energy high.
• Use the included concert pieces as targets from day one, having percussionists hear full recordings or rehearsal sketches early so they understand how their parts fit into the bigger sound.
• Apply the theory exercises as short daily warm-ups rather than isolated lessons; five minutes of consistent work builds habits faster than occasional deep dives.
• Let students lead rhythm study sections by having them conduct or tap patterns for classmates, turning the carefully sequenced rhythm work into active problem-solving rather than passive instruction.

Use this as your core percussion curriculum for first-year band, moving through it in chronological order so that rhythmic concepts and technique build incrementally with your ensemble's overall musical development. The three complete concerts provide natural performance targets throughout the year and give your percussionists concrete milestones rather than abstract exercises. Pair the method with the accompanying conductor's score to align your full ensemble instruction with the National Standards and ensure your percussion section is learning skills that connect directly to your band's repertoire.

• Reading and executing basic rhythmic notation in simple and compound meters
• Independence on snare drum, bass drum, and mallet instruments
• Ensemble listening and blend within the percussion section
• Hand and foot coordination for complex rhythmic patterns
• Understanding of dynamic and articulation markings as they apply to percussion
• Sight-reading fluency through consistent exposure to new material
• Foundational music theory applied to percussion contexts