It's About Time: Designed to Help Drummers Understand, Control, and Improve Their Sense of Time

This book cuts through vague feedback. Instead of telling students to 'play in the pocket' without explanation, Dinkins breaks down exactly what that means through concrete exercises and audio demonstrations from world-class drummers like Dennis Chambers and Harvey Mason. Your drummers will finally understand the difference between playing the notes and playing the music.

Methodical and clarifying. The book demystifies the language around time and feel that floats around music rooms, replacing it with specific, measurable concepts. Working through these exercises builds confidence because you can actually hear and feel your improvement.

Serious drummers who want to move beyond mechanical note-playing and develop the rhythmic sophistication that separates student players from working musicians. It's also valuable for band directors and percussion teachers who need concrete language and methods to address timing issues in ensemble rehearsals.

• Work through the exercises sequentially rather than jumping around. Each section builds on concepts from the previous one, and the progression matters for developing reliable internal time.
• Use the recorded demonstrations as listening models first, then as play-along tracks. Hear what 'on top of the beat' actually sounds like before trying to execute it yourself.
• Practice with a metronome alongside the audio accompaniments. This dual reference point trains your ear to lock independently while also connecting to the band's pocket.
• Record yourself playing the exercises weekly and compare against the provided examples. Self-assessment of your time placement is a skill that improves with repeated listening.

Assign this as individual study material for your section's drummers, particularly in preparation for jazz band or funk-inflected repertoire where pocket awareness directly impacts ensemble sound. The exercises also work well as part of a drum line or percussion studio curriculum focused on foundational timekeeping skills.

• Understanding beat placement (behind, on top of, and in the middle of the beat)
• Developing and strengthening internal pulse independent of external time references
• Playing with control in different pocket positions
• Identifying and correcting personal time-keeping habits
• Recognizing the difference between playing notes accurately and performing musically
• Refining drum fill placement and timing within ensemble contexts