On the Beaten Path: Beginning Drumset Course, Level 1: Drumset Book, CD, & DVD

Lackowski anchors every lesson in actual drumming from artists who defined rock music. Your students learn grip, technique, and music theory through the same beats that made these songs memorable, which means they're motivated by music they already care about from day one.

Rock, modern, and driven. You're not learning from exercises that sound like exercises; you're learning the exact grooves that powered iconic records. The progression builds momentum naturally, moving from foundational technique through recognizable beats that feel satisfying to play almost immediately.

Beginning drummers of any age who want a structured entry into drumset playing. This course works equally well for middle school students starting band, high school players picking up drums independently, or adults returning to music.

• Watch the DVD alongside each lesson in the book. Seeing hand position, foot technique, and the full kit in motion clarifies what the notation alone cannot convey.
• Play along with the included CD to internalize the pocket and feel of each beat. Match the tempo exactly before you try to add variation.
• Practice the stick control exercises (flams, drags, one- and two-handed patterns) separately before applying them to full beats. These techniques anchor everything that follows.
• Set up your kit according to the guidance in the book, then adjust seat height and distance so you can reach the bass drum pedal comfortably without hunching.

Assign this to drummers joining jazz or rock ensembles who need to catch up on basic kit technique and reading. It also works as a summer preparation resource for students about to audition for middle school band, or as the core curriculum for a dedicated beginning drumset elective.

• Reading drum notation and understanding kit layout
• Grip, hand position, and stroke technique for matched and traditional grip
• Bass drum pedal control and foot technique
• Flams, drags, and single- and double-stroke rolls
• Open and closed hi-hat patterns and cymbal control
• Playing authentic rock beats from legendary drummers
• Coordination between hands and feet on independent patterns
• Drumset setup, tuning, and hardware knowledge