Student Instrumental Course: Drum Student, Level II: Snare Drum Book

Feldstein's Level II snare drum book respects the intermediate drummer's growing technical capacity without overwhelming them with poorly contextualized rudiments. The progressive structure means students encounter new concepts when they're developmentally ready, and the correlated approach allows drummers to rehearse alongside their band peers rather than in isolation.

A methodical climb. Students experience steady incremental growth rather than sudden jumps in difficulty, with each new rudiment or rhythm pattern building logically from what came before. There's room for real musicianship to emerge as technical confidence grows.

Snare drummers who have completed Level I and are ready to deepen their foundational techniques while preparing to participate in full band arrangements. This book works equally well for individual studio study and as part of a coordinated class method curriculum where multiple instrumentalists progress at comparable rates.

• Build dynamic control by isolating single-stroke rolls at soft volumes before increasing speed; this develops muscle memory for control that translates to all rudiments.
• Use a metronome beginning at a comfortable tempo and increase incrementally (5-10 BPM at a time) only after executing passages cleanly and consistently.
• Practice alternating between snare and bass drum with intention; many students default to mechanical transitions rather than listening for musicality in the interaction between the two drums.

Use this as your primary snare drum resource during the second year of instruction, either in a full percussion section or as a companion to band rehearsals where ensemble reading begins. The correlated design means a drummer progressing through Level II can read basic rhythmic material appearing in beginner band scores without delay.

• Executing single-stroke rolls with controlled dynamics and consistent tempo
• Reading and performing double-stroke and triple-stroke roll patterns
• Coordinating snare and bass drum parts with independent hand and foot control
• Recognizing and performing fundamental drum notation and rhythmic figures
• Developing steady pulse and metronome accountability
• Playing with consistent tone quality across varying dynamic levels