Technic Today, Part 3: Drum Book

Ployhar designed this book to strengthen the very skills your drummers need most at the intermediate stage: consistent fundamental technique applied across musical contexts. Because it mirrors the repertoire and progression of Band Today, Part Three, students see immediate payoff when they apply these studies to the pieces they're actually performing in rehearsal.

Straightforward and purposeful. Ployhar strips away unnecessary complexity to focus on the mechanical and musical foundations that drummers must internalize before tackling more sophisticated ensemble demands.

Drumset players in advanced-intermediate concert bands who are using Band Today, Part Three or any comparable curriculum at that level. Percussionists who need systematic, focused work on technical consistency alongside their ensemble repertoire will find this book directly addresses the skills their directors expect.

• Build grip strength and stick control deliberately through the stickwork exercises; these aren't meant to be rushed through but rather practiced at multiple tempos so students own the fundamentals before applying them musically.
• Isolate any rhythmic patterns that feel awkward when first introduced, then layer them back into full ensemble context once students demonstrate secure hand-foot coordination.
• Maintain consistent mallet selection and height throughout a study session so students develop muscle memory rather than adjusting technique from page to page.

Assign studies from Technic Today alongside the corresponding pieces from Band Today, Part Three so drummers can isolate and master the technical challenges they'll encounter in your rehearsals. Use this as your primary percussion supplement throughout the year to ensure steady progress without pulling drumset players away from ensemble work.

• Grip fundamentals and stick control on snare drum
• Bass drum and cymbal technique and coordination
• Reading rhythm patterns common to intermediate band repertoire
• Hand-foot independence and coordination
• Executing stickwork patterns at variable tempos
• Building consistent tone and attack across the drumset