What Not to Play!: Drumset Book & DVD

Seiwell cuts through the noise by teaching restraint and intentionality rather than flashiness. He deconstructs real recordings to show exactly why certain choices work, making this invaluable for drummers who are ready to stop thinking about what they can play and start thinking about what serves the music. The included DVD transforms abstract advice into tangible sound and sight.

Practical wisdom delivered without pretense. Seiwell's voice throughout is direct and grounded in real-world scenarios: the studio clock is running, the bandleader is waiting for your part, and you need to make a decision that serves the song. The DVD keeps the energy focused and visual, showing not just the concept but the person playing it.

Intermediate to advanced drummers who recognize that session and touring work demand more than technical facility. This is for players working on recordings or gigging with different bands who need to adapt quickly and think critically about their role in each musical situation.

• Study the vocal melody and chord progression before designing your drum part; the drums should complement, not compete with, what the song already has
• Use the deconstructed recordings as a model for listening. Isolate the drum track and ask yourself why Seiwell chose that particular figure or rest
• Practice the hand-waking exercises on the DVD regularly to build the technique required to execute cleaner, more intentional parts
• When interpreting a chart, consider the era and style cues first; these context clues often clarify whether a part needs to be busy or spacious

This works best as a private study resource or small-ensemble coaching tool rather than large-group instruction. Pair it with students preparing for session work, auditioning for touring bands, or arranging their own recordings. It complements standard drumset method books by shifting focus from solo technique to collaborative musicianship.

• Listening critically to recordings and identifying drum part choices
• Interpreting lead sheets and chord charts with stylistic awareness
• Adapting playing approach to different genres and tempos
• Sight-reading rhythmic notation in real-time contexts
• Developing hand coordination and control through targeted exercises
• Understanding the relationship between drums and other instruments in an arrangement