Hal Leonard Releases
Syncopation Etudes for Snare Drum
For some beginning drummers, mastering the skill of reading basic syncopation is often difficult, and moving into a more advanced level of reading can be even more challenging. Joel Rothman looks to help drummers overcome any problem in this area through his latest book, Syncopation Etudes for Snare Drum, now available from Hal Leonard.
In this unique book, Rothman includes an extensive array of etudes featuring not only quarter and eighth note syncopation, but also eighth and sixteenth note syncopation, as well as syncopated triplets. Directed at intermediate to advanced players, the etudes are presented in 2/4, 3/4, 5/4, 7/4, 3/8, and 5/8 time. Dynamics are included, but used sparsely, allowing drummers to focus on reading the patterns of syncopated rhythm without too much distraction.
Aside from reading the exercises exactly as notated, Rothman encourages players to experiment with the etudes by using them to develop coordination skills. For instance, one possibility for readers is to keep a steady jazz or rock beat on the cymbal with one hand, while playing the rhythm in the etude with the other hand on the snare or divided between the snare and bass. There are numerous other fun, creative ways to use the etudes for developing coordination. There is no book quite like this on the market, making it a must in the library of any serious drummer.
Joel Rothman is a renowned author, drummer/percussionist, and music teacher. Writing and publishing books for over 60 years, Rothman’s close to 100 books cover every aspect of the instrument. Each book presents a clear and logical progression of ideas, making it easy for players at every level to learn.
