Book Reviews: The DIY Guide To Drums

The DIY Guide to Drums is, according to its own description, a ‘non-intimidating and playfully illustrated instruction book for the drum kit’. Before I received the book, the most resonant part of that description for me was ‘non-intimidating’. As someone who taught drum kit lessons for a number of years before moving into classroom teaching, I was intrigued as to how this would be achieved. I have tried a number of beginner books: most either bombard the player with technical exercises or skirt over some of the key questions that come with starting on drums. The DIY Guide to Drums manages to provide all the content beginners need while also staying light enough to maintain their interest.

The idiosyncratic illustrations really help set the tone for the book. They are detailed enough that they provide all the information needed but without the dry, Haynes-manual technicality often seen in similar texts. The size and shape of the book help too – it's a compact 22 × 14 cm with a chunky ring binding, which gives it an almost pocket-sized feel.

I was particularly impressed with the way that the author anticipates the huge array of questions that usually come from absolute beginners. We are 16 pages in before the reader picks up their sticks; 20 before they hit anything. The book is split into three simple sections: ‘Logistics’, ‘Rudiments’ (and other exercises) and ‘Beats & Fills’. The introduction sensibly recommends that the reader should read the entire logistics section before doing anything. In that section, the author discusses the names of the various parts of the kit, different types/styles of drumsticks, correct posture, ear protection and basic drum notation, all of which is presented with an unassuming level of detail. By the end of the chapter, any beginner drummer will be armed with all the essential knowledge they need to get started.

The light, yet comprehensive tone is continued throughout the following sections (I particularly liked the ‘Beyoncé buzz roll challenge’ – maintaining a consistent buzz roll throughout her rendition of the US national anthem). By the time a beginner has worked their way through the whole book they should have a good grasp of basic drum notation, reasonable technique and a good few grooves and fills under their belt.

This is a new and expanded edition of The DIY Guide to Drums that was first published in 2001, bound by hand by the author to sell on tour. The first machine-bound (4th) edition was published by buyolympia.com in 2008, M’Lady's Records in 2012, and Tom Tom Publications in 2017. The latest edition contains 40 pages of new content and 60 revised pages informed by the author's work as a private instructor at Revival Drum Shop in Portland, US.

I see this book as more of an aid to the self-directed learner than one to be used in lessons with an instrumental teacher. While there is obviously no substitute for face-to-face learning, this book get as close as I've seen with its friendly tone and quirky, yet precise, illustrations, not to mention the excellent downloadable audio resources. Drum kit can be an incredibly daunting instrument to tackle as a beginner, particularly if you're trying it without a tutor. The DIY Guide will make the whole process significantly less threatening.