Endorsements & Reviews

“Today’s standard for percussion education method books have all been written by Gar Whaley. Gar’s books are a must have for every drummer’s or percussionist’s library.”
- Michael Balter


5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing book, Beginners start here!!!
If your looking to start a music career or anything related to music, start with this book. I have taught people with no experience what's so ever in music with this book, and they've so far been very successful in music. As music teacher with over 30 years of experience I highly recommend this book. One of the best books to teach any instrument you want to play. Learning rhythm is the fundamental step one of any music instrument. I give this book five stars! Great production, I've doing nothing like so far. Pick up a metronome while your at it and you'll be ready to go!
- Amazon Book Review


“Gar Whaley’s percussion books have been instrumental in training generations of percussion students as competent musicians. What a gift to the percussion world!”
- Anthony Cirone


“All in all, this is a progressive approach that will help develop the playing skills of drummers new to the band world.”
- The Instrumentalist


“Having known Garwood Whaley for well over 40 years, I can attest to his expertise in all aspects of percussion. His legacy of work will surely endure for years to come.”
- William Platt


5.0 out of 5 stars Goes beyond just improving rhythm This book does what it claims, but goes well beyond that for some of us. I purchased it on the recommendation of a friend because I have poor sight-reading skills and he said it would improve them. It not only did, but improved my skills on my own instrument as well.
- Amazon Book Review


“All of us in the percussion community have benefitted from the superb work of Dr. Gar Whaley. He has authored, edited and published some of the finest percussion texts available.”
- Neil Grover


“Equally suitable for private or class instruction, the method introduces a new musical element (e.g., tempo markings, dynamics, ornaments) on every page but leaves its implementation to the teacher’s discretion for maximum instructional flexibility.”
- Percussive Notes


“Here are the ‘recipes’ for all percussion training. Use them well, knowing that they are conceived with great wisdom”
- Vic Firth


5.0 out of 5 stars You'll Be Clapping Your Hands... Mr. Whaley's Done It Again! The late, great, drumset instructor, Charlie Perry first introduced me to one of Garwood Whaley's fine method books some years ago, and I'm thankful he did. This one from his catalog does a great job - in 9 units over 47 pages - of fulfilling its stated purpose: it clearly and systematically presents the fundamentals necessary for rhythm to be understood as written, and then accurately performed . . .
- Amazon Book Review


“Garwood Whaley’s percussion method books are truly outstanding! His percussion method books have inspired a generation of percussionists.”
- Mark Ford


“…provides an organized, systematic approach to reading and understanding rhythm for the beginning drummer/percussionist….offers a comprehensive approach to rhythm reading and musical drumming for both educators and private instructors.”
- SBO & School Band and Orchestra


“Throughout my teaching career, I find myself coming back to Gar’s books time and time again because they work. His approach to pedagogy is original and well designed.”
- James Campbell


“I’ve used Gar’s books as long as I’ve been teaching. They are concise, comprehensive, creative and challenging. I know that they’ve made a positive impact in percussion education and will continue to do so.”
- Steve Houghton