Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer

by Ted Reed

Voted second on Modern Drummer's list of 25 Greatest Drum Books in 1993, Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer is one of the most versatile and practical works ever written for drums. Created exclusively to address syncopation, it has earned its place as a standard tool for teaching beginning drummers syncopation and strengthening reading skills. This book includes many accented eighths, dotted eighths and sixteenths, eighth-note triplets and sixteenth notes for extended solos. In addition, teachers can develop many of their own examples from it.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Reference

64 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 1997

Reviews

[Brett C · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't beat these old school percussion theory books. This one focuses on syncopation, which is playing an accent on a weak beat. Or playing an accented beat on an unexpected beat. Syncopation almost creates illusions and adds dimension to the drums. The exercises in this book are great.

The exercises start out basic:

And gradually progress to more challenging.

One of my favorite drummers who really mastered syncopation was Stewart Copeland, the drummer for The Police back in the late 70s and early 80s. He created neat voicings in the drums to compliment the guitar of Andy Summers and bass of Sting. Another great example is Carter Beauford from Dave Matthews Band. He really takes drumming to another level!

In my opinion syncopation and using syncopation on the drum-set really takes your musicality to the next level and will set you apart from other drummers. It takes the noise out of it and you start making music. Anyways, highly recommended to any percussionist at any level of ability. Thanks!

[Ettore Pasquini · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is divided in two parts: note reading exercises and then actual syncopation. The first part just introduces you to basic figures up to 8th-notes triplets and 16th notes. The second part is the real core of the book. As a beginner drummer I found the syncopation exercises useful to get my first exposure to accented notes. Accented 8th, dotted 8th, 16th, 8th triplets are covered at length. Mixed sticking is also covered. I feel like all of this made me grow a lot and gave me more confidence even when playing simpler patterns. The best part is that many of the syncopated patterns proposed here are actually very musical, and not just mere assignments. That's a very nice bonus and definitely made the task more interesting and stimulating.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been great for me as a beginning drummer. I got my drum set 2 months ago and I already feel pretty comfortable reading the sheet music, playing with 3 limbs (so far) and playing with tempo. This book moves through exercises in a way that is approachable and doable so you don't ever feel like you're working on something impossible.

Marked this book as read but I'll probably be using it for years.

[Anders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another standard text for all drummers. I've played this book cover to cover on the snare drum, but it continues to be useful as the exercises can be applied in myriad ways. The exercises might be applied to the drum set by playing them on any limb and/or applying them independently while a base rhythm is played.

[Luc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very popular book in the drummer's world. This book is excellent for the jazz musician. The teaching is to play any pattern by spreading the notation around the drum set. It's the book of a thousand songs.

[Jenn]

How do I know if I'm modern or not?!

[Maxwell]

Thank you, Ted Reed.

[Nicholas Welp · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only book I read every day, primarily exercises 1-7 pages 41-48 (or so, depending on the edition). I apply the Alan Dawson method as documented in the Alan Dawson Method, another great drumming book.

[Andrew Carberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential

[Harry Joiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I didn't get it.

At first I didn't understand how to use this book. Just glancing at the pages, I was like "why would anybody write a book like that? And why would anyone buy it?" Then a friend showed me how to use it – and later I immersed myself in the subculture of YouTube drummers who have developed endless ways to mash up these exercises. No drummer should be without this one.

[Phillip · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is one of the essential practice routines for drummers. lots of good exercises. a valuable tool for percussionists.

[Gadyto Toledo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superrr!. El Mejor

[BLT · Rating 5 out of 5]

BLT gestures to every drum book. "I've read every pattern in all these." Then, to Progressive Steps. "This book is just apeshit. I don't even wanna talk about it."

[Notsunil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helps you with syncopated grooves. Makes your music more interesting!