Graded Music for Snare Drum – Book 1,

by Kevin Hathway & Ian Wright

Graded Music for Snare Drum - Book 1 - by Kevin Hathway & Ian Wright
Graded Music for Snare Drum – Book 1 – by Kevin Hathway & Ian Wright

First off, this book is very short. it is less then 20 pages long. So at first, the price will immediately turn you off. The price of the book is typically over $15. However, when it comes to learning how to read and actually succeeding in learning how to play the drums then the $15 is well worth it. However, I do believe that the book should be priced a little cheaper, only because the number of pages and amount of ink does not justify the price.

However, the value of the book is not based on the paper and ink alone. This book was actually my second book that I read from when I was learning the drums myself and now when I am teaching drums. I always make this their second book. It plays a pretty important role.

You see, after you play “Elementary Drum Method” by Roy Burns this book is a great bridge of relief. The book is great for recapping everything that you learned from the Elementary Book. It offers a kind of feeling of success by going through the book so fast because it is so short. It helps you psychologically feel completed. You will notice that the book is very easy and graceful to complete. Which is a great feeling after going through the book before.

I also vividly remember getting really good at reading 2/4 time signatures by the end of the book. I also serves as a great warm up book throughout the whole beginner stage. If this will actually be your second after covering a “full” elementary book; like the Roy Burns book, then;”go for it” and get this book. However, if you have already played a few books and you have the beginner level covered pretty well, then don’t get the book. You will be wasting your money on the book. The book is pretty easy and, in my eyes, only serves one purpose as being a crutch or a bridge to finally play something easier and to get a breath of fresh air.

I notice that the rest of the series feels like a money grab! I usually don’t like talking badly about drum books, because I know that it takes a lot of work to write these books. But there is a whole series of these books and all of the information spanned across many (very short) volumes. All of these short volumes priced at over $15 a book are typically covered in a well rounded beginner book like the Roy Burn Elementary Drum Method. A Roy Burns book which is “huge” in size is about $15; only to gain the same information from this series, you would have to pay over $120. This particular book is the only one that I suggest, only for the purpose of being the second book and nothing more.

Inside this book

  • It covers 2/4 time signature really well
  • 3/4 time signature
  • 4/4 time signature
  • Flams
  • Drags
  • 1/4 notes 1/8th notes and 16th notes
  • And that is just about everything

Quick Takeaway about this book

This book is great for just flying through it and feeling good that you learned so much from the book before. Also for Warm ups. Don’t get the book if you have already read a few books already. Otherwise, you will be wasting your money.

Snare Drum – Grades 1-2
Grades 1-2. Composed by Hathway. Percussion. ABRSM Exam Pieces. Sheet Music. 20 pages. ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) #9781854724441. Published by ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) (A3.9781854724441).

Item Number: A3.9781854724441

ISBN 9781854724441. 9 x 12 inches.

Contains all the set pieces exercises and specimen sight-reading tests for the Snare Drum examinations Grades 1 & 2.

Product details

  • Paperback: 20 pages
  • Publisher: Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (July 5, 1990)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1854724444
  • ISBN-13: 978-1854724441
look inside Graded Music for Snare Drum, Book I Grades 1-2. Composed by Hathway. Percussion. ABRSM Exam Pieces. Sheet Music. 20 pages. ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) #9781854724441. Published by ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) (A3.9781854724441).

This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. Mixblony

    hi guys :). I am looking for help for me and my girl. i am from France

  2. Lavonne

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I truly appreciate your efforts and I am
    waiting for your next post thanks once again.

  3. Mixblony

    Thank you very much for the invitation :). Best wishes.
    PS: How are you?

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