“An exceptionally practical, well-thought-out, and beautifully organized drum set syllabus. A must-reference for university percussion professors and their students!”
Michael Udow, Emeritus Professor, University of Michigan
“From one of the world’s most experienced and accomplished performers and educators comes Drum Set Simplified, a must-have study source for any college level percussionist (and younger) looking to develop practical drum set skills.
Kevin draws on his 32-plus years of symphonic pops experience to compile an all-in-one method book that also includes a 14-lesson syllabus that efficiently covers all the tools necessary for professional drum set performance. Whether you have ample time to take advantage of the entire book or have an audition or job opportunity approaching, this book is for you. Drum Set Simplified is so complete and absolutely fantastic!”
Danny and Beth Gottlieb, Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band
Danny Gottlieb, Professor, University of North Florida
“There are many drum set instruction books on the market. This one is different. Mr. Garry’s concepts, gleaned from many years of professional performance and from teaching many students at every level are quite simple. They are also clearly articulated both in language and high-quality graphic presentation making this text attractive and easy to follow. DSS is an extremely practical how-to-do-things-the-right-way guide. Mr. Garry also makes excellent suggestions as to what common mistakes beginning students should avoid in the process of learning efficiently. This means efficiency of motion, both in strokes and in getting around the kit and also posture. (This is so important for beginners, who often tend to develop habits that get in their own way!)
Numerous photos of how to set up the kit in order to accomplish ease of moving around it are included. Each chapter begins with a set of instructions and practical practice tips. There is a lot to play here, and a lot to absorb – there are twenty-one progressive chapters. Some chapters are collections of variations on a particular style. Others focus more on how to develop creativity and solidity. There is a great chapter on playing brushes that includes clear and imaginative graphic instructions in addition to step-by-step text to explain the moves. This is an extremely well-executed and eminently practical book.”
Dan C. Armstrong, Professor of Percussion Emeritus, Penn State University
“I wish this book had been available when I was learning how to play drum set. This intelligently organized method fills a void for students of all ages and should be in the backpack of every percussion student. The examples and exercises are clear, concise and will prepare students for playing in various ensembles and auditions. The assorted styles and style demo chapters will prove useful when preparing for auditions. I will be using Drum Set Simplified with my students to better prepare them for the marketplace.”
Tony Steve, Professor of Percussion, Jacksonville University
Drum Set Simplified 