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About [A]tudes

As percussionists, we have no shortage of method and etude books covering every aspect and style of snare drumming. These texts not only exist in quantity but also in quality. Over time, many of these styles and approaches have begun to converge, and the lines separating concepts such as “rudimental drumming vs concert drumming” have become blurred for the better, and modern snare drum literature has become a melting pot of various styles. 

The twenty-six etudes found within this book are approximately one minute in length. While brief, these studies are designed to be rhythmically dense and technically intricate, demanding the performer’s hands and mind stay fully engaged for the duration of each etude. 

Each of these twenty-six etudes is associated with a corresponding letter of the English alphabet. This alphabetical system can be used in several ways if the performer so wishes:

1. Playing the performer’s initials (Bryan Caleb Pickering = Etudes B C P)

2. Playing words, while skipping over doubled letters (Coffee = C O F E)

3. Design your own!

Some general notes on interpretation:

1. Rolls should be closed/buzzed except where indicated.

2. Embellishments should enhance the primary note they precede. They should not displace where the primary note occurs.

3. In this system of notation, tenuto markings (-) over notes indicate an emphasis; louder than a normal note, but not an accent in the traditional sense.

4. These etudes are designed to be played with finesse, not strength. Everything should flow.

The following sources were highly influential in the creation of this text and are suggested for additional study:

9 French-American Rudimental Solos Vol. 1-3 — Joseph Tompkins

14 Modern Contest Solos — John S. Pratt

Douze Études for Snare Drum — Jacques Delécluse

Le Tambour Technique Supérieure — Guy Lefèvre