George Lawrence Stone's Stick Control is the original classic, often called the bible of drumming. In 1993, Modern Drummer magazine named the book one of the top 25 books of all-time. In the words of the author, it is the ideal book for improving ""control, speed, flexibility, touch, rhythm, lightness, delicacy, power, endurance, preciseness of execution and muscular coordination,"" with extra attention given to the development of the weak hand. This indispensable book for drummers of all types includes hundreds of basic to advanced-level rhythms, moving through categories of single-beat combinations, triplets, short roll combinations, flam beats, flam triplets and dotted notes, and short roll progressions.
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George Lawrence Stone (born 1886 in South Boston, d. 1967) was best known as a percussionist, teacher, and author of percussion books including Stick Control for the Snare Drummer. Stone joined the musician's union at age 16 as its youngest member, and later played solo xylophone on the Keith Circuit. He also served as a regimental drummer, and played with several Boston area orchestras. In 1933 he was one of the founding members of NARD, the National Association of Rudimentary Drummers. For many years he also lectured, taught, and judged competitions. His books teach drum and xylophone technique, with Stick Control one of the all-time best sellers in this field. In 1997 he was added to the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 47 people found the following review helpful
By TheBassGuy
Format:Perfect Paperback
I had been playing about 15 years before I discovered this book and it's companion book "Accents and Rebounds". I had been gigging heavily, practicing hours and hours a day (mainly rock/fusion/funk), owned 20+ books, 15 or so videos, but somehow never owned a copy of these two books. These books are full of simple exercises I truly think anyone can do. After practicing just the few first pages of both books at different tempos and at different volume levels for a few weeks I noticed a drastic improvement in my playing skills. I mean it when I say drastic. I could play much faster than ever before, but more importantly I could play cleanly and effortlessly. By this I mean, that when I later improvised on the drum kit I could certainly play many things I couldn't just a month prior. This is after playing and practicing hard for 15 years! Studying these two books took me up a whole "notch" in just a month! Also things that gave me trouble before or were just played sloppily were now clean, tight, precise, with a much broader range of dynamics and accesnts and I could play them much faster if I wanted or needed to. While on paper these are basically exercises for just your hands, you can certainly do these patterns as written but with your feet. Or do the exercises as written with your hands but make up simple foot patterns to play at the same time (i.e. qtr note kicks with hat on 2 and 4, or play the hat on the "and's", etc. your imagination is the only limit). These two books are essential and I recommend them to any drummer at any level. They won't teach you how or what to play, but they will take your technique to higher and higher levels. It has allowed me to play what I hear in my mind on the spot, just the way I want it. This was roughly 5 years ago and I'm still incredibly thankful for Mr. Stone and these two books. Every drummer I meet I try to spread the word.
Best of luck, relax, and have fun!
Best of luck, relax, and have fun!
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By J. Christmas
Format:Perfect Paperback
This book reads as though it has hardly been changed from its original publication (I think in the 1930s); nonetheless it remains an invaluable tool for the drummer of any style and skill level. The exercises are isolated into short (four or eight measure) patterns so that each may be repeated to perfection. There are no ungainly "etudes", no corny written solos, and the exercises focus solely on control and sticking, not on style; therefore they may be applied to anything from orchestral percussion to jazz to rock.
Furthermore, the introduction is a dryly wonderful piece of writing; pragmatic, no-nonsense, economical prose imparting essential advice on practice. This book makes an ideal "workout" (emphasizing that "control" is the gateway to strength, endurance, coordination, and all else that drummers crave). Practice Stick Control daily, and meditate on the craft of drumming.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Perfect Paperback
Stick Control is one of the must have fundimental texts for the aquisition of superior drumming technique. All of the exercizes are simple in concept, but very challenging in terms of speed and control. No drummer with asperations to superior control and excellance of musical expression should be with out Stone's Stick Control.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Have
For drummers. I had this 15 years ago but it's been lost in the moves etc. Now that I am back playing an electronic set I am working with it daily!
Published 21 days ago by James D. Douglas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice book
I really like this book because it progresses at a good pace. Also each note has a stick designation which is very helpful.
Published 27 days ago by Ellen M Kuni
5.0 out of 5 stars
book review
My Son Is A Drummer And This Book Has Helped Him Tremendously With Playing Ability As Well As Stick Control.
Published 1 month ago by michele
5.0 out of 5 stars
awesome
If you are Drummer you must get this book. This is one of the Bibles of drumming. If you're taking drumming seriously, seriously get this book. Work through it slowly. Read more
Published 1 month ago by GuruMyStick
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just as it's know for
As it is known for, indispensable book to master every sticking you should need in the art of playing drums.
Published 1 month ago by Mandaeuli
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great product and experience
A simple yet powerful guide for drummers trying to improve their skills - a must have for your drumming repertoire
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Published 2 months ago by Ted Dougherty
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great tool for personal growth
This is a great book for a percussionist of any level. The exercises are simply conditioning for your brain and for your chops. Absolutely worth the money.
Published 3 months ago by Ryan Shanks
5.0 out of 5 stars
Required practice book for drummers
Many drum instructors mandate the use of this book for learning drum rhythms but many old hands at drumming still use it as well. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Bill Card
5.0 out of 5 stars
For the budding percussionist or seasoned professional
This is the standard by which other books are judged and written.
If you care about your craft (hobby or profession) you want to be a better drummer. Read more
If you care about your craft (hobby or profession) you want to be a better drummer. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Donald
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT METHOD
I love this book!
very effective, after one month of hard practice I could see some significant results.
Definitely recommend it
very effective, after one month of hard practice I could see some significant results.
Definitely recommend it
Published 5 months ago by chris
