Alfred Music Publishing Survival Guide Modern Drummer

Excellent book for students/working drummers with 2 CDs, 1st disc contains huge backing track library, included tempo change software and 2nd disc contains all the rhythm pattern examples.

Can be used to teach yourself or your students most of the rhythms used in 80-90% of all songs out there. For complete beginners would recommend to use with experienced teacher to explain execution details, e.g. swing/jazz specifics, latin rhythms, how it ties with music history or specific style, etc.

Perfect learning material for cover band drummers, will cover most situations encountered in daily gigging life - pop, blues, swing, motown, electronic, funk, fusion, rock, country, jazz, metal, odd-time signatures etc. (excluding oddly specific songs, of course). Every notation contains rhythm example number on the left and song track number on the right, easy to follow. Also each book section contains the music tracks breakdown at the end of the chapter, describing song structure, form type and comments.
Many rhythm variations explained with examples, describing when and how to use them.

PROS: By the time you finish learning everything contained in this book, it's value will have paid off many, many times over. You will know very solid BASICS, with enough VARIATION to build upon and develop your OWN STYLE further.
CONS: The book cover will start to wear and tear if you carry it around at all times in your backpack. Make sure to protect your book.