Define 'Theory'

[cwignall]

If someone (like me) wants to read books in between practice sessions to learn more about the theory side of drums to help his playing, how would you define what it is he wants to read about?

I mean 1 part of theory is the music notation, what symbals and notes mean etc - therefore i am studying and trying to memorise all the pieces from drum grades 1 - 8.

But these are simply music pieces.

I think im looking for something that inspires me or gives me an insight into the deeper workings, consepts & meaning behind drums and drummers.
Things that i can read and apply.

Any ideas what im asking? hard to explain! - not want to know about particular peices, just how to play better maybe?

[rockitman]

Theory is typically regarded as the musical study. It does not apply to drums specifically.
I like to define musicians by how much theory they can apply.

There are drummers, and there are musicians......you can be both. You can learn to play drumset and will learn some theory within that. That will make you a drummer. Once you
commit to learning theory as a whole, then you'll begin to become a musician.

[cwignall]

ok so any recomended music theory books?

thanks for the reply

[rockitman]

No not really. the theory that I know was taught to me in public schools here in the US, years ago. Of course I've learned alot from my peers as well. No better learning experience then practical application.
I would recommend searching online. There are a number of sights that can introduce you to basic music theory. Emusictheory is pretty decent.

[Wavelength]

Unless you're into playing another instruments, composing, arranging etc., theory won't do you much good. There are very few theoretical concepts that relate to just drumming.

[abe]

Well this is a very good book:

http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Theory-Book-Mark-Levine/dp/1883217040/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-8998061-4541206?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190654423&sr=8-1

Even if you don't play jazz it's very informative.

Mark Levine did excellent job!

[hungrypo]

that Mark Levine Book is excellent book. also i would recommend anything by Jim Blackley. www.jimblackley.com
i own two of his books: The Essence Of Jazz Drumming and Syncopated Rolls For The Modern Drummer. he dismantles drumming to the core and teaches a melodic approach to playing rythms which emphasizes a great respect for the space between the notes. the essays contained in each book is the reading and insight i believe you're looking for. at least, that's where i've found it ;-)

[foursticks]

Ah man Syncopated Rolls is a GREAT book. Every serious drummer should have it - its such a wonderful, melodic approach to rhythms (mainly involving rolls), but its a great book to have as his approach to playing drums is so musical. My teacher lives by this book and hes one hell of a musical player (too bad I don't have evidence to prove it, but trust me on this one) ;-).

[jazzin']

Yeah, if you want to get into theory go for those Levine books. They are brilliant (both the Jazz Thoery and Jazz Piano book) and well worth getting into. I would also look into purchasing a piano or small keyboard. They can be invaluable for going deeper into certain musical concepts and theory. Also, it will help you directly apply music theory so it's not just a bunch of ... well, theory.

[rockitman]

Unless you're into playing another instruments, composing, arranging etc., theory won't do you much good. There are very few theoretical concepts that relate to just drumming.
Don't mean to call you out on this Wave. But all the theoretical concepts can be helpful to drummers. In fact a fundemental knowledge of theory keeps one involved in the creative process while melody players start noodling fresh notes. It's much easier to communicate with other players when you know the language. What do you do when someone says,
"Take it from the F, and lets try to go back to C this time instead of the A" ?
Drummers need some theory.

[Lance69]

can someone show me a page from the Mark Levine book? I'm considering whether to buy it or not.

Also, I picked up a theory book at the music store and they just have basic theory in it. It tells you what notes are (quarter notes, 8th notes, 16th notes, etc.) and it gives you scales and just the basic theory. Is that stuff still useful for drummers?

[Wavelength]

Don't mean to call you out on this Wave. But all the theoretical concepts can be helpful to drummers. In fact a fundemental knowledge of theory keeps one involved in the creative process while melody players start noodling fresh notes. It's much easier to communicate with other players when you know the language. What do you do when someone says, "Take it from the F, and lets try to go back to C this time instead of the A" ? Drummers need some theory.

Theory in itself is pointless and fairly difficult to understand, if you don't get to apply it in some manner. I have studied a lot of theory, but I also play the guitar and the piano. Generally, the more you know the better off you are, but just like technique, theory is only a means to an end, and if you don't play a melody/harmony instrument (or compose or arrange), what's the point? Certainly an understanding of basic theory is very useful for a drummer -- mainly so that we'll understand the language musicians use --, but one shouldn't delve too deep into it.

If you want to study theory, make sure you use your knowledge -- don't just fill your head with information you don't really need.

[grue]

this forum is a prime example of the theory book you speak off. and it talks back...... unless you keep your drums tuned to concert pitch you should have very little need to be able to apply tritone substitution to the scale of the week.

[Jeremy Bender]

The books that come to mind for drum specific theory would be Peter Erskine's book -drumset essentials, Dom Famularo's- It's your move, Podemski's standard snare drum method. They're more than just drum excercises. There is notaional instruction, musical application discussions and references to recorded works. Keep studying! I haven't met anyone who can do it all...although I met Buddy Rich once!

[Class A Drummer]

I didnt really know there was music theory in drumming. I know theory is huge if you wanna be a great guitarist or trumpet player or somthing.

[jazzin']

I didnt really know there was music theory in drumming. I know theory is huge if you wanna be a great guitarist or trumpet player or somthing.

You're kidding right? If you want to be a successful musician (should I include drummers in this...?) you're going to have to know at least a little bit of theory. Simple things like form, understanding melody, changes etc are hugely overlooked by many drummers. Basically you can get by as a guitarist, trumpet player or drummer without knowing too much theory but today, you'll struggle to make it without knowing a decent amount.

You're not going to get a poet that doesn't understand his own language and all it's nuance. Why is it that so many drummers think they don't need to know their language? Then again, what do we need it for right? We just sit in the background and smash bits of metal and plastic with sticks....