Stephen this is probably the most pragmatic drum advice I have ever watched, heard or otherwise. I agree with your book choices of course. The “technical ceiling” concept makes sense. I REALLY appreciate your contributions. Thanks.

Stephan I’m an older person (64) and I’ve been through many drumming learning curves. You’re videos are exceptionally worthwhile. I very much appreciate your presentation style, and your knowledge and logic are both practical and amazing. Keep up the good work. I wonder if your followers know your true value? As an “old sage” I’m asking you to keep up the good work, please! Billy P from So Cal.

I've got the stick control book, am getting Carmine Appice's book on Realistic Rock Beats for Christmas, and I'm seriously thinking about the Syncopation book. You seem to be very practical. Wish someone like you was around 50+ years ago when I first picked sticks and a pad. (Then quit for 50 years and am taking it up again as a retirement thing).

Hi Stephen, it would be great to see a video on diving into Stick Control. It can be pretty intimidating past those first few pages! Thanks for all the great videos

Excellent explanation! Regarding Stick Control and its randomness aspects and syncopated coordination on drumset, this was enlightening and a strong argument to study it! Regarding technical ceiling, also a great explanation.

The technical ceiling analogy is an excellent way of illustrating the need to push yourself to improve regardless of the style of music or your current level. I played for roughly 20 years and was the basic rock guy banging his head on the ceiling. I took about a 10 year layoff and just started back about 2 years ago. When I came back I wanted to adopt a different strategy and grow as a musician. I travel 15 days a month for work and all I have those days is a practice pad. I use stick control religiously to try and improve my hands... I have syncopation but don't really know how to use that book. I can honestly say my playing has vastly improved since I have been doing this. My ceiling is still pretty low but I am chipping away at it a day at a time, a week at a time, a month at a time. This was a great video about an important topic. I subscribed and I look forward to more great videos... cheers

Great video. Along with all the aforementioned books for fundamentals ... I might suggest any of Charley Wilcoxon's books ie: The All American Drummer, Modern Rudimental Swing Solos, etc. to get your hands and reading together. Also, George Lawrence Stone's other snare book "Accents and Rebounds" or Joe Morello's "Master Studies" are two others. Any of the two Tommy Igoe's "Groove Essentials" are also "must have" for styles and play-along.

Great job. Excellent demonstrations. Finally decided to subscribe after watching this one. I've got two of the three books you mentioned. My vote: Yes, I would like to see you work through a few of the exercises in future videos.

Thanks man this was the answer to the question I had

Stick Control Was the first book I "read" as a drummer 5 years in. I used the exercises for my hands and feet, and it really took my playing to the next level.

That bebop swing pattern was awesome. Alot of control you demonstrated. I'll have to look into that book thank u

Ted Reed - Syncopation is my Bible. Of course Stick Control is Iconic. It's Your Move: Emotions and Motion by Dom Farmularo is another great book that I highly recommend!!!. Definitely need to dive into Advanced Techniques. The progressive nature of all these books makes it so easy to isolate weaknesses in your playing.

Super helpful!! Thank you!!

Don Famularo recommends playing a page of Stick Control daily, first time hands only, second time feet only, playing each line for one minute, then starting a new page every week. I'd love to hear your thoughts on applying these books to a daily practice schedule and how you recommend structuring practices, e.g. 3 hour practice is 1 hour on technique, 30 minutes on book 1, 15 minutes on book 2, 15 minutes play with an album. Of course I know that will change with what an individual goal's are, but just curious what you recommend to your students and what you do yourself. Thanks for the great videos and for talking about some great books!

I have studied with legendary teacher Dom Famularo for many many years! Syncopation, stick control and Advanced Technique’s for the modern drummer are at the core of his teaching! So, yes these books are extremely valuable and essential tools in any drummers library!! I use these and many others with my students.

Stick Control is probably the most important drum book ever written, but for someone considering the book who isn't familiar with it, I suggest that you give some tips on how to use it. The book is written entirely in notation for the snare with sticking patterns but these can be played anywhere on the kit, R on the ride, L on a tom, add the HH on 2 and 4, add four on the floor or just 1 and 3; the patterns can be played with the HH and bass.

Another really good video! I have tons of books I have never been through! “Stick Control” is one of the greatest books of all time you could spend a lifetime working through that with various ideas. I have learnt through experience you don’t need loads of books two or three really good drum books is more than enough!

Great video as always.

Great advice. For some beginners Stick Control, and the others may bore, or frustrate you (well it did me) My first book was Rockin' Bass. Once I got my basic rock independence going, the book was fun, great rock grooves, and ya can get through it fast. After that, Stick Control etc...Endless ways to play em.

Yo man you got some good videos! Keep it up!