I wanted to take a few minutes to tell you about a new resource I found that kicks ass. It's called SnareDrumTV.com. Its focus is to improve your overall playing by way of snare drum rudiment training. I've been corresponding with the site owner Pat McLaughlin for the last few weeks and I've been very impressed with his professionalism and responsiveness to my many inquiries. I thought I'd give my readers a chance to learn what I have about Pat and his site.

Pat has a degree in music education and currently teaches over 50 students in both private and group settings. Pat's site features a weekly video series of snare drum rudiment exercises. Pat also offers a low cost, high quality course you should take a look at. It's called Total Control and is a complete course on sharpening your non-dominant hand.

If you sign up as a free member you'll be able to download all the sheet music from the video lessons PLUS he'll give you as a bonus access to a set of five video hand exercises you can do anywhere. This is not some thrown in add-on. This is quality instruction taught by a top-flight drummer and educator who understands the obstacles you encounter everyday because he's been there. The hand exercises were going to be a paid product but he decided it would be a great way to introduce himself to you without any risk.

The following is from an interview I did with Pat recently.

Where are you from?

I currently live in Denton, Texas, just North of Dallas, but I’ve moved around a decent amount and have also lived in Missouri, Arizona, and Illinois.

How did you come to be a drummer?

My older brother played the French horn when he was in Jr. High. I remember going to see the first concert he was in and staring at the Timpani the entire time because I thought they were the coolest thing out there. My school offered orchestra one year earlier than band so I started playing violin right after that concert but as soon as I had the opportunity to play the drums the following year I made the switch and have been drumming ever since!

How long have you been playing?

Over 14 years.

Who was your biggest inspiration?

My teachers. I’ve been very fortunate to have some outstanding teachers and mentors over the years. Every one of them has been a major influence and inspiration in my playing.

Who is your favorite drummer now?

I don’t have a hands-down favorite right now. It really depends on the day and what I want to listen to. The top guys I’ve been listening to lately are Brian Blade, Keith Carlock, Tony Williams, and Danny Carey.

Do you teach? How many students do you have?

I do. I teach a number of percussion classes every day at a few of the schools in the area and also have a private lesson studio. All in all I teach a little over 50 students a week. I see about half of those students every day in classes and the other half once a week in lessons.

Do you play in a band?

Not at the moment. Improving my teaching skills and providing drummers with a quality drum education either through in-person classes and lessons or Snare Drum TV is my main focus right now.

What one thing do you still struggle the most with as a drummer?

Consistency - being able to play an exercise or musical passage at an extremely high standard every single time I play it without fluctuation. It all comes down to mastering the little things – and that’s a tough task to take on no matter what activity you’re trying to do it in!

Why did you start SnareDrumTV.com?

I’m fortunate to have had a lot of great instruction and information growing up as a drummer. I love teaching and enjoy sharing that knowledge with other people so that they can get better at drumming and enjoy the activity as much as possible. I’m a HUGE believer in snare drum practice and drumming fundamentals. There are a lot of drum lessons out there that just teach fluff – lessons that teach a really complicated lick just for the sake of it being complicated. Sure, it’s cool – but does it actually make you better? Is it actually something you can use in a musical context on a regular basis? Is it actually improving your skill and helping your advance? Probably not.

Practicing snare drum exercises that focus on your drumming fundamentals can make a huge impact on your skills that actually makes a difference in your playing. While they may not be the most amazing thing out there, snare drum exercises can help you make significant advances in your drumming ability that will last you a lifetime, and that’s something I’m a giant advocate of.

I decided that starting Snare Drum TV was a great way to increase the awareness of the value that snare drum exercises have while also providing drummers all over the world with a resource that helps them improve their craft.

Who is your site geared toward?

Snare Drum TV is geared towards drummers who understand the benefits and value of having solid drumming fundamentals. It’s for drummers who really want to improve their skill level and drumming abilities for the long haul by establishing a really solid drumming foundation that they can continue to build on throughout their entire lives.

How is your site better than other drum lesson sites?

I legitimately care about helping drummers and want to give them information that will really help them improve for years to come. I don’t just throw up videos that demonstrate a rudiment or exercise and call it a day. I break things down, explain the importance of them, teach them clearly, and then demonstrate them.

The best part about Snare Drum TV’s content is that you can learn an exercise or rudiment on a practice pad or snare drum, work it up, and then apply it to whatever you’re instrument of choice is: drum set, hand percussion, rudimental percussion, orchestral percussion, etc. I think there is a ton of value in that.

Tell me about your Total Control program? Who would benefit from it?

The Total Control course is the #1 online drum course for improving your weak hand. Almost every drummer I know struggles with a weak hand (most of the time their non-dominant hand) and has trouble getting it to be as strong, fast, and controllable as their dominant hand. I struggled with the same problem for years and years, but eventually found a method that fixed it. The Total Control course explains that method in a simple step-by-step method with 18 videos. Any drummer with a weak hand will find this course extremely beneficial.

Give SnareDrumTV A Look

Pat McLaughlin

There you have it...quality free and low-cost drum rudiment training that can have a real impact on your playing taught by Pat McLaughlin, an instructor who's passionate about drumming and who believes it's the little things that can really make a difference. He's not some guy just hawking drum lessons online either. He's walking the walk by instructing real students who face all kinds of challenges as drummers. I'm sure he can help you with yours.

So head on over to SnareDrumTV.com and see if you're not able to finally get past your drumming obstacles. And don't forget to sign up as a free member to get your 5 Hand Exercise Videos.

Whether you're looking for the best Evans , Vic Firth , Offworld or Remo practice pads , one of the best places to look is Amazon. If you just need a pad to muffle your set or looking for a complete set of drum practice pads, they've got a ton of responsive customers wanting to tell you what they think of their purchases. Obviously, this is a huge advantage to you because you can see what real drummers really think of the stuff they've bought.

How We Rated Them

Einstein need not apply. We've simply looked at the top rated drum practice pads on Amazon that are priced under $60.00 and have more than 3 stars with at least five reviews. Then, we've talked to our staff and picked a favorite as "Our Pick".

What we're looking for here is drum practice pads that have solid reps and are great values. Take a look and tell us what you think.

Top Rated Drum Practice Pads

List of the Top 5 Drum Practice Pads, Read Reviews, Ratings, and Compare Prices.

• Offworld Percussion Invader V3 Practice Pad **Our Pick** [Check Prices - Read Reviews]
• Evans 2-Sided Practice Pad, 12 Inch [Check Prices - Read Reviews]
• RealFeel by Evans Apprentice Pad, 7 Inch [Check Prices - Read Reviews]
• Remo Practice Pad, 8 inch [Check Prices - Read Reviews]
• Vic Firth 12 Inch Double Sided Practice Pad [Check Prices - Read Reviews]

Because we know we're not the last word in drum practice pads, here's a few sites with their own opinions about them.

• Lonestar Percussion lets its customers sound off about their favorite drum practice pad.
• Learn How To Play Drums has a list of their favorites and instructional video about drum practice pads.
• BestCovery has its own take on what are the best drum practice pads.

Keep in mind that when you click those links, you will be leaving our Snare Drum Reviews site and we cannot be responsible for the opinions and ratings of those sites.

Tell Us About Your Favorite Drum Practice Pad

Is there a drum practice pad that you love that didn't make our list? Do you have your own story about any that are on our list? If so, pleas leave us a comment below and tell us about it! Let us know what you think of our list of top rated drum practice pads.

Whether you're looking for the best Ludwig, Pearl or Yamaha snare drum, one of the best places we often find deals are is the Amazon market place. Whether you want one of the best snare drums on the market or you are buying a beginner snare drum as a Christmas gift, they have millions of customers eager to leave reviews on products. This is a big advantage to you because it allows us to see clear trends which we can post for you.

How We Rated Them

No complex formulas here, sorry. What we've done is look at the top rated snare drums on Amazon that are priced under $300.00 and have more than 3 stars with at least two reviews. Then, we've consulted our own history with various drums and come up with a list of the top rated snare drums for 2011.

What we're looking for here is snare drums that have great value and reputation. We hope you'll look at all of them and let us know what you think.

Top Rated Snare Drums of 2011

List of the Top 5 Snare Drums of 2011, Read Reviews, Ratings, and Compare Prices.

• Mapex MPX 13x6 Birch Snare Drum **Our Pick** [Check Prices - Read Reviews]
• Pearl FCS1050 10x5 Steel FireCracker Snare [Check Prices - Read Reviews]
• Pearl S1330B 13x3 Steel Piccolo Snare Drum [Check Prices - Read Reviews]
• Pork Pie 6.5x14 Black Nickle Plated Snare Drum [Check Prices - Read Reviews]
• Pacific Drums by DW The Ace: 6.5X14 Black Chrome Over Beaded Brass Snare Drum [Check Prices - Read Reviews]

We realize we aren't the holy grail of reviewers, so check out these other web resources for top rated snare drums, reviews and more.

• Music Radar has a list of what it considers the best snare drums in the world! What do you think?
• MobTown Studio not only lists 10 great snare drums, but also has some nice little sound clips to let you experience the play.
• BestCovery shares a list of the top rated snare drums in its own opinion!

Keep in mind that when you click those links, you will be leaving our Snare Drum Reviews site and we cannot be responsible for the opinions and ratings of those sites.

Tell Us About Your Favorite Snare Drum

Is there a snare drum that's your favorite that's not on the top list? Do you have experience with any that are on the list? If so, leave us a comment below and sound off! We'd love to hear what you think of our list of the top rated snare drums!

You can read our complete review of Learn and Master Drums here.

Legacy Learning Systems is committed to helping people realize their dreams by providing high-quality, easy to follow instruction by professionals who have made a name for themselves in their fields. Their customer service is second to none.

Don't pass up this opportunity to get your hands on one(or two)of these great courses! Remember, Christmas will be here before you know it! Click the graphic below to learn more.

You can read our complete review of Learn and Master Drums here.

Legacy Learning Systems is committed to helping people realize their dreams by providing high-quality, easy to follow instruction by professionals who have made a name for themselves in their fields. Their customer service is second to none.

Don't pass up this opportunity to get your hands on one(or two)of these great courses! Remember, Christmas will be here before you know it! Click the graphic below to learn more.

Learn and Master Drums

The Learn and Master Drums DVD course is one we've done a complete review of here. Everybody from a newbie to a seasoned professional will learn something from this course. It's really that simple. If you or somebody you know has been struggling to afford private lessons, you owe it to yourself to give this a try. It's got a money back guarantee so you can't go wrong.

EarMaster Pro 5

One of the things I hear musicians of all kinds talking about is they wish they had a better understanding of music notation and theory. The EarMaster Pro course is another we've reviewed on our sister publication Ear Training Software and believe it's the course you need if you're having problems keeping up with the theory side of your music. It's laid out for beginner and pro alike so you can skip the stuff you already know and can get to the meaty stuff you need. It's got a free trial period, a guarantee and impeccable customer support.

Singorama

I know this one is going to sound like it's out of left field but let me point out a couple of things. First of all, part of my musical background is voice and I don't think any musician should be exclusive to only one instrument. Secondly, if you're playing in a band I'm sure you have a vocalist. Chances are they would like to continue growing just like you do musically. Maybe you do the Phil Collins thing and sing and drum. The Singorama course is one I was introduced to last year and had to give it a go. I was very impressed with the level and breadth of the instruction. Ear training, songwriting and vocal technique are all covered to name just a few. They too have a money back guarantee so you can buy with confidence.

Hope This Helps

I know how busy the holidays can become and how much more precious our time can be. That's why we wanted to give you a quick guide you can use to check out some excellent programs and get back to your life with time to spare. Enjoy your holiday season and keep it real.

Here they are in no particular order.

Rogers Dynasonic Snare Drum

The Rogers Dynasonic Snare is one of those rare drums that can be the mainstay of your set as well as a great investment. While the prices can vary widely, it's still a great snare to have in your arsenal. Check Prices

DW Edge Snare Drum

The DW Edge Snare will satisfy the old school drummer in all of us. The DW attention to detail and superior craftsmanship makes this drum simply stunning to look at and pleasure to play. Check Prices

Ludwig Acrolite Snare Drum

The Ludwig Acrolite Snare is the real bargain in the lot. While it may not have the most commanding sound and there are some concerns regarding the consistent quality of the line through the years, the price point and durability make it a great choice for smaller venue players. Check Prices

Pearl Sensitone Snare Drum

The Pearl Sensitone Snare rounds out our Christmas buying guide with a bang. This snare has incredible versatility, a low price point and a minor complaint about the stock heads that come with it. It would make a great gift for the drummer on your list that has everything. Check Prices

There you have it. We hope you'll find our Christmas buying guide helpful and that you'll share it with your friends if you do. Happy shopping!

Additional Resources

Snare Drum Review's Buying Guides

Snare Drum Reviews's Complete Reviews

Buying A Used Snare Drum On Ebay

Musician's Friend

Guitar Center

Do you know of somebody who would like to learn to play the drums? Or maybe they've played for years and feel stuck in a rut? Either way, the holiday season is a great time to give somebody the gift of music. We here at Snare Drum Reviews believe the best way to do this is to get them Learn and Master Drums by Legacy Learning Systems.

You can read our complete review of the Learn and Master Drums DVD course here

Great For All Levels

This beautifully packaged course is the exact step by step approach a beginner needs. But it's not just a beginner's course. The content is broken down so that the professional can get right to what they need to work on and start from there.

If you know of anybody who wants to learn to play the drums or to take their playing to the next level, now would be a great time to get them Learn and Master Drums.

Is it:

• Great training
• Regular practice
• Incredible imagination
• Innate ability

Great Training

There is no doubt that receiving top notch drum instruction from one or many dedicated teachers is a foundational element. A beginning student needs a teacher that loves what they do and can impart this enthusiasm on their young charges. Initially, it's got to be fun or the youngster won't enjoy what they are doing. How many promising musical careers have been quashed by an instructor who is rigid and insists on hard work above all else? True, to ultimately be successful a lot of hard work is necessary. However, if the beginning student sees lessons as a sentence instead of a reward they will avoid them at all costs. Oddly enough, this is also true of adult students that are beginning to learn a musical instrument. They already have a long list of things they must do. They need more things they want to do. If musical lessons don't become that, they will be abandoned.

As the student progresses, it becomes much more important that their instructors are of a high technical level. This is why veteran drummers looking to constantly improve their skills will seek out popular drummers for lessons. The combination of a new perspective and the rush of learning from a legend is hard to pass up even if the lessons are expensive.

Where do you feel great training fits into this equation?

Regular Practice

This may seem to some to be a no-brainer and I agree to an extent. The reason I put this up here is because there are many drummers who can't stand to practice other than whatever their bands are currently playing. In other words, there are really two kinds of practice. Drills to build the rudiments and simply devoting regular time to work on your bands set list.

Which type of practice do you believe is more important in making a great drummer?

Incredible Imagination

How many times have you been listening to music where the drummer was good but maybe not great. What really caught your ear was the unusual way they either felt or articulated a phrase. Maybe the choice of meter or the orchestration of their set elements into a phrase. It was just so cool but you couldn't put your finger on it. You come away wondering how the hell they came up with that. Neil Peart is a perfect example of this. He spends a lot of time deciding exactly how he wants to use his set and it really shows in his final product.

Do you think if you took two drummers with the exact same ability and gave one of them better creative ability that they would stand out easily next to their counterpart?

Innate Ability

Finally, do you think there are genetic factors that just make one drummer better than another all other things being equal? Just like an IQ that makes one potentially a better scientist do you think this same innate ability exists for musical ability? It's the whole right brain, left brain thing I know but it bears examining. Is it possible that this one quality could be the reason some drummers seem to be great without the benefit of great training, regular practice or much imagination? Or could this innate ability be the thing that makes all the other elements produce a better drummer?

Where Do You Stand On This?

What does make a great drummer in your mind? Is it one thing? Many? What combination and degree of these elements?

Leave a comment below and let's talk about it. Be sure to tweet this to your drummer buddies so we can hear what they say too.

I've been getting more and more into the muscian's scene in New York City lately. The great thing about living near a big city like NYC is they offer things you might not find anywhere else. One of those things is the Muscians Club and rehearsal studios at The Studio in NYC. I joined the club last year and ended up participating in one of their showcases. It's a great way to get out and play live without the hassle of finding all the musicians and then scheduling and everything thing else that goes with putting a band together. They take care of everything...for a price. That's the catch. You have to pay for it. But they do handle everything. They provide the where and they have a coordinator who is in charge of the rehearsals. You have to do your homework and learn the set list, reahearse three times for approx 10 hours and they provide the equipment at the club. You just show up and play. If you have a band, you can also take part in this. One other way they have to meet other musicians is their saturday nite jams....it's from 7pm-11pm and they have 5 rooms available....usually a beginner room...one intermediate rock room....intermediate-advanced blues room....you go pick a room and play...it's alot of fun.