What are the best drum books for learning how to play brushes in jazz and other genres?

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Playing drums with brushes can be beautiful. The swoosh of a brush is not only a means of playing quietly, it’s a completely different sound palate that you can bring to a tune. And it takes completely different technique to master, compared to a drum stick.

If you’re an aspiring jazz drummer learning good brush technique is nothing short of essential. For drummers in other genres playing with brushes is still a valuable skill, for times when you need to play quietly, or for creating different textures, sounds and beats.

In this guide we take a look at the essential books for learning brush technique.

The Art of Bop Drumming by John Riley:
This legendary book, also featured in our list of the best books for jazz drumming, covers a wide range of jazz drumming techniques, including extensive sections on brush playing.
The Art of Bop Drumming is one of the most important books on the jazz genre. With expert advice on the patterns used to play brushes, the book will help you on your way while also helping you to develop as a well-rounded jazz player.

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2. The Complete Guide to Playing Brushes by Florian Alexandre-Zorn:

"The Complete Guide to Playing Brushes" is a comprehensive manual by Florian Alexandru-Zorn, a drum educator specialising in brushes. It delves deep into the art of brush playing, offering invaluable insights and techniques for drummers of all levels.

It is notable for going beyond jazz to pop styles making it widely accessible for drummers of different genres. Alexandru-Zorn covers every aspect of brush technique, from basic strokes to advanced patterns, providing clear explanations and musical examples along the way. Through a series of progressive exercises, drummers learn to develop control, finesse, and musicality with brushes, unlocking a rich palette of sounds and textures to enhance their playing.

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3. Brushworks: The New Language for Playing Brushes by Clayton Cameron:

"Brushworks" by Clayton Cameron stands as a definitive guide to mastering the art of brush playing with innovation and flair. As a renowned percussionist known for his dynamic brush technique, who played with Sammy Davis Jr. and Tony Bennet, and with the nickname “The Brush Master”, Cameron shares his expertise and passion for brushes in this comprehensive book.

Through a series of exercises, Cameron breaks down the fundamentals of brush technique, exploring a wide range of strokes, rhythms, and textures. With an emphasis on creativity and musicality, he encourages drummers to experiment with unconventional techniques and develop their own unique voice with brushes.

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4. The Sound of Brushes by Ed Thigpen

The Sound of Brushes by Ed Thigpen stands as a seminal work in the realm of jazz drumming education. Thigpen, who played with Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald among others, renowned for his impeccable brush technique and musicality, offers a comprehensive guide to achieving the signature sound and feel associated with brushes.

Using detailed explanations, accompanied by audio examples, and diagrams, Thigpen delves into the intricacies of brush strokes, dynamics, and articulation techniques. Emphasising tone production and expression, this book will help you develop finesse in your brush playing.

This book also features on our list of the best books for jazz drumming.

5. Jazz Brushes for the Modern Drummer

"Jazz Brushes for the Modern Drummer" is authored by by Ulysses Owens Jr. a modern-jazz drummer with an increasingly impressive resume including work with Kurt Elling and Christian McBride, and beautiful brush technique. The book is a comprehensive guide that explores the art of brush playing with a contemporary perspective. Owens provides invaluable insights and techniques tailored for today's drummers. The book covers essential brush strokes, dynamic control, and advanced patterns, offering a step-by-step approach to mastering this nuanced skill.

With clear explanations, musical examples, and exercises, Owens empowers drummers to develop a versatile brush technique that can be applied across various musical genres.

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That concludes our list of the best drum books for enhancing your brush technique. We hope you enjoy mastering the beauty and texture of brush playing.

If you’d like to read more, check out our list of the best drum books for jazz or the best books for drum exercises.

Finally, if you need to choose a pair of brushes, we think you can’t go wrong with the Vic Firth Heritage Brush. It’s relatively soft and light, giving you a good swoosh and is a good brush for starting to learn the art of brush playing.