The Moeller Book

Sanford Moeller

General Info

Year: 1956
Edition: 1st Edition
Publisher: Ludwig Drum Co. Publishers
Cost: Book Cost - $17.95   |   Supplemental Books - $0.00

Chapters

Chapter I:
Chapter II:
Chapter III:
Chapter IV:
Chapter V:
Chapter VI:

Reviews

Student Reviews

Organization: This book lacks a table of contents which is replaced by an index in the back of the book, with the first pages starting with a publisher’s note, notes about the author, and the concept of confidence while playing before going into technique. Proper stick grip, which only the traditional grip is mentioned, strokes, and rolls are the first few concepts, with the roll received a great deal of attention as it should. After, flams, ruffs, and paradiddles are introduced, with several playing examples being provided for each and a revisitation of rolls along with playing exercises for them. After taps are discussed, the rest of the book focuses on Army-style etudes, with several descriptions scattered throughout from the author’s experience in the Army.

Content: As stated in the previous paragraph, the author never lets the reader forget that he was in the Army and that some of the greatest techniques for snare drumming were from that school of thought. Especially in the last half of the book, the use of these military-style etudes is greatly emphasized, which are built on the rudiments which were discussed earlier in the book in fairly great detail. The author claims the techniques learned in the book can be equally applied to orchestral playing as well as military corps playing, but there is little mention of dynamics or phrasing of any kind.

Uses: Given the background of the author and what method of thinking he is using when playing, I believe that is book could see great use in marching band, with several corps etudes being used as drum cadences or as warm-up and exercises for the ensemble. With some of the complexity of these and their use in national auditions, this book would be best suited for high school students or those thinking of joining Drum Corps International groups. A middle school student with a good understanding of fundamentals could play some examples in this book but may find themselves limited by their technique and skills by pieces found later in the book.

Rating: Despite some dated ideas in this book, the foundation laid for rudiments is exceptional. There are plenty of playing exercises provided and will prepare students for at least one snare drum audition they will run into in their lives. The absence of orchestral techniques takes away from what is a great rudimental and etude book which is heavily based on the military school of drumming. 4/5. User:Hondogracias

Works for Percussion by this Author

Moeller, Sanford. The Moeller Book. Ludwig Drum Co. Publishers, 1956.