Brian J. Harris Method for Percussion

Welcome to brianjharris.com, where you can see, hear, and learn about the Brian J. Harris Method for percussion!

Congratulations To The Marimba/
Xylophone Drawing Winners!

On November 21, 2009, five Arizona percussion students won free use of my marimbas and xylophones for three months--worth over $100 per winner. Congratulations to these winners!

Heather, Williams Field High School, Higley
Phoebe, University High School, Tucson
Julian, Edison Elementary School, Phoenix
Roman, Dodge Middle School, Tucson
Connor, O'Connor High School, Phoenix

Arizona's Largest Percussion Rental Service

My percussion rental business supplies some of Arizona's most successful percussion students with their practice instruments. If you need a percussion instrument for home practice, please visit my Rentals page today!

New DVD For Sale

My new instructional DVD, The Snare Drum Plays The Zoo, has been completed and can be purchased right here. Including nearly SIX hours of demonstration, explanation, and fun, this DVD takes you step-by-step, page-by-page through the book. This is perfect for students who have no access to a private teacher. Add it to your book order and get it for less than the price of one lesson with me.
Read more...

Musser M250 4.3 Octave Rosewood Marimba--Includes 5 Travel Cases!

With list prices totaling $14,360, you’d wait at least two months for delivery and pay over $9,000 (discounted) for this incredible marimba and cases. I’m selling this one, like new, with cases, all for only $5800! See it here.

Rent Your Steel Drums Today!

Attention pan players: If you've wanted to have steel pans to practice at home, now you can! Call or email today to rent your own lead pan or a pair of seconds.

25 Years of Private Teaching Experience

Tucson residents and visitors can check out my Tucson Studio pages for information about private lessons. The 2008-2009 season marks my twenty-fifth year of teaching. Call or email today to tell me how I can help you at your free introductory lesson!

The Snare Drum Plays The Zoo Around The World!

I've shipped my beginning snare drum method book, The Snare Drum Plays The Zoo, to teachers and students in the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, United Kingdom, Thailand, Indonesia, and Lebanon! It's a fun way for students of all ages to begin hearing, performing, reading, and composing music for snare drum.

The Snare Drum Plays the Zoo, by Brian J. Harris

Book Covers, 9" x 12"

What's In the Book?

The Snare Drum Plays The Zoo is a unique method book that uses animal names to teach rhythms, accents, rolls, and flams on snare drum. It contains 104 pages with over a dozen instructional photos, 20 solos, 119 reading exercises, dozens of technique exercises, 21 composition assignments, and a CD with 50 audio tracks. These features combine to help the beginner learn to play, read, and write 20 different rhythmic symbols, 11 dynamic symbols, and a variety of repeat symbols.

Zoological Illustrations

To add to the fun, I hired illustrators to create fifty playful scenes of animals interacting, playing snare drums, and composing within the zoo. You'll enjoy looking at these wonderful illustrations even when you're not practicing!

Free Owners Only Website Access

Every owner of the book gets free, unlimited access to the Owners Only area of my website. Here, you can register your book and email questions directly to me. My comments and suggestions regarding the book remain archived for everyone to use.

Order The Snare Drum Plays The Zoo Risk-Free!

I've worked incredibly hard on this book, and I am convinced that it provides the most enjoyable way to learn to play snare drum! If you disagree, just send it back to me within thirty days, and you'll receive an immediate, 100% refund of your purchase price--no hassle, no questions asked. BUY OR READ MORE...

Brian J. Harris Method | 1001 East Orange Grove Rd., Tucson, AZ 85718
Phone: (520) 878-0363 | Fax: (520) 844-8166 | Email:

This text will be replaced by the flash music player.

(All percussion sounds created with
snare drums and snare drum parts.)

Congratulations To The Marimba/ Xylophone Drawing Winners!