Here is what educators, students, and parents have to say about The Snare Drum Plays The Zoo and Brian J. Harris as a percussion instructor!

The Snare Drum Plays The Zoo

Brian, Not only is your book brilliant, it's fun beyond any adult imagination. Congratulations on creating a book that will support drumming education for the young and old alike, an imaginative and thoroughly original work of drumming literary art.

Jonathan Haas, director of the Peabody Conservatory Percussion Studio, faculty artist of the Aspen Music School, virtuoso timpanist, and principal percussionist of the American Symphony Orchestra

Lots of illustrations, a logical progression, and a clear presentation make this book a great resource for beginning students and their teachers. (Rated 4 out of 5-drum rating!)

Modern Drummer Magazine

Everything about this product, from the content to the graphics to the printing to the associated website with its "book-owners" only area is first rate.

Eric Stuer, rhythmweb.com

I have three students (one is my daughter who turns four next month, the others are age seven and ten) working in your book. All three wrote and performed a snare solo at my studio recital a couple weeks ago and all of them started percussion within the last two to three months. The book is working tremendously well, and they are all enjoying playing and writing music.

This is by far the best book I've found for young percussion students. It is specifically encouraging how well the book focuses students on rhythmic groupings rather than individual notes.

Josh Gottry, Gottry Percussion

Lavishly illustrated...

Young students who follow Harris' suggestions and conscientiously pursue his system should enjoy a successful and enjoyable learning experience.

Percussive Notes Magazine

I like this way of thinking because it is focused. The biggest problem with young (new) learners is their general lack of focus. And with this approach, they are naturally enticed to a state of focus with the ulterior theme of the zoo animals. The text is well planned out, and it progresses quite naturally for the student. Nice job, Brian.

Dr. Dean Gronemeier, Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Dear Brian:

Thanks for the prompt service! My fifth grade son is taking percussion lessons from a student at the University of South Dakota here in Vermillion, SD. The student's professor, Dr. Darin Wadley, had given him a couple pages from your book to use in the lesson yesterday. My son Taylor had instant success with the Caterpillar and Tiger lesson. In fact, within ten minutes they had covered and successfully completed the lesson. This was only my son's second lesson and he has had no prior experience with drum sticks. Needless to say, he was very excited and pleased with himself and so was I. We are both looking forward to the lessons in your book!

Carol Geu, Vermillion, SD

I like The Snare Drum Plays The Zoo very much and it is a hit with my students both young and old!

Jim Sharp, private teacher, Southbridge, MA

I have researched this subject extensivly for five years and have written three books myself. [This is] one of the best pure "phonetic" approaches I have ever studied.

You have the best illustration of Full, Down, Tap, and Up strokes I have seen. Conceptualization of rests is outstanding, this is where most youg musicians have trouble anyway.

Your illustrations are outstanding, and I love the composition element you use. I also like the theory utilization having students do written assignments to reinfore "right hand lead." I am also very impressed with the well thought out incremental advancement of the rhythm curriculum and technical skills.

Thank you for your time and hard work. I truly understand the degree of work and effort you have put into to such a master and well thought out system.

Richard Moon, band director, Summerville, SC, www.rhythmmasters.org

Snare Drum Plays the Zoo is Genius!

Brian,

I just wanted to give you a quick email of praise and thanks. I tried out The Snare Drum Plays The Zoo on my youngest son who is eight so that I could start formulating a lesson plan for the new book and my new students. He was impressed to say the least. He has been in the studio almost all night working on the book and with just a few pointers, has already worked up to page 25. He had gotten bored and frustrated with normal drum methods. I wanted to cross check it and so I switched a regular drum method book and he was able to play the rhythms there as well, as he had already memorized the animal names to help him.

Way to go!

Dennis McLaughlin, private teacher, Boise Idaho

I am teaching a learning disabled student and decided to see if your book might help. The system you have going is great. My student completely understands and is picking things up quite rapidly. Thank you very much.

Cody Harris, private teacher, Williamsport, PA

I got the book in a day ago and I played through it that day to check it out first. I am going to require all of my kids to have this book. Cannot wait to start using it this week!!!!!

Aaron Quirk, private teacher and band director, Dartmouth, MA

It is a marvelous teaching tool. I certainly would recommend you and your method to anyone interested.

Mary Woods, General Music Teacher, Tucson Hebrew Academy

I like using the names of animals!

Tim Rachbach, second grade student

Brian J. Harris As Percussion Instructor

I have never met anyone with a gift for teaching like you have. You are so encouraging, positive, friendly, respectful, talented...I could go on. Your students are fortunate to have you as a teacher and mentor. It has been a pleasure to sit in your [waiting] room and listen and observe. I've never minded the journey way up north for Lydia's lessons -- I felt it was a privilege to be a bystander during her lessons. Thank you for that experience.

Victoria Khalidi, parent of student

Your training as a percussionist has inspired me through hard times and triumphs. You have given me the skills to teach others what you’ve taught me. It’s amazing how contagious education can be!

Brian Wagner, Former Student; Currently Percussion Instructor, Oswego, IL

[You] teach in a personable and respectful way with a sense of humor.

Becky Foreman, parent of student

You care about Sean as a person, not just a musician.

Laurie Benjamin, parent of student

You are superb at what you do. You are a gifted musician, with a love for percussion and an intimate knowledge of teaching children of all ages.

Jeri Jones, parent of student

You are patient, specific in your expectations and your praise, very positive and encouraging. Couldn’t ask for more!