Drum Books by Alain Rieder
Explore the world of rhythm, groove and melodic phrasing with these unique drum books!
Time Initiation Drum Book
Buy it Here:
This book offers a structured approach to teaching drums in a conceptual and creative way. It can be used for self-study.
It is aimed at both beginners and experienced drummers who want to review the basics with a balanced and constructive approach.
It presents innovative and interesting concepts, such as Pattern Morphing and Universal Fills, which will be useful for advanced drummers.
Its clear pedagogical structure makes it an essential tool for students and teachers. The book is bilingual - English & French - and includes a section on music theory focused on rhythm and drums. It is designed to be studied before or in parallel with Time Manipulation.
With more than five hours of downloadable audio.
It is aimed at both beginners and experienced drummers who want to review the basics with a balanced and constructive approach.
It presents innovative and interesting concepts, such as Pattern Morphing and Universal Fills, which will be useful for advanced drummers.
Its clear pedagogical structure makes it an essential tool for students and teachers. The book is bilingual - English & French - and includes a section on music theory focused on rhythm and drums. It is designed to be studied before or in parallel with Time Manipulation.
With more than five hours of downloadable audio.
Time Manipulation Drum Book
Buy it Here:
Time Manipulation is a critically acclaimed drum book that helps develop coordination in a groove context.
It is an advanced approach, yet accessible to drummers with basic reading knowledge. Polyrhythms, beat displacements, metric modulations, and other advanced concepts—all are present to fuel your creativity.
It is the perfect book to continue developing the Pattern Morphing concept introduced in the Time Initiation drum book from the same author.
Spanning 140 pages, accompanied by downloadable MP3 audio files, this book is available in English or in French.
With more than one hour of downloadable audio
It is an advanced approach, yet accessible to drummers with basic reading knowledge. Polyrhythms, beat displacements, metric modulations, and other advanced concepts—all are present to fuel your creativity.
It is the perfect book to continue developing the Pattern Morphing concept introduced in the Time Initiation drum book from the same author.
Spanning 140 pages, accompanied by downloadable MP3 audio files, this book is available in English or in French.
With more than one hour of downloadable audio
Reviews of Time Manipulation
Originally published in 1992, this classic method book garnered praise from top drummers and educators. Now the author has updated it with additional exercises and online audio examples.
Designed to develop coordination in a groove context, Time Manipulation features an open format that favors exploration. The bulk of the exercises consists of sets of one-bar beats, where a simple groove builds in complexity. What's special is the relationship between the simple and complex grooves, and the related patterns in between therm. They can be mixed and matched, ostinato ride patterns can be swapped in, bass drum phrasing can be altered, and more, allowing for a lot of creative exploration. The collection of phrases in both 4/4 and 12/8 develops a solid foundation in groove, along a spectrum from simple to complex.
Later there are sections that delve into 4:3 and 3:2 polyrhythms, ideas like three-bar patterns, beat displacement, and more. Each of these more advanced concepts quickly brings things back to how they might function within a groove. Such an approach works to strengthen rhythmic awareness, leading to a deeper overall understanding. A welcome update to a classic, Time Manipulation remains an excellent single-book introduction to these concepts. The open format sparks ideas and creativity while getting a drummer thinking about new ideas. Fun, inspiring, and educational. Martin Patmos
Designed to develop coordination in a groove context, Time Manipulation features an open format that favors exploration. The bulk of the exercises consists of sets of one-bar beats, where a simple groove builds in complexity. What's special is the relationship between the simple and complex grooves, and the related patterns in between therm. They can be mixed and matched, ostinato ride patterns can be swapped in, bass drum phrasing can be altered, and more, allowing for a lot of creative exploration. The collection of phrases in both 4/4 and 12/8 develops a solid foundation in groove, along a spectrum from simple to complex.
Later there are sections that delve into 4:3 and 3:2 polyrhythms, ideas like three-bar patterns, beat displacement, and more. Each of these more advanced concepts quickly brings things back to how they might function within a groove. Such an approach works to strengthen rhythmic awareness, leading to a deeper overall understanding. A welcome update to a classic, Time Manipulation remains an excellent single-book introduction to these concepts. The open format sparks ideas and creativity while getting a drummer thinking about new ideas. Fun, inspiring, and educational. Martin Patmos
The goal of this book, first published in 1992, is to expand rhythmic vocabulary. To achieve this, 68 simple basic grooves—4/4 binary and ternary, 12/8, etc.—are developed into complex patterns over 16 bars using polyrhythms, anticipations, displacements, and ultimately metric modulation. These patterns can then be combined with various ostinato patterns.
Each of the seven sections also includes numerous additional ideas for interpreting the 16-bar sequences. By shifting rhythmic elements on two levels simultaneously, long forms are created that require a good sense of overview—just don’t lose track!
This is definitely not a collection of licks. The material is demanding, precise, highly informative, and very musical. The new expanded edition now also includes audio and, in some cases, visual materials.
Each of the seven sections also includes numerous additional ideas for interpreting the 16-bar sequences. By shifting rhythmic elements on two levels simultaneously, long forms are created that require a good sense of overview—just don’t lose track!
This is definitely not a collection of licks. The material is demanding, precise, highly informative, and very musical. The new expanded edition now also includes audio and, in some cases, visual materials.
In this expanded new edition of the instructional book Time Manipulation, first published in 1992 and available in both English and French editions, renowned drummer and author Alain Rieder introduces the world of groove-based rhythmic effects in an innovative way. He does so through exercises built around carefully selected, structured patterns, ranging from absolute basics to highly complex Time Manipulation and Rhythmic Modulation exercises.
The book is designed to develop drum set coordination within a groove context. The 67 exercises in Chapters 1–6 each consist of 16 one-bar patterns, which are played twice. The exercises should be practiced in the specified order within each section, but they do not need to be followed sequentially from 1 to 67—they can be learned individually. The introduction provides a detailed explanation of how to work with this book.
Sections 1–6 cover basic patterns, polyrhythmic patterns, anticipations (syncopations) using eighth and sixteenth notes, beat displacements (shifting an entire beat), 12/8 patterns, and swing & shuffle feels. Chapter 7 then explores Rhythmic Modulations in depth, for which the previous chapters serve as excellent preparation. The book concludes with a comprehensive list of all exercises, making it easy to locate the corresponding audio files available for download on Alain Rieder’s website.
While the book begins with simple basic patterns, its overall concept is geared toward advanced and professional drummers looking to expand their rhythmic vocabulary and gain a deeper understanding of the actual perceived effect of groove patterns. This method is also highly recommended as part of a structured drum lesson plan, as its well-thought-out pedagogical approach and unique content make it a valuable addition to any practice routine.
The practical concepts presented in 1992 were relevant then and remain so today. It is great to see this classic instructional book getting a new edition.
Axel Mikolajczak, 11 Septembre 2018
The book is designed to develop drum set coordination within a groove context. The 67 exercises in Chapters 1–6 each consist of 16 one-bar patterns, which are played twice. The exercises should be practiced in the specified order within each section, but they do not need to be followed sequentially from 1 to 67—they can be learned individually. The introduction provides a detailed explanation of how to work with this book.
Sections 1–6 cover basic patterns, polyrhythmic patterns, anticipations (syncopations) using eighth and sixteenth notes, beat displacements (shifting an entire beat), 12/8 patterns, and swing & shuffle feels. Chapter 7 then explores Rhythmic Modulations in depth, for which the previous chapters serve as excellent preparation. The book concludes with a comprehensive list of all exercises, making it easy to locate the corresponding audio files available for download on Alain Rieder’s website.
While the book begins with simple basic patterns, its overall concept is geared toward advanced and professional drummers looking to expand their rhythmic vocabulary and gain a deeper understanding of the actual perceived effect of groove patterns. This method is also highly recommended as part of a structured drum lesson plan, as its well-thought-out pedagogical approach and unique content make it a valuable addition to any practice routine.
The practical concepts presented in 1992 were relevant then and remain so today. It is great to see this classic instructional book getting a new edition.
Axel Mikolajczak, 11 Septembre 2018
For students who are not quite ready for Gary Chester's The New Breed, this book could prove the perfect introduction to some of it's concepts. Time Manipulation begins by introducing a series of ostinatos for the hi-hat or ride cymbal (and sometimes hi-hat pedal) that are comparable to Chester's "systems".
Granted, there are no instructions indicating that one should play them with both left- and right-hand lead (sic), but there is nothing to stop someone doing that, either.
Following the ostinatos are over fifty pages of exercises with various bass drum and snare patterns, each of which is to be practiced with each of the ostinatos. Had Rieder have written all of the exercises out, the book would have easily filled several hundred pages; by simply printing the basic exercises once and listing all the various ride patterns that can be played with them, his book covers a lot more ground than its 112 pages would indicate. Whereas The New Breed's reading exercises are great for developing reading and technique, individual measures do not always make practical drum beats. Time Manipulation, by contrast, offers one-bar patterns that are very realistic in terms of potential for everyday use. They progress logically in difficulty from simple quarter and 8th-note patterns to 16th notes and 12/8 time. Because it starts with a basic 8th-note ride pattern,the book can be used as a beginning drumset method. By the end, the student will have a good command of a variety of time feels.
Rick Mattingly, Modern Drummer, March 1995.
Rick Mattingly, Modern Drummer, March 1995.
When I immersed myself in Alain Rieder’s book, I quickly realized how valuable it was. Short, clear, and concise texts, leaving no room for unnecessary complexity; exercises built on simple foundations, requiring only a moderate level of reading ability; modern concepts (polyrhythms, anticipations, displacements, linear phrasing, double bass drumming, metric and polymetric modulations…)—everything is in place to bring this book to life and give it originality.Masterfully written by an author eager to deliver the message of modern rhythms in the most direct way possible, this book is by no means a headache. On the contrary, you’ll likely be surprised at how quickly each chapter can be broken down and how every section is genuinely designed for playing.
But don’t be mistaken—“Time Manipulation” is not a collection of licks to memorize and pull out at the right moment. No, much like Gary Chester’s work, this book defines how to successfully play certain rhythmic formulas by providing only the essential building blocks, which must then be adapted to one’s own personality.
The method’s five main sections include 64 exercises of 16 bars each, designed to be played with various cymbal ostinatos. This approach ultimately offers more than 6,500 possible combinations—an impressive number! A useful addition: printed charts in the final pages of the book allow drummers to track their progress, such as playing exercise X with ostinato Y, and so on.
I personally appreciated the quick results I achieved while working on the time displacement section (Section 4, page 51) and the linear phrasing exercises (page 80). I also had a lot of fun experimenting with the excellent metric and polymetric modulation phrases (examples 1 to 27, page 94). Check them out—you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised.
In Time Manipulation, Alain Rieder shares everything he learned from great musicians like Ralph Humphrey, Joe Porcaro, and Steve Houghton during his time at PIT. Add to that a deep study of the styles of drummers such as Garibaldi, Gadd, Colaiuta, Weckl, and Erskine, and you’ll get an idea of the rich blend of influences behind this book. That said, simply copying others does not make a great method, and here, Rieder has truly crafted an outstanding educational work. It is based on the playing of innovative drummers, but let me emphasize—this book is by no means a collection of their licks. That’s where the true artistry of the author lies. Q.E.D.
Should I also mention that this book is recommended by Dave Weckl and Peter Erskine?
Alain Gozzo - Batteur Magazine, Janvier 1994.
“Time Manipulation” provides a fundamental approach to working on groove, beyond styles and trends. Its structure is open enough for each drummer to bring in their own ideas and creativity, using the book’s core rhythmic elements—from the most basic to the most advanced—to build a solid improvisational vocabulary.
But don’t be mistaken—“Time Manipulation” is not a collection of licks to memorize and pull out at the right moment. No, much like Gary Chester’s work, this book defines how to successfully play certain rhythmic formulas by providing only the essential building blocks, which must then be adapted to one’s own personality.
The method’s five main sections include 64 exercises of 16 bars each, designed to be played with various cymbal ostinatos. This approach ultimately offers more than 6,500 possible combinations—an impressive number! A useful addition: printed charts in the final pages of the book allow drummers to track their progress, such as playing exercise X with ostinato Y, and so on.
I personally appreciated the quick results I achieved while working on the time displacement section (Section 4, page 51) and the linear phrasing exercises (page 80). I also had a lot of fun experimenting with the excellent metric and polymetric modulation phrases (examples 1 to 27, page 94). Check them out—you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised.
In Time Manipulation, Alain Rieder shares everything he learned from great musicians like Ralph Humphrey, Joe Porcaro, and Steve Houghton during his time at PIT. Add to that a deep study of the styles of drummers such as Garibaldi, Gadd, Colaiuta, Weckl, and Erskine, and you’ll get an idea of the rich blend of influences behind this book. That said, simply copying others does not make a great method, and here, Rieder has truly crafted an outstanding educational work. It is based on the playing of innovative drummers, but let me emphasize—this book is by no means a collection of their licks. That’s where the true artistry of the author lies. Q.E.D.
Should I also mention that this book is recommended by Dave Weckl and Peter Erskine?
Alain Gozzo - Batteur Magazine, Janvier 1994.
It is a very well thought-out book. I really liked the examples of beats you used. It seems to give an immediate result without sounding technically overbearing. Great work! Joey Baron
Alain Rieder has carefully assembled and designed this collection of beats (with various accompanying ostinatos), and it's suitable for drummers of most every level. As an adjunct to a musical course of study, I can recommend it. Peter Erskine
I find that Alain's book "Time Manipulation" can help in many different areas such as reading, coordinated independence and phrasing. Used as a tool in a complete organized practice routine, I recommend it. Dave Weckl
When I immersed myself in the pages written by Alain Rieder, I quickly realized that the book was worthy of the greatest interest. Alain Gozzo, Batteur Magazine
These practice-oriented contents were already up-to-date in 1992, and they have remained so to this day. It is very good that this classic textbook is now being published in an extended new edition.Sticks Magazine (D), 2018
Fun, inspiring, and educational Modern Drummer Magazine (USA), 2019
The material is sophisticated, precise, highly informative and very musical. Drums & Percussion Magazine (D), 2019
Newsletter
By subscribing to my newsletter, you will receive updates on new blog articles and exercises, promotions, and upcoming methods!
Upon confirming your registration, you will be able to download:
- excerpts from Time Initiation & Time Manipulation.
- explanations of my Pattern Morphing System concept.
- metronome tracks to use with the exercises.
- previews of an upcoming advanced and innovative method.
Drum Books | Time Manipulation | Alain Rieder