After two years of work the 2026 RCM Percussion Syllabus is now available! I would like to acknowledge the generous support of the RCM leadership and staff, the syllabus reviewers, as well as dozens of symphonic, chamber, pop, rudimental, drum set, frame drum, djembe, Arabic percussion, Afro-Cuban percussion, Brazilian percussion, S. Indian percussion, and musicology specialists that we consulted (lists at the end). And not least I would like to thank my partner Richard Moore.
The new syllabus allows candidates to craft their own course of study. Although snare drum and mallets comprise the core of any program, it is possible to focus on orchestral, drum set and popular, or global percussion music. Beginning in Level 5, candidates can utilize the Open Choice option, which allows percussionists to engage with repertoire and instruments from diverse cultures and traditions.
Teachers have been asking me for help navigating the new syllabus, which at 99 pages, is one of the larger documents in the RCM collection (we even beat the Violin Syllabus by a few pages – take that String World!). With larger lists come concerns about potential higher costs of putting students through an exam. I will address the financial worries by talking about strategic use of the syllabus, and then I will offer my core list recommendations.
Strategic Use
Percussion, being a small market, does not have the benefit of RCM publications of works like piano, violin, or theory. The new percussion lists look like a large daunting mass at first glance, which could prompt the thought of costs associated with buying many items. I want to emphasize that there is a kind of underlying architecture to the lists which would allow a student or teacher to craft a more economical strategy. Let me explain.
In general we chose publications that could be used for multiple levels, and then maximized usage of those works. Therefore in each List (A, B, C, D), there are multiple parallel longitudinal tracks, or streams, that a student could follow for successive levels. For example, let’s take intermediate snare drum (List A, levels 5 – 8). One teacher might prefer Mitchell Peters and another might prefer Garwood Whaley, Jacques Delécluse, Siegfried Fink, Ben Hans, Alfred’s Drum Method, Hal Leonard School for Snare Drum, the Rudimental Cookbook, or Wilcoxon. There are nine streams mentioned here which accommodate a wide range of tastes, and all streams are indeed available in the syllabus. There is no need for students and teachers to use multiple streams and buy numerous books; they can just choose one or two streams and minimize spending as they progress from Levels 5 – 8. Of course, if people like variety and can afford it, a more diversified program is possible.
This general underlying organization of multiple streams also applies to List B Mallets, List C Drum set or Multiple Percussion, List D Timpani, and the Etudes. In later articles I could talk about these streams in greater detail. For now, I hope this brief outline allays fears associated with the perceived need to buy many publications and offers an insight into how to use the lists strategically. Now let’s turn to my core list recommendations.
Core List Recommendations
A core list is the baseline main collection that a teacher would use, which is augmented by other works based on the needs and interests of a student. I am sharing titles I would prioritize in my core list; other teachers will have their own ideas for a core list. I often heard from students or teachers that the problem with certification routes like RCM was the limited repertoire choices. So I didn’t want to put together small, highly curated lists like ABRSM or Trinity College London (the two UK systems). What I did was follow the AMEB (Australian) route of creating a more encyclopedic list, from which teachers could create their own core list and then supplement from a wide range of selections that would keep students excited about percussion.
I would like to share my core list recommendations based on 1) high educational value 2) accessibility (in print) 3) recent publication (21st century) 4) large span (the range of levels a publication can be used for – large span means more value for the purchase cost). I will suggest core works for multi-list publications, snare drum (List A), mallets (List B), drum set and multiple percussion (List C), timpani (List D), and the Etudes.
MULTI-LIST PUBLICATIONS
10 Beginner and Easy Solos for Snare Drum and Mallets (2026, Editions MinT) Prep – Level 4, Lists A and B
8 Easy and Intermediate Solos for Percussion (2026, Editions MinT) Levels 5 – 6, Lists A, B, C, D
Dr. Gina Ryan
In 10 Beginner and Easy Solos, Dr. Gina Ryan offers fresh concert solos composed specifically for the syllabus update. This collection contains works for both snare drum (List A) and mallets (List B) aimed at Prep – Level 4. 8 Easy and Intermediate Solos include solos for snare drum, mallets, multi-percussion, and timpani (Lists A, B, C, D) and targets Levels 5 – 6. Some solos can be played as duets! There are bilingual explanations for all the pieces. With these two purchases teachers and students will have excellent compositions for multiple lists (A, B, C, D) in Levels Prep – 6.
Dr. Gina Ryan is a professor at the department of music at l’Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM); she has composed, commissioned, and performed music for stages around the world. 10 Beginner and Easy Solos $18 C PDF or $23 C hard copy; 8 Easy and Intermediate Solos $20 C PDF or $26 C hard copy.
CORE LIST FOR SNARE DRUM (LIST A)
- Hal Leonard School for Snare Drum – a Beginning Drum Method (2012), Ben Hans and John S. Pratt John S. Pratt is an American legend, and Ben Hans is involved in a wide range of projects at Hal Leonard. This is an excellent introduction to the snare drum; it’s Hal Leonard’s answer to the Alfred’s Drum Method from 1987 (which is also in the syllabus). Both multiple bounce rolls and double stroke rolls are introduced. There is a rudimental emphasis to the book, so be prepared to play marches! We have used selections in Prep – Level 7. $26.98 C
- Intermediate Snare Drum Studies (1976, Try Publishing), Mitchell Peters Mitchell Peters holds a massive influence in concert percussion literature and education in North America and beyond. We have basically entered his entire corpus of work into the syllabus. This snare drum book is a classic. There are also the Elementary Snare Drum Studies and the Advanced Snare Drum Studies in the series, and all of these together form a stream that a student could pursue from elementary through advanced levels. The four introductory exercises in Intermediate Snare Drum Studies can be used in a multitude of creative ways, including practicing soft snare drumming or building stamina, as well as working on basic tambourine, triangle, and cymbal technique. My teacher Pierre Béluse used these books extensively when he taught at McGill University. This book is spread out over Levels 5 – 8, List A. $25.99 C.
- The Rudimental Cookbook – a Definitive Statement in Rudimental Drumming (1993, Row-Loff), Edward Freytag This classic rudimental snare drum book offers progressive selections that are spread over Level 3 – ARCT. Brian Thurgood encouraged its use when he was head of the Grant McEwan drumset program. I really like the Supplementary Rudimental Technique Exercises. $19.80 US.
- First 50 Solos You Should Play on Snare Drum (Hal Leonard) This recent excellent collection was compiled by Ben Hans; it includes both concert and rudimental solos by a variety of composers arranged in a progressive order. We have spread selections over Levels 3 – 10. Concert style pieces include selections by Jacques Delécluse, Gert Bomhof, and Morris Goldenberg. Rudimental pieces include the traditional American solos Downfall of Paris, Connecticut Halftime, and Three Camps. There are also selections by John S. Pratt, Ben Hans, Sperie Caras, Frank Colonnato, and Robert W. Buggert. $25.49 C.
5. The All-American Drummer – 150 Rudimental Solos (1945, Ludwig, Alfred), Charley Wilcoxon This American classic revolves around the application of the 26 standard rudiments. This book starts with short 16 bar introductory solos and builds to full page length solos. Great for building rudimental chops and sight reading. Orchestral musicians also use this work but practice at soft dynamics. We have spread out this book over Levels 2 – 10. $29.99 C.
6. Douze Études pour Caisse-Claire (1964, Alphonse Leduc), Jacques Delécluse When I introduce the syllabus, sometimes I joke that we got rid of Delécluse; this is only remotely funny because of the immense international impact of his work over the last 60 years. Orchestra auditions in North America often include a solo from the Douze Études (Twelve Studies), usually the 9th etude. If you’re a percussion major in N. America, you’re probably going to play Delécluse on snare drum, timpani, or mallets. His snare solos contain imaginative phrasing, quirky rhythms, unexpected accents, sudden dynamic shifts, and challenging use ornaments. We have utilized solos from the Twelve Etudes for Levels 9 – ARCT. $29.99 C
7. Nine French-American Rudimental Solos Vol. 2 (2011, Bachovich), Joseph Tompkins If memory serves, Tom Sherwood of Cleveland Orchestra fame said in a webinar (I’m paraphrasing) that the leading edge of snare drumming literature was Delécluse and the French-American Rudimental Solos by Joseph Tompkins. Tompkins studied Guy Lefèvre’s Le Tambour -Technique Supérieure and married the French rudimental style with the American rudimental style. The result is a fresh and original collection consisting of three volumes; there is actually now a three volume bundle! I especially like the 2nd volume, and use solos 1 and 5 as a warm up. We have placed solos from the three volumes in Level 10 and ARCT. $52.50 C.
Summary of Core List for Snare Drum (List A)
Hal Leonard School for Snare Drum – a Beginning Drum Method (2012), Ben Hans and John S. Pratt – Level 7
Intermediate Snare Drum Studies (1976, Try Publishing), Mitchell Peters Levels 4 – 8
The Rudimental Cookbook – a Definitive Statement in Rudimental Drumming (1993, Row-Loff), Edward Freytag Levels 3 – ARCT
First 50 Solos You Should Play on Snare Drum (Hal Leonard) Levels 3 – 10
The All-American Drummer – 150 Rudimental Solos (1945, Ludwig, Alfred), Charley Wilcoxon 2 – 10
Douze Études pour Caisse-Claire (1964, Alphonse Leduc), Jacques Delécluse Level 9 – ARCT
Nine French-American Rudimental Solos Vol. 2 (2011, Bachovich), Joseph Tompkins Level 10 – ARCT
CORE LIST FOR MALLETS (LIST B)
- Modern School for Mallet Keyboard Instruments (2010, Hal Leonard), Jim Sewery, Ben Hans, Tom Schneller This classically oriented book contains technical studies, excerpts from the orchestral repertoire, melodic studies, etudes by Morris Goldenberg, and solos appropriate for recitals and exams. Teachers will find works from the canon by composers such as Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Beethoven, Bizet, Mendelssohn, and Ravel. 2 and 4 mallet studies are included. We have used this book extensively and the selections are spread out from Prep to ARCT for List B. Not all the Goldenberg Etudes from the classic blue book Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, and Vibraphone are included in the new book; we kept the original etude numbers referenced in the original edition. $43.99 C.
- Glockenspiel Method (2022, Hal Leonard), Evelyn Glennie This wonderful collection of introductory glockenspiel etudes and songs was written by Dame Evelyn Glennie, one of the great percussionists of our time. It only covers Prep to Level 2, List B, but I have included it here on account of its high educational value. Some of the songs require the student to play two simultaneous melodies to improve hand independence. Evelyn also wrote pieces dedicated to tone and touch, double stops, sound effects, and hand dampening. Online access to audio and video files. $23.99 C.
- First 50 Songs Series (Hal Leonard)
- First 50 Songs You Should Play on the Bells/Glockenspiel (HL) Prep – Level 4, $18.99 C.
- First 50 Songs You Should Play on Xylophone (HL) Levels 4 – 8, $25.99 C.
- First 50 Songs You Should Play on Vibraphone (HL) Levels 5 – 8, $29.99 C.
We introduced this fun series as a parallel mallet stream for students who are also interested in popular music and jazz. Collectively, selections are spread out over Prep – 8: Disney songs, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Adele, Katy Perry, Paul Simon, John Lennon, Milt Jackson, Duke Ellington, Henry Mancini, Scott Joplin, Antonio Carlos Jobim.
4. Xylophone Rags (1984, Meredith), George Hamilton Green (Ed. Randy Eyles) This classic contains 8 original solos with piano accompaniment by Green. Almost every percussion major in N. America has played a Green xylophone rag or two at some point in their educational career. These rags are found in Levels 8 – 10. $37.49 C
5. Marimba: Technique Through Music (2005, Innovative), Mark Ford This book is a collection of 16 etudes that are designed to help the intermediate four-mallet marimbist work on specific stroke techniques. Students have the best chance to build technique and musicality by working on short selections in a variety of styles. We have utilized the etudes in Levels 5 – 8. The book comes with online video access. $41.99 C.
Summary of Core List for Mallets (List B)
Modern School for Mallet Keyboard Instruments (2010, Hal Leonard), Jim Sewery, Ben Hans, Tom Schneller Prep – ARCT
Glockenspiel Method (2022, Hal Leonard), Evelyn Glennie Prep – Level 2
First 50 Songs You Should Play on the Bells/Glockenspiel (HL)Prep – Level 4
First 50 Songs You Should Play on Xylophone (HL) Levels 4 – 8
First 50 Songs You Should Play on Vibraphone (HL) Levels 5 – 8
Xylophone Rags (1984, Meredith), George Hamilton Green (Ed. Randy Eyles) Levels 8 – 10
Marimba: Technique Through Music (2005, Innovative), Mark Ford Levels 5 – 8
CORE LIST FOR DRUM SET (LIST C)
- Hal Leonard Drumset Method – Complete Edition (2017) by Kennan Wylie with Gregg Bissonette; and the companion Drumset Method Songbook This is a highly structured beginner to upper intermediate method that covers a range of topics, from foundational set up and tuning, to more complex independence, jazz, funk, latin, and brush playing. The book comes with hours of online media access. The companion Drumset Method Songbook offers 15 progressive solos with full transcriptions and backing tracks. In exams, students would play with backing tracks for selections such as Billy Jean, Eye of the Tiger, Army of One, Black Velvet, Dancing Queen. Combined, both selections offer List C options from Level 1 – 8. The Drumset Method – Complete Edition is $43.99 C; the Songbook is $21.99 C.
- Workin’ Drums – 50 Solos for Drumset (Hal Leonard), Ben Hans For teachers and students who prefer fully composed etudes for drumset like the Joe Holmquist books (which we kept), this publication is for you! We have spread out the 50 solos from Levels 2 – 8, List C. $17.99 US.
- Erskine Essentials iOS APPS These apps offer a great way to learn to play the drumset. We used the Mintzer Big Band Essentials and the Code of Funk apps with intermediate to advanced selections, Levels 7 – 10, List C. There is an inbuilt mixer so users can take out the drums or boost the volume of certain instruments in the ensemble. Lots of fun! Students should perform the exam with the backing tracks. $7.99 – $9.99.
- The Art of Bop Drumming (John Riley) John Riley is best known for his definitive educational books on jazz drumming. The Art of Bop Drumming introduces the intermediate student to comping, time playing, charts, brush work, and solo creation. Other books in the series are Beyond Bop Drumming, Jazz Drummer’s Workshop, and The Master Drummer. Students will have a chance to craft their own solos using John’s approach, but written music must be brought for the examiner. Transcriptions of drum solos by Max Roach, Elvin Jones, Billy Higgins, and Philly Joe Jones are included in some of these works. Ultimately our goal is to train students to improvise, but currently they can’t improvise in the exam! The memory requirement to play transcriptions is based on the rationale that if students memorize the solos, there is a greater chance that they will be able to embody the jazz language and improvise. John’s incredible body of work (the four books mentioned) is spread out over Levels 5 – ARCT, in both List C, and the Etude sections. $45.99 C.
5. Drum Standards – Transcriptions of 10 Classic Jazz Performances (2001, Hal Leonard) This book has transcriptions of solos by Philly Joe Jones, Max Roach, Roy Haynes, Tony Williams, Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, and Joe Morello. In the exam, the focus is on the drum set solo portion of the piece, and there is a deduction if the solos are not memorized. Candidates will find these entries in the “Drum Set Solo Transcriptions” portion of List C, Level 8 – ARCT. $19.99 US.
Summary of Core List for Drumset (List C)
Hal Leonard Drumset Method – Complete Edition (2017) by Kennan Wylie with Gregg Bissonette Levels 1 – 8
Drumset Method Songbook Levels 2 – 5
Workin’ Drums – 50 Solos for Drumset (Hal Leonard), Ben Hans Levels 2 – 8
Erskine Essentials iOS APPS Levels 7 – 10
The Art of Bop Drumming (John Riley) Levels 5 -8; other Riley publications Levels 9 – ARCT
Drum Standards – Transcriptions of 10 Classic Jazz Performances (2001, Hal Leonard) Level 8 – ARCT
CORE LIST FOR MULTIPLE PERCUSSION (LIST C)
Multiplicity (2013, Rowloff Productions), Edward Freytag This is a fun collection of 10 progressive multiple percussion solos. We have spread out the solos over Levels 5 – 7. $17.99 C.
CORE LIST FOR TIMPANI (LIST D)
- Etudes for Timpani, Volume 1 (1958, Doblinger), by Richard Hochrainer) This classic work contains a logical progression of studies beginning with two timpani etudes of relative ease, building up to more complex etudes for intermediate and advanced students. Alex Cohen, Principal Timpanist at Calgary Phil uses this book for his students. There are actually three volumes! We have used etudes from Vol 1 for Levels 5 – 9. $29.99 US.
2. Modern Method for Tympani (1948, Belwin), Saul Goodman This is another classic work by former New York Philharmonic timpanist Saul Goodman; it offers fundamentals, two drum etudes, three and four drum etudes, as well as orchestral repertoire. There is an updated and re-engraved version edited by Anthony Cirone, Roland Kohloff, and Gary Werdesheim. For List D, we have placed two drum etudes in Levels 5 and 6; three drum etudes in Level 7; four drum etudes in Level 8. $35.99 C.
3. Exercies, Etudes and Solos for the Timpani (2002, Batterie Music), Raynor Carroll Raynor Carroll, former Principal Percussionist of the LA Phil and a PAS Hall of Fame inductee, also edited the most commonly used collection of orchestral repertoire books. His massive timpani book contains more than 500 exercises, 100 etudes, and 17 solos for two, three, and four timpani. We have included exercises and etudes in the Etude sections of Levels 5 – 8. Solos appear in List D for Levels 9 – ARCT. $17.05 US.
Summary of Core List for Timpani (List D)
Etudes for Timpani, Volume 1 (1958, Doblinger), by Richard Hochrainer) Levels 5 – 9
Modern Method for Tympani (1948, Belwin), Saul Goodman Levels 5 – 8
Exercises, Etudes and Solos for the Timpani (2002, Batterie Music), Raynor Carroll Levels 5 – 8 (Etudes) and Levels 9 – ARCT (List D)
CORE LIST FOR ETUDES (TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS)
- Complementary Percussion (2011, Bachovich), Keith Aleo Keith Aleo’s ground breaking book fills a huge gap in percussion education and performance practice; it offers exercises, etudes, and duets for orchestral instruments that we pay less attention to: tambourine, triangle, cymbals, and bass drum. He argues that the term “accessory percussion” should be changed to “complementary percussion” to reflect a more dignified role. We have spread out these thoughtful and musical works from Levels 5 – 10. $67.99 C
2. Four-Mallet Marimba Playing – A Musical Approach for All Levels (2003, Hal Leonard), Nancy Zeltsman Nancy Zeltsman’s wonderful book offers 50 short etudes to help beginning and intermediate players develop four mallet marimba playing in a musical way. We have spread the 50 etudes over Levels 4 – 8. The book also has 18 classical and contemporary solos for recitals and juries, appropriate for intermediate and advanced performers. There are helpful guidelines for mallet selection, grip, tone production, strokes, rolls, sticking, and phrasing. $25.20 US.
3. Conga Drummer’s Guidebook (2006, Sher Music), Michael Spiro, with Josh Ryan The addition of the Open Choice Selection in Levels 5 – 10 meant that we could include works in the Etude section that focus on global percussion. One of the great conga educators, Michael Spiro, who taught at Indiana University, has written this terrific book for intermediate and advanced players. It contains phrasing ideas, clave explanations, 12/8 coordination exercises, quinto soloing concepts, stamina exercises, and heel-toe technique. We have spread out the exercises over Levels 5 – 10. $59.99 C.
4. 12 Solos for Bodhran and 11 Tar Solos (2013, Frame Drum Music), Glen Velez Four time Grammy Award Winner Glen Velez is the founding father of the modern frame drum movement. He has been an inspiration for so many of us because of his incredible artistry and his polyrhythmic Handance approach to teaching. Glen has authored a highly structured and creative series of manuals for students wishing to learn frame drum techniques and solos. We have spread out his original Tar and Bodhran solos over Levels 5 – 10. Highly recommended! $59.99 C.
5. Instruction Course for Xylophone (1984, Meredith), George Hamilton Green (Eds. Randy Eyles & Garwood Whaley) This American classic is a 50 lesson comprehensive course on Ragtime and Blues xylophone playing, including exercises for improvising and building technique. Green sold these lessons in the 1920’s and 1930’s. We have utilized exercises and studies over Levels 2 – 10. Highly recommended as a preparation to play Green’s Xylophone Rags. $29.99 C.
6. Spatial Studies for Hitting Things, Book 1 (2018, Bachovich), Josh Jones Josh Jones is one of the great technicians and educators of our time. His mammoth book on snare drum contains exercises and explanations dealing with topics such as relaxation, efficiency in movement, and body awareness. I can’t say enough about the thoughtful and original exercises that explore stroke types, continuous motion, accents, dynamic shifts, flams, and paradiddles. We have used short combinations of exercises over Levels 2 -7. $60 US.
Summary of Core List for Etudes
Complementary Percussion (2011, Bachovich), Keith Aleo Levels 5 – 10
Four-Mallet Marimba Playing – A Musical Approach for All Levels (2003, Hal Leonard), Nancy Zeltsman Levels 4 – 8
Conga Drummer’s Guidebook (2006, Sher Music), Michael Spiro, with Josh Ryan Levels 5 – 10
12 Solos for Bodhran and 11 Tar Solos, (2013, Frame Drum Music), Glen Velez Levels 5 – 7; the succeeding publications in the series cover Levels 8 – 10
Instruction Course for Xylophone (1984, Meredith), George Hamilton Green (Eds. Randy Eyles & Garwood Whaley) Levels 2 – 10
Spatial Studies for Hitting Things, Book 1 (2018, Bachovich), Josh Jones Levels 2 – 7
People to Thank:
RCM Senior Staff: Dr Janet Lopinski
RCM Staff: Alison Sloan, Publishing Director; McKenzie Warriner, Interim Manager, Learning and Assessment Materials
RCM Reviewers: Kristie Ibrahim, Mike Schuett, Greg Samek, Chris Sies
RCM Syllabus Partner: Richard Moore
Specialist Consultants:
Symphonic/Chamber consultants: Evelyn Glennie, Bob Becker, Matt Howard, Josh Jones, Alexander Cohen, Sean Buckley, Nia Devetsis, Chris Sies, Rod Squance, Graeme Tofflemire, Mike Schuett, Bob Fenske, Martin Bui, Jacob Kryger, Brian Thurgood, Nicole Arendt, Henry Wu, Victoria Sparks, Ed Choi, Vern Griffiths, Darrell Bueckert, Aiyun Huang, Beverly Johnston, Fabrice Marandola, Erin Donovan, Joe Porter, Joseph Tompkins, Adam Mason, the Calgary Phil and Edmonton Symphony percussion sections
Drum set consultants: Terri Lyne Carrington, Ryan Pliska, Mark Segger, Jon McCaslin, Brian Thurgood, Tyler Hornby, Jeff Fafard, Jim Johnston, Sanah Kadoura
Drum Core and Rudimental consultants: Ian Hale, Brian Thurgood, Darrell Bueckert, John Wooton
Global Music consultants: Glen Velez, Trichy and Suba Sankaran, Sal Ferreras, Bob Becker, Amy Molinelli, Jean-Christophe Leroy, Rick Lazar, Trudy Hipwell, Shawn Mativetsky, Bob Fenske, Jeff Fafard, Adam Mason, Joe Porter, Matt Groenheide, Jodi Groenheide
Composition Consultants: Gina Ryan, Vince Ho, Samuel Kerr, Amy Brandon
Musicology and Diversity Consultants: Susan McClary, Sally Mcarthur, Erin Donovan, PAS Diversity Alliance
AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board) examiner consultant: Rebecca Lloyd-Jones