Start Somewhere to Go Somewhere

In Start Somewhere to Go Somewhere, Ilan Rubin provides a system for taking core drumming concepts such as rudiments and applying variations to them to come up with a full vocabulary of fill and solo ideas for the drumset.

“The purpose of this book is to accomplish a few things that should be beneficial to every drummer, regardless of skill level or genre,” says Rubin. “On the macro level, it’s meant to show you how creativity can develop and flourish from the more basic elements of drumming, while keeping musicality at the forefront and strengthening your weaker side. On the micro level, it takes a step-by-step approach from warm-up exercises and routines, to applying rudiments to the kit, gaining balance and consistency, and eventually showing the near limitless possibility of mixing up all of the above.”

In the book, you will learn:

• Taking an initial basic idea/sticking/pattern rudiment and systematically modifying it to gain a huge arsenal of ideas based on one concept.
• Technique-building exercises to train both hands in equilibrium.
• Ways to apply the most important rudiments and stickings to your playing, including diddles, flams, hertas, drags, and more.
• A graduated approach to taking each sticking and rudiment from a basic exercise to an orchestrated drumset concept.
• Fully ambidextrous/mirrored stickings to develop your limbs equally, whether you play righty, lefty, or open-handed.
• Real-world orchestration ideas for fills solos.
• Includes audio examples recorded in Ilan’s personal studio.

“Hudson Music is very excited to have Ilan join our roster of artists/authors. He is admired worldwide for his drumming and this is his first foray into creating an educational product. With the same skill and attention to detail that he applies to his own songwriting, practice, recording, and live performance, Ilan has (not surprisingly) hit a grand slam with this book. It’s a new and useful take on classic concepts that can be immediately applied in real world fills and solos,” said Hudson Music Senior Editor Joe Bergamini.

The book is 184 pages, spiral-bound, and includes audio examples.

Ilan Rubin is the drummer for Nine Inch Nails, becoming the youngest inductee in the history of the Rock ‘n‘ Roll Hall of Fame when inducted in 2020 with the band. He is a member of Angels and Airwaves, has recorded/performed with Paramore, Beck, Phantogram, Danny Elfman, M83, and appears on several film scores. He is currently writing, producing, and performing all the instruments for his solo project. Start Somewhere to Go Somewhere is Ilan’s first educational book.