I am always excited to read and play through new drum books that deal with rudimental snare drum technique. Dealing with snare drum fundamentals has been something that I've studied and practiced since day one. I still continue to work on these things myself and share them with my students.
Jeff Asselin was nice enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions about his fantastic new book The Rudimental Blueprint: The Burrows Method. There is a lot of great information in here so check it out:
Jeff Asselin - The Rudimental Blueprint
The Rudimental Blueprint is a comprehensive guide to developing snare drum technique through a structured, musical, and highly scaffolded approach. The book features over 100 original solos and duets built around essential rudiments, all supported by more than 675 companion videos accessible through QR codes.
The primary goal of the text is to move beyond rote memorization of rudiments and instead help students apply them in real musical contexts. It’s designed to build not only technical proficiency, but also musicality, reading ability, and confidence. Ultimately, the book aims to function like a Vygotskian guided learning system—almost like having a private teacher built into the page.
2) What was the motivation and inspiration for putting together this method?
This book is deeply rooted in the legacy of my late teacher, Chuck Burrows, who authored a series of pedagogical materials that had a huge impact on my development. When he passed away, he left me the rights to his work, and I felt a strong responsibility to preserve and expand on his teaching philosophy.
At the same time, my experience as an educator—especially working with students in a wide range of settings—highlighted a gap in how rudiments are often taught. Too often, students learn rudiments in isolation without understanding how they function musically. This book was my way of bridging that gap by combining Chuck’s foundational ideas with a more modern, constructivist approach to learning.
3) How does your book differ from other snare drum method books currently on the market? What makes it unique?
What sets The Rudimental Blueprint apart is its emphasis on scaffolded, applied learning. Rather than presenting rudiments as isolated exercises, the book integrates them into musical solos that gradually increase in complexity through guided instruction.
Another key difference is the integration of technology. With over 675 videos, students can see and hear each example performed at multiple tempos, often starting with slower, counted versions and progressing to full performance tempo. This creates a much more accessible and supportive learning experience.
Pedagogically, the book is grounded in constructivist principles—students build knowledge step-by-step, with clear guidance and modeling. It’s not just a collection of exercises; it’s a complete learning framework.
4) How do you recommend students and teachers approach working through your materials?
I recommend approaching the book sequentially, as each section is designed to build on the previous one. The key is to take advantage of the scaffolded structure—start with the slower video examples, focus on accuracy and consistency, and gradually increase tempo.
For teachers, the book works well as both a primary method and a supplemental resource. You can assign solos that align with the student’s current level while using the videos as a form of guided practice between lessons.
Most importantly, I encourage both students and teachers to focus on musicality, not just execution. Dynamics, phrasing, and sound quality are just as important as technical accuracy.
5) What are some of the challenges of putting together a drum method book? What advice do you have for anybody potentially interested in publishing their own book?
One of the biggest challenges is balancing clarity with depth. You want the material to be accessible to a wide range of learners while still being musically and pedagogically meaningful. That requires a lot of revision, testing, and feedback.
Another challenge is consistency—ensuring that every exercise, solo, and concept aligns with your overall teaching philosophy.
For anyone interested in publishing their own book, my advice would be:
• Start with a clear pedagogical vision
• Test your material with real students
• Be prepared for a long editing process
• Think about how your material fits into the broader educational landscape
• Test your material with real students
• Be prepared for a long editing process
• Think about how your material fits into the broader educational landscape
Also, don’t underestimate the importance of presentation—clear notation, layout, and supporting materials (like video) can make a huge difference in how your book is received.
6) Tell us about your other current activities as a drummer and teacher
Alongside writing and publishing, I continue to stay active as both a performer and educator. I teach at the university/college level, run my own drum academy, and perform regularly in a variety of musical settings.
I’m also continuing to develop additional educational resources, including future books that expand on different aspects of drumset performance and pedagogy. A big focus for me right now is integrating educational theory (I am currently finishing up my masters degree in Education)—particularly constructivist approaches—into practical, real-world teaching tools.
At the end of the day, everything I do—whether it’s performing, teaching, or writing—is connected by the same goal: helping students become more confident, creative, and musically expressive drummers.
The Rudimental Blueprint: The Burrows Method can be purchase via the following on-line retailers:
Amazon USA https://a.co/d/cTPTSoQ
