Drums Grade 5

As you prepare for your grade exam, you'll need the supporting info in the Drums Grade 5 book for the lowdown on four-way coordination, Texas shuffle rhythm, and cross-stick technique

What you'll learn at Grade 5

  • Snare drum techniques: cross stick, rim shot, Texas shuffle, four-way coordination
  • Single and double strokes, paradiddles, flams and ruffs, rolls, hands and feet patterns
  • Playback and performance skills

Purchase Options

The digital download includes the book (PDF format), all tracks and supporting tests. The digital download + E-Book Access additionally includes the access to the E-Book Interactive content. Hardcopy books can currently only be shipped to the UK. Learn more about your purchasing options.

We have published 2 versions of this edition; one version is more USA centric with some American English terms and background information referring billboard chart success rather than the UK charts. Please note that both versions of the book have everything you need for an exam and are both valid editions for when you enter for the assessment.

Download Individual Tracks or Tests

* Includes digital versions of the audio, notation and fact files. Learn more.

Title Price (GBP)
Complete Digital Book + E-Book PDF Sheet Music, Audio Files, Supporting Tests and E-Book (Interactive Sheet Music Player) £17.99 Add to Cart
Drums Grade 5 | Hardcopy (UK Only) £19.99 Add to Cart
Complete Digital Book (US) PDF Sheet Music, Audio Files and Supporting Tests £15.99 Add to Cart
4:44 Track 1 of 12 £3.99 Add to Cart
Don't Let Go Track 2 of 12 £3.99 Add to Cart
Window Seat Track 3 of 12 £3.99 Add to Cart
Hard To Handle Track 4 of 12 £3.99 Add to Cart
Chuck E's In Love Track 5 of 12 £3.99 Add to Cart
Hold The Line Track 6 of 12 £3.99 Add to Cart
Geek Track 7 of 12 £2.29 Add to Cart
Rollin' Track 8 of 12 £2.29 Add to Cart
Do Balanço Track 9 of 12 £2.29 Add to Cart
Tiberius Track 10 of 12 £2.29 Add to Cart
Smack Talk Track 11 of 12 £2.29 Add to Cart
Slam Dunk Funk Track 12 of 12 £2.29 Add to Cart
Supporting Tests Tests and Audio Files £4.49 Add to Cart

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Drums Grade 5 features:

  • 6 new arrangements of iconic rock, pop, and contemporary music tracks from classic and contemporary artists & 6 Rockschool Originals
  • The most diverse selection of contemporary music ever seen in a syllabus making the Grades accessible to everyone without precluding any musical tastes
  • Fact Files: band and artist background information with recommended listening
  • Walkthroughs: in-depth guidance on every track
  • Downloadable audio: easily access audio content online
  • All the essential music theory and technique you need to pass your exams
  • Jay-Z - 4:44
  • En Vogue - Don't Let Go
  • Erykah Badu - Window Seat
  • Otis Redding - Hard to Handle
  • Ricky Lee Jones - Chuck E's In Love
  • Toto - Hold the Line
  • 6 Rockschool Originals
Pages 5-8
4:44 - All references to rimshots have been removed from the walkthrough on page 8. (Updated 10 December 2020)

Pages 11-16
Rollin' - The dynamic marking "mf" has been added to bar 1 (p.12). (Updated 15 February 2013)
Pages 17-20
Do Balanço - The dynamic marking "mf" has been added to bar 1 (p.18). (Updated 15 February 2013)
Pages 21-24
Tiberius - Bar 33 (p.23) should be marked "Double time feel". (Updated 15 February 2013)
Page 35
Technical Exerecises – Group F: Fill - The text "patterns (A–D) shown in Group D" should read "patterns (A–D) shown in Group E". (Updated 15 February 2013)
Pages 21-24
Tiberius - Bar 64 (p.23) has been updated to correct the fill. See file: RSK051224_Drums_G5_p23_26Apr2016.pdf in the _Errata folder of the downloadable content. (Updated 26 April 2016)
How do I download the updated audio?

Learn more about the Drums Grade 5 syllabus