There are many benefits from practicing materials in drum books: They will help you improve your reading skills, you will be able to build your data base of rhythmic knowledge, and many doors will be opened to techniques and concepts that are difficult to demonstrate alone. However, books are only useful if they are understood to be a means to an end, not the end. The end goal is to be an improvisational musician. The books are supposed to be springboards into your own ideas. Any beat or exercise should be expanded upon and used on the drum set in an improvised fashion. You need to practice and master what is written first. But don't stop there. Take what you just practiced and expand it onto the drum set. Make a song out of it. Solo over it. Find new ways to play it.

Books are a critical aspect of becoming a complete drummer. They are not the only aspect, nor are they the most important aspect. They can only be helpful if you use them properly. Never rely on the materials to be THE things you bring to a gig. The materials are meant to help you develop THE RIGHT things to bring to a gig.

I have always kept this philosophy in mind when writing my books. The first step is to break down the concept so it is understandable. Then there are samples of how to build upon the concept. Finally, there are mini charts that demonstrate how to put the materials to practical use. From there you find variations, explore, and then you improvise: THE END GOAL.