The Harry A Bower System for the Drums, Bells, Xylophone and Tympani
The Harry A. Bower System is one of the most significant and influential percussion method books in American music education history. Published in three parts in 1911 by the Carl Fischer company though some sources indicate a revised edition from c1912. The complete title is "The Harry A. Bower system for the drum, bells, xylophone, and timpani: in three parts"
Structure and Content
The system is divided into three comprehensive volumes:
- Part I: Drums - Contains more than 80 pages of exercises for drums, bass drum, and cymbals
- Part II: Bells and Xylophone - Contains instruction on the bells and xylophone
- Part III: Timpani - Covers timpani instruction and techniques
Historical Significance
This method represents a major advancement over Bower's earlier 1898 Imperial Method. Harry Bower was famous in the late 19th and early 20th century as a percussion artist and producer of snare drums, making him uniquely qualified to create this comprehensive educational system.
The Bower System became a cornerstone of American percussion education and influenced generations of drummers. It was among the first methods to systematically address multiple percussion instruments in a coordinated educational approach, rather than treating each instrument separately.
The Bower System stands as a testament to the development of systematic American percussion pedagogy and remains a valuable resource for understanding early 20th-century drumming techniques and educational approaches.