John S. Pratt

John Sterling "Jack" Pratt (1931–2020) was an American Army drum instructor at West Point as well as a celebrated rudimental book author. Pratt produced several volumes of rudimental solos and instructional materials and was also the founder of the International Association of Traditional Drummers (IATD), a member of the National Association of Rudimental Drummers (NARD), a member of the United States Association of Rudimental Drummers (USARD), and was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) Hall of Fame and the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame.

Biography John Pratt was born in 1931 at Seneca Falls, New York, started playing the drums at the age of 10, and began his rudimental training at a local VFW post in 1947. In 1949, he officially became a member of NARD by playing the 13 essential drum rudiments in front of an existing member. He joined the US Army in 1950 and received Army musical training at Fort Knox with the 3rd Armored Division Band training program. giving deference to the basic 4 drum strokes over any rudimental patterns.

Publications 14 Modern Contest Solos for Snare Drum Ancient Rudimental Snare and Bass Drum Solos 128 Rudimental Street Beats 26 Standard American Drum Rudiments The Solo Snare Drummer The New Pratt Book Rudimental Solos for Accomplished Drummers