About
About Backwerd Rhythm Shop
Practical resources for better percussion education.
Backwerd Rhythm Shop creates clear, useful tools for percussion students and educators — free web apps, written lessons, printable posters and worksheets, and ready-to-assign teaching sequences — all designed to support stronger teaching, purposeful practice, and lasting musical growth.
The name
Why “Backwerd”?
Progress isn’t always linear. Sometimes the best way to move forward is to slow down, take a skill apart, and rebuild it with a deeper understanding.
That idea inspired the name Backwerd Rhythm Shop. Percussionists should understand rhythm inside and out — not simply repeat patterns. Every resource here encourages thoughtful, structured, and adaptable learning while leaving room for the creativity and playfulness that make percussion special.
Who it’s for
Built for the people in the room
Every resource starts from a real teaching problem, so it has to work for whoever picks it up — the director running the rehearsal, the student practicing alone, and the performer building consistency.
Rehearsal-ready tools that make percussion instruction easier to explain, hand off, and assess.
Clear references and practice supports that help players understand what to do next.
Practical rhythm materials for building consistency, confidence, and musical independence.
Free web apps
The tools are already free
The web apps run in a browser with no account, no download, and no cost — on a phone, a tablet, a Chromebook, or the projector in the band hall. Each one has a page explaining what it does and who it’s for.
- Pulse Pocket Metronome A metronome that shows you the rhythm — subdivisions, patterns, counting in two systems, and sticking. See the page →
- Mallet Board A projector-first keyboard percussion display for scale paths, note names, scale degrees, and instrument geography. See the page →
- Scale Trail A scale trainer that turns a key signature into a physical route across the bars. See the page →
More tools, free downloads, and classroom resources live on the main site — see free resources or all apps.
Meet Taylor
Built by a percussion educator
Backwerd Rhythm Shop is the percussion-focused app and resource studio of Backwerd Rimshot, LLC, founded by Taylor Dwyer, a percussion educator, arranger, and designer based in Fort Worth.
Drawing on experience in marching percussion, concert percussion, drum set, and curriculum design, Taylor creates resources through the lens of everyday teaching. Each one is built to be practical, approachable, and effective in real classrooms, practice rooms, and rehearsals.
Questions about a resource, an app, or classroom use?
General inquiries — info@backwerdrhythmshop.com
Help and problems — support@backwerdrhythmshop.com
Ideas and feature requests — feedback@backwerdrhythmshop.com
Company and partnership inquiries — backwerdrimshot.com
Find a resource for your next rehearsal.
Open the Free Resource Library or use one of the browser-based apps. Neither requires an account.