Abstract: The research subject is one of the first published drums playing learning guide, while previously this skill had been transmitted orally from one generation of performers to another. That is why the first published guides are so valuable. The article contains the translation of the tractate “Brief easiest guide to drum along with seven notated plays and marches, with the musician’s annotations” (Ludwig Winter’s widow’s edition, Berlin, 1777) from German into Russian, as well as the comments to it from the viewpoint of a modern performer. The tractate describes technical and stylistical musical techniques typical for Western Europe of the middle of the 18th century. The tractate can be of interest to practicing musicians and “all drums enthusiasts”. 
The research method includes the traits of philological, cultural and pedagogical studies. The author searches for analogies in modern traditions of different cultures and brings into accordance the theoretical and practical parts of the research. The key results of the research are the possibility to adapt the teaching fundamentals and techniques of a regimental drummer of the middle of the 18th century to the modern realia. The main contribution of the author is not only the first literary translation of the work into Russian, but also generalization of the acquired knowledge for purposes of a modern performer and music teacher. The scientific novelty of the research consists in the opportunity for a modern musician to learn about the teaching techniques nearly two and a half centuries later. The study fills in the gap in the history of the Russian performing art.