The invention is a system and method for teaching how to play multi-component percussion equipment. The inventive method includes the steps of attaching respective indicators, each bearing a distinct color, to each respective component of the percussion equipment, and coloring notes on the drummer's score with respective matching colors, and the step of playing notes on the drummer's score on the corresponding respective piece of equipment. The inventive system includes a musical score, a first drum stick, a second drum stick, and a plurality of respective indicators, each indicator having distinct color, attached to each respective component of the equipment. The score is color-coded such that notes that are to be played on a respective component are indicated in a respective color.