For those of us on a tight budget, a good teacher can be elusive. I have turned to books for material. While I own Stick Control and Syncopation as well as some other classics, I have been looking for more. I really enjoy trying new patterns and seeing what I can transfer to the kit and what is more difficult.
What has been your most useful book and why? What is your "drum bible"?
I peruse the internet and take in all I can find as "free lessons"....best money spent is no money....
I agree with Jonni. The internet is loaded with drum lesson sites. Everything from beginner to advanced.
My bibles are Stick Control and Accents & Rebounds- putting those exercises creatively around the kit with both hands and feet have kept me interested and practicing for over 30 years.
If you want to study latin rhythms then "The Essence of Afro-Cuban Percussion & Drumset" by Ed Uribe is better than excellent.
A good book I use with my adult drum students is "Jazz Standards for Drumset"by Brian Fullen
Buddy of mine who held the Ray Charles gig for 25yrs told me that he liked Syncopation, of course and then Advanced Techniques by Jim Chapin. I like them too. His approach was more in depth though:
He played Syncopation as written, then mastered it leading with the left hand. After that he went through Advanced Techniques, then re-did that whole thing left-handed. As if that were not enough, he then played Syncopation as if it were Advanced Techniques...that is to say, with the left hand playing the written part and the right assumed the standard "jazz beat", with 1-2-3-4 on the kick and 2 & 4 on the hi-hat. THEN he went through that left-handed! Mind Blowi
I haven't made it to that point, and probably won't for some time. I still have plenty of work to do just playing the first two right-handed. :o
All really great and helpful books!! If your into bop,The Art of Bop Drumming by Riley is a good book.I found some worthwhile ideas to work with out of it. A bit beyond my talents,but helpful nonetheless.
Cheers,BigE
Thanks so much for the help! I have yet to work through either Syncopation or Stick Control but now I am very encouraged. I think I might look for Accents and Rebounds and get my Advanced Techniques back from a friend. I have only been playing for a few years so I don't feel under-accomplished but I want to learn quick ha. Guess I don't possess that virtue ha
Stick control is good for focusing on technique. I divide my time working on technique and music/grooves/reading/coordination. Some good books I've worked through:
Art of Bop Drumming
Beyond Bop Drumming
Rudimental Cookbook
Afro-Cuban Rhythms for Drumset
Future Sounds
Portraits in Rhythm
I like instructional videos because you can place your kit in front of the TV and DVD player and with the remote repeatedly watch and practice the video until you catch onto the groove:
These are old, but available on Amazon.com:
Ginger Baker: Master Drum Technique has great studies on paradiddles and doubles for fills and also techniques on substitution
If you can understand and master his paradiddle/double techniques you will be a different drummer
I also like Rick Latham: Advanced Funk Studies - some great fill and rythm ideas and exercises
YouTube has an abundance of videos you can download and replay:
Obviously I enjoy studying paradiddles/doubles in fills - also check out Crazy Diddles On The Kit by Vanz Cool Drum Tips on YouTube
One thing about these guys that makes all the difference: their stroke patterns are C-L-E-A-N - that's the real secret
x2 on the clean part. I'm strictly working on my sticking on a pad lately. My only focus is playing clean and evenly. Speed is of no concern to me right now.
I'm trying to get back to where I once was with my dynamics (they used to be better) and advance from there. My current gig has actually hurt my playing so I'm trying to get back to home base and then build up from that point.
