5 comments about On The Beaten Path: The Drummers Guide To Musical Styles & The Legends Who Defined Them (Book & CD).

1. I am a beginning, self-taught drummer who just does it for fun in my spare time. This is the only drumming book I've ever bought, though I've bought many guitar tab books in the past.
   
   This book focuses on some of the most famous drummers of various genres, and beautifully deconstructs their styles, and even has drum kit layouts. Those blew me away! I don't know if such a thing is a standard for all drum instruction books, but if not, it should be.
   
   Where a typical drum instruction book might be, "Here are some exercises. Do them. Now, do these slightly harder exercises." etc., this book is like, "Here is a famous drummer(Photos, bio, technical drum info). Here are three songs by them. Learn these songs by reading this sheet music and listening along to the CD."
   
   As I read through the book, I realized that my view of drumming was a very narrow perspective: I was initially only interested in the guys I'd heard of: Neil Peart, Buddy Rich, etc. But as I read through the book, the author pulled me into the fascinating stories behind many other awesome drummers, which I would've never given proper homage to, and probably would've missed out on everything they have to offer. For instance, Carter Beauford, of the Dave Matthews band. I was never a DMB fan, but after reading about him in the "Progressive Rock" section, (Or was it the "Jam band" section?) I was intrigued, and found some videos that made me realize there was ONE reason to listen to DMB! The drummer!
   
   I feel that with this book, I've got a very broad perspective on drumming, many choices of new techniques to learn, and it will be a long time before I outgrow this book.
   
   However, if I did, I would like to see more from this author talking about more drummers, and more songs from the drummers presented within.
   
   The CD which comes with this book has tracks which are the drum techniques highlighted from each artist, which you can set on repeat as you practice each of them.



2. The author covers every popular style from Classic rock to reggae. I also like the fact that he takes a particular drummer and selects a beginner song, an intermediate song and then an advanced song. He also breaks down each rythim specifically which is very helpful.



3. Great book. Good for teachers and students. Gives good insight into genres of music, and those who made the style theirs. Although there are some drummers who aren't in the book, e.g Jeff Porcaro, the reality is we all have personal tastes and its impossible to put everyone in! Will be a great reference book for all and won't date. Great value for money.



4. I was dissappointed in this product because I felt lead to believe that the transcriptions would be more than little "snippets" of songs. I wanted more transcription.



5. I've read this book a handful of times, always interested, intrigued and educated. The author managed to squeeze tons of information, tidbits and facts into a book that appeals to both avid drummers and casual music lovers. Hopefully we'll see more books covering other drummers and styles in the future. A great writer and an excellent book!! It's no surprise that this book won the 2008 Readers Polls for the #1 Educational Book in both Modern Drummer and DRUM! magazines.

5 comments about Rudiment Grooves for Drum Set.

1. Its a great book with a low price that gives you lots of ideas on how the standard drum rudiments can be applied to the drumset. The basic rudiments are all listed here of course, and then each one is broken down into grooves and moves that are applied to the whole drumset. For example, it shows you how to take the double stroke roll and open it up on all the tom-toms and not just the snare drum. It wont hurt to check it out and have it in your library, as I am sure I learnt a few new things from it.



2. I took from Rick while I attended Berklee - he is the man...period. His classes/lessons were based on this book (he was writing it while I attended) and it really gives you the tools you need to become your own person behind the kit. This will make you a better player with a larger vocabulary. I am always trying to come up with new ways to apply the rudiments. Now - you can have Rick's class without the Berklee tuition - however, Rick's humor is worth the price of the credit hour alone. He sets you straight...and this book will set you straight too.



3. This book is fine, but it does jump right in with both feet. My son and I are learning together so I bought this book along with a couple others. If your looking for a good "beginners" book, this is probably not it. Don't get me wrong, its a good book, but maybe geared more towards the intermediate player looking to take his drumming (rudiments) to the next level. I will pick a way at some of this, but my son and I will be using another book for awhile first.



4. More fills than actual "grooves", but this book will tighten up your chops. I would definately recomend this book for beginners through intermediates. More advanced players won't get as much out of it, but the exercises are worth playing through just to keep things solid. This book is a winner either way.



5. i have a copy of the book but i gave away the cd by accident when giving away one of my beginner snare rudiment books. when i finally got to this book with my playing i realized that i had made an accidental switch and some kid has a really advanced cd to learn snare drum too :P I can trade for a cd that you may have lost. i have a large collection of drum books so if you may have misplaced one or can help me out then let me know. the book is great though, its not the easiest to get through without the cd but it is possible especially if you have a teacher that can play the grooves so you can hear what they are supposed to sound like.

1 comments about The Amazing Jamnasium: A Playful Companion to Together in Rhythm (Book & Enhanced Cd).

1. This handy guide is full of activities that can be used by drum circle faciltiators and music educators. A great complement to Together in Rhythm.

5 comments about The Healing Power of the Drum.

1. I have read "The Healing Power of the Drum" and highly recommend it!
   Let me also interject- I am very discriminating with regard to the books I recommend; to be perfectly honest, this is the first time I have ever posted one of these online reviews... but I really wanted to let people know -- this book is an absolute must-read.

   The Healing Power of the Drum has taught me so much about how drumming can benefit one's health. It helped me with my father (who has been suffering from Parkinson's disease for 18 years) and it also supplied the tools I needed to get through the recent death of a close friend.

   As a Rehabilitation Trainer, I deal with a lot of people who are trying to recover from what are often devastating circumstances. Many are trying to regain not only their physical, but also their mental strength. To help my patients understand the benefits of the mind/body connection, I give each of them a copy of Friedman's book. I would be hard-pressed to find a single one of them who has not benefitted from this book in some way.

   I recently saw Mr. Friedman on a Discovery Channel Health series, as an expert on drumming and wellness. I found his ideas, as in his book, to be not only extremely inspiring... but also very easy to implement. The bottom line, Mr. Friedman provides innovative ideas and solutions in the arena of complementary medicine and rhythm that real people can use in the real world.




2. At a time when the concept of rhythm and drumming is being embraced as a health strategy, Robert Lawrence Freidman captures the current landscape of who's who in developing both the science and practice of drumming for healing purposes.

   From music therapists and professional percussionists to scientific researchers and medical doctors, Robert has interviewed them all and highlights their work in this excellent book. Also included are Robert's ideas about using drumming for stress reduction and a wonderful resources in the back of the book on activities using rhythm and percussion for health and wellness.

   Excellent Excellent Excellent.

   Boom - Ba - Boom - Ba - Boom - Boom - Boom. Makes you want to play and helps you understand why.




3. This is a must have book in any person interested in the field of percussion, music therapy, or wellness. As a drummer and psychotherapist Robert Friedman guides the reader through the experience of using the drum as a tool for therapy and healing. What has been known for centuries by other cultures of the world comes to life in Friemdman's book. He uses stories from expert percussionists such as Layne Redmond and Babatunde Olatunji as well as noted music therapists Barry Bernstein and Christine Stevens among many others to convey that the drum is a powerful and useful tool in therapy. Friedman inculded many helpful sections such as drumming with specific populations such as At-Risk Adolescents, Senior Citizens, Autism, Down Syndrome, and many others. A section on specific drumming activities is included as well as an extensive list of drum related resources. This book is a pleasure to read and learn from. On a personal level I appreciate that several times in the book Friedman recommends consulting a music therapist to assist with therapeutic drumming interventions. He clearly recognizes and supports the use of music as a vital part of the therapeutic process and guides the reader to many sources where they can explore their rhythmic spirit. This book should be required reading for anyone entering the healthcare field. I personally recommend this book to my percussion students and fellow music therapists and know that many more would benefit from reading this wonderful work.



4. I first heard about the healing effects that drums can have about six weeks ago. I had bought a Woman's World magazine at the market, and saw an article in it about a lady who suffered from depression,and was feeling so much better, after she had used Christine Steven's healing drum kit system!Wow! What a unique concept! I am a very "amp-ed" up person,and I wondered if the drum could help me unwind at night.I ordered the kit through Amazon, and use it nightly! I LOVE IT!!So,when I saw this book, I KNEW I had to order it. This is quite remarkable,how simple drumming can have so many health benefits! If you are the least bit curious about this topic,may I suggest you pick this item up? It is an easy read, informative, and it surely does make you think! I can see what listening to my drum CD's have done for me this past month...I am more relaxed, and lulled into sleep, PLUS....my blood pressure was LOWER than usual this week, at the Clinic! Have you had your daily dose of Vitamin D {drum}????



5. This is a very intriguing book that discusses how drumming / rhythm making can relieve stress, inspire confidence, create connection, promote teamwork, purge anger / frustration, build (or repair) relationships, and unlock positive energy in human beings, and thus, open doors to genuine wellness and happiness for those who are willing to participate. The author celebrates the drum as a special instrument that, like no other, possesses the almost magical ability to feed the yearning / wounded human spirit that is often lost (neglected) in today's fast-paced, often-depressing, technology driven world. In the first chapter, Friedman states, "Through providing a channel back to our deeper nature, the drum concurrently provides those who use it with a link to others. The drum seems to have the capacity to unite all individuals who choose to experience it together. Despite race, religion, color, creed, background, or ideology, all are joined together through this ancient instrument's calling. The drum, therefore, becomes a vehicle for transporting all who utilize it across boundaries, to an experience of wholeness and community" (page 8). So, perhaps, according to this author's ideas, drumming is the great glue that holds humanity together; it's a language that all can understand. The forgiving drum allows the freedom of individual expression and the binding of togetherness to happen simultaneously--the balance of opposing tendencies in human experience, an intimate embrace of both the Apollonian and the Dionysian souls; drumming can potentially offer a catharsis. [I liked the author's allusions to Taoism as he explained these points.]
   
   While there can be debatable points in the book, the information does provoke thought and self-analysis in how one is affected by the rhythms of the world and personal rhythms. In my opinion, the following sections themselves justify the price of the book for their enlightened, useful ideas:
   
   Chapter Three: The Ancient Calling
   [I especially liked the given quote by Mickey Hart that Friedman offered on page 23: ""If you could see your DNA, you'd see what your inside rhythm looks like. You are rhythm. You are made of flesh, blood, bones, and rhythm. Rhythm is what keeps you alive."]
   
   Chapter Four: The Personal Experience of Drumming
   [This section describes how drumming can have profound and lasting effects on one's life.]
   
   Chapter Ten: Practical Techniques & Rhythm Activities
   [Simple ideas to get one started with drumming activities are here.]
   
   Chapter Eleven: Drumming Exercises from Musical Therapy
   [Most helpful is the section, "What are your life rhythms?" if you answer questions honestly. ]
   
   Rhythm and Percussion Resources
   [An excellent lists of people, products, organizations, and contacts. Beginners will find this section especially helpful.]
   
   Things I would have liked to see in book but didn't: 1) I wanted to see more specific details and examples in Chapter Nine: Skeptics and Visionaries; and 2) I would like to see more pictures of people / different populations drumming and drum / percussion instruments themselves.
   
   Nevertheless, the book begs to be read and discussed. It would be appropriate for educators, therapists, youth group coordinators, trainers, parents, healthcare providers, motivators, and anyone who wishes to explore new avenues of personal, professional, and social development. The book might make an intriguing, interdisciplinary choice for a supplemental textbook in college sociology, wellness, communication, humanities, and music appreciation courses.

5 comments about The Ultimate Realistic Rock Drum Method.

1. This book is not the way to go if you've never played drums before or know little about how to make your way around a kit, don't read drum music or don't know how to count beats/understand time signatures. If you are an absolute beginner, I would highly recommend you start out with a real life lesson or at least find a place (website or book) to learn some basic rock beats using 4/4 time and learn how it all looks written out properly.
   
   For a more intermediate player, this book is a great tool to use to brush up on some troublesome areas of your playing. I found that it was a great supplement to those times when I was just hitting a wall with my creativity. The book offers some good lessons in odd time signatures, fills and double bass playing. Each lesson gives a few bars of examples which increase in complexity until it ultimately leads to big, multi-bar exercise at the end of each unit which ties it all nicely together.
   
   For beginners - try elsewhere first and come back to this one later.
   For intermediate and experienced players - go for it! It's a good one.



2. This time tested volume still offers a great foundation for beginner to intermediate level drummers. The cd's are a nice addition but only provide 'performance' tempo examples of some of the exercises, as opposed to something that assists the student in progress from a learning tempo to 'realistic' bpm. It also would benefit from more one and two handed 16th note exercises that are written out as opposed to being a variation of the recommended 18 different ways to use the book. I understand that there is an upcoming dvd to accompany the book and cd's. Looking forward to it Carmine!



3. Its a classic, a must have. 9 out of 10 drummers you talk to will tell you they own a copy and played through it at some point in their drumming career. Its a great all round book that shows you a lot of drumming aspects like beats, fills, time signatures and so on... everything you need to learn as a beginner. I would say the only drawback is that its not for complete beginners... perhaps it would be a good second or third book.



4. For teaching drumset, this is the method I love. The book teaches reading and counting by way of many different beats/grooves in simple 1 and 2 measure phrases. If you do the different variations for each beat as described in the front of the book your coordination will go through the roof!
   
   I still like to use Haskell Harr for rudimental teaching. Using them both together gives students the best of both worlds.
   
   I highly recommend this book. (And for the younger students, get the one written for younger kids).
   
   The only negative thing about this book is that they didn't make each exercise a seperate CD track so some of them are hard to locate. If they did that, it would be perfect!



5. Mr. Appice's book has certainly been around for a long time has been used by many teachers (including myself). The biggest drawback of this book is the choice to layout the exercises in a format where each instrument has it's own line rather than using a traditional five line staff. The probelems are these:
   
   1) While the initial exercises are fairly easy to read, later in the book when the toms begin to be incorporated it actually becomes more confusing than traditional notation would be.
   
   2) The use of a non standard staff reinforces the notion that percussion instruments are not to be taken seriously, and that drummers don't really need to learn to read.
   
   3) Someone who begins in this book with no prior experience will have a hard time moving to other texts which do use traditional notation.
   
   4) Someone with previous experience and with properly taught reading skills tend to find the non-standard format annoying if not confusing.

5 comments about Drums For Dummies (For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback)).

1. This book spends too much time on all different types of drums rathar than concentrating on what I, and a majority of people who buy this book want it for: To play your standard rock band drum set. Also, if you don't have any music foundation, such as reading music, forgot this book. It spends a very short time teaching you how to read sheet music and if you don't understand it then the rest of the book is useless. I came close to throwing it in the garbage several times but keep coming back to it, figuring I'm missing something but I've yet to figure this poorly organized and written book out. Maybe this is the 'Dummies' style as I've never read one before. I found more helpful and free information on the net.



2. Drums for Dummies
   
   
   
   
   If any of you are drummers that want to learn how to play the drum set or just wont to master your training. I thank this book is good book for you. Its called Drums for Dummies. It doesn't just try to teach you the drum set; it tries to teach you how to play other percussion interments as well. It comes with a CDROM to let you hear it so you know if you are doing it right. It adds on just little at a time. I will admit it is a little confusing, but I am twelve years old and I cane understand it. It taught me how to play now let it teach you.



3. It's not reasonable to expect to learn a musical instrument from a book, much less a single book. This is a useful book for anyone just starting out or thinking of starting out, to help explain the lingo, to show the variety of drums one can choose from, to provide some advice on how to choose drums, and how to tap out a few basic rhythms. It would also be useful for music directors, band teachers, or composers who are not drummers but want some basic understanding of what drums can (and can't) do. Beyond that, to be a drummer one needs a teacher and many hours of practice -- there are no shortcuts.
   
   This book, unlike the "Idiots" competition, devotes a lot of space to all sorts of drums, not simply rock kits. It also covers basic drumming patterns for a number of different styles. A demo CD is included. If you can't read music, you should plan on supplementing this book with enough study to be able to.



4. I own several Dummies books. As usual the Dummies series has managed to turn out a book for... Dummies. Even though I have no drumset I still managed to learn the basics. However the author is quite "talkative" but I think that kept me from falling asleep on the book. Good buy!



5. This book was exactly what we expected. It is very informative and my husbands drum instructor is using it for lessons. Good Buy !!

1 comments about Rock Band Modern Rock Edition - Drum Play-Along Volume 19 Bk/Cd (Drum Play-Along).

1. Note that Enter the Sandman is not on this CD or book, as is described on the Amazon product description. Otherwise the book is typical Hal Leonard quality, which is pretty doggone good, note for note transcription.
   Instead they have sub'd in 'When you were young' by The Killers.
   
   Comes with Amazing Slow Downer for OSX and Windows, at least a version tied to the CD... worth buying the full up ASD for $39, since the slow down is of higher audio quality and you can open any MP3s from the hard disk.
   For $10 this book is a great value.

3 comments about Alfred's Drum Method, Book 1 (Alfred Drum Method).

1. This is the book I have been using in my pursuit to learn how to drum. First off, I suggest if you are not taking lessons, you do so. even with this book, hearing and seeing someone play with you, that is experienced, is a great help. The book covers the basic drummer needs, flams, rolls, drags, timing, quarter, eigth, and sixteen notes. I would buy the dvd with the book.



2. "Daddy, even Mommy can do it." Those are the words my eight year-old said after a few days with this book. Information is presented in an easy to understand format, that was entertaining for both of us.



3. It's nearly comical to write a review of this book - - not because there's anything wrong with the book....simply because it's such a classic, it'd be like me writing a review of "War and Peace".
   
   Every serious snare drum student (or nearly every serious one, at least) starts with this book. It's a must-have. Very slow and gradual in it's approach. Highly recommended.

5 comments about The New Breed: Systems for the Development of Your Own Creativity (Book with CD).

1. This book is loaded with excercises that will dramatically improve limb independence - it's not easy stuff! Also, it's not really a play-along kind of book where you'll immediately apply the patterns to your playing - so if you're just looking to pick up some cool beats and fills, you should look elsewhere. Now, if you're into buckling down and honing your chops, then this is definitely a book you should consider!



2. I'd recommend this book for any intermediate to advanced drummers. It's too involved for beginners. It does get a little to academic at times, but those areas still build skill even if you'll never use the pattern. The ideas in this book are also good for exercises that are not mentioned. Really, Chester has only scratched the surface of what is possible with his concepts. With a little imagination, one could work out of this book for years.



3. gary's approach to the drums uses exercises which are both musically and technically challenging. begin by singing the click track while playing the first system...right from the start you'll realize how much room there is for improvement. if practiced carefully with a click while singing all of the parts, the improvement in your playing will be tremendous. i had the good fortune to have experienced this process first hand while studying with Gary back in the 80's. it is a sure way to ramp up your focus and independence. guys like kenny aronoff, danny gottlieb, and dave weckl used this method as a launch pad for their own creativity...



4. This book does indeed assist drummers to building their own creativity. Take heed, this book can be difficult and one will need patience, persistence, and passion in order to get through it. The use of "Book with CD" can be misinterpretted as a CD with sampled grooves; the CD is an interview with Gary Chester, the author of the book. It is a raw cut, so the volumes aren't equalized.
   
   If you're serious about drums, or seriously need to grow as a drummer, this book is for you.



5. This is one of the best drum books for drum set available today, hands down. It basically has a list of patters to be played over ostanado patterns (that is, ones that do not change). It starts simple, with quarter notes, and by the end of the book, its highly syncopated 16ths and whatnot. Very challenging, but it' the type of book that will really, really help anyone develop their creative mind with the kit. Most importantly, this is NOT one of those 'play through and then throw into the closet' kind of books. NO!! This book can be used for entire careers endlessly. It's like Stick Control. It's a bible of a book, it's to be interpreted not just read and played! This book will separate the men from the boys!! Buy it now!!

4 comments about 260 Drum Machine Patterns.

1. This is a drum pattern book. If you are looking for a book on how to play drums then this isn't it. I also doubt it would be of any use to an advanced drummer. If on the other hand you are a beginner and / or trying to program a drum machine then this book is very useful. I haven't had time to try out many of the patterns but it looks like most of the basic stuff is there.



2. Well, I just got a Roland tr-808. It a lot of antiquated features I wish
   newer ones had. This book provides ideas for fills, intros, and basic patterns. Good stuff!!!



3. I am not very musically inclined, but I love making it. I use only a computer, no drums, so these beat patterns have been wonderful. I would never be original enough to come up interesting beats on my own. It's also helped me learn about rhythm.



4. I bought this book years (decades?) ago. The copyright year says 1987; I probably bought it a couple of years later back when I had an Alesis HR-16 drum machine.
   
   I remember programming in a few drum patterns from the book and being pleased with the results, it's just that back then I didn't have the recording equipment, synthesizers and so on to suplement the drums (plus, I wasn't as good of a musican as I am now, at least I like to think I've improved a lot since then). So I put the book on the shelf and forgot about it.
   
   I remembered this book tonight, and on a whim I took it down off of the shelf, dusted it off, and began programming some of the "R&B" patterns into Sonar. Unlike those days in the late 80s, I have the means now to do the drum patterns justice. The advent of today's DAWs make it easy for "bedroom" musicans like me to realize their musical dreams.
   
   Anyway, I've found that these patterns to be really good (so far). I'm hearing them in a way I couldn't originally. I'm looking forward to programming in many of the other patterns, especially the Rock and Funk patterns.
   
   Some tips:
   
   1) When programming in the drum parts, be sure to play around with the dynamics (MIDI note velocity). The book has accent marks for some of the notes, but really to get more realistic results you need to go farther. As a general rule, try emphasizing the downbeats. But let your ears be your guide.
   
   2) The drum patterns use a small subset of the drums found in today's General MIDI drum map. Back then your typical drum machine didn't have a large set of drum samples to choose from. So be sure to take advantage of the GM drum map to add realism to the patterns. For example, if a drum pattern calls for a cymbal crash two notes in a row, use the first cymbal crash (note 49) for the first crash and the second cymbal crash (note 57) for the second crash. That way you're not hearing the same crash sample so close together. Even better if you have a drum machine (something like EZDrummer) that has some kind of humanizing algorithm for mixing up the samples.
   
   3) You may want to play around with the note placements to change the characteristic of the beats. For example, moving the snare drum on beat 2 and 4 slightly ahead of the beat for a more driven feel.
   
   4) Instead of using the same pattern over and over again, alternate between two patterns that complement each other. The book's introduction talks about this. Also, when repeating the same pattern, go in and make a small change so that it has some variation. This will add to the realism of the performance.
   
   That's about it. I'm glad I've rediscovered this book. There are tons of prefab drum MIDI files out there (Groove Monkee comes to mind). These are great, but I gotta say, it's fun traveling a bit back in time and doing things the old fashion way. For one thing you really get inside a pattern by entering it by hand one note at a time. If you have the patience, it's very rewarding.