2 comments about Odd Time Reading Text: For All Instruments : Rhythmic Studies Designed to Develop Accuracy and Speed in Sight Reading As Applied to Odd Time Signatures.

1. This book is from 1968 but it's still a very good book to start your Odd Time studies with. You have to know how to read music to use it (if dont know how to do that you could check out the books by Robert Starer).

   Although written by a very famous drummer this is not a drumset book, but an exercise book written to develop your sight reading skill and understanding of Odd Rhythms, and it is suitable for everyone no matter what instrument you play, the examples are not melodic, just written on one note, so the focus is on the Rhythm, and the examples are from simple to quite complicated.

   The book deals with Rhythms in 3,5,6,7,8,9 and 12, with either the quarter or eighth or sixteenth note as the basic pulse. There are sections dealing with changing metres also. The book is about 130 pages so there is a lot of stuff here, the exercices start simple and then gradualy get more complicated.

   A fine book, Highly Recommended.

   Other good rhythm book Authors are Alan Dworsky, Gary Hess, Peter Magadini, Reinhard Flatichler, Gary Chaffee and Gavin Harrison.




2. This is the most intense and thorough advanced rhythmic reading text that you can probably find anywhere. I'm a professional guitarist who likes to play and write in a wacky fusion-esque style. Since tapping into this book my writing and improvising has morphed into realms that I never expected to ever experience. You should already have an okay understanding of basic sixteenth note rhythms before you jump into this book. To quickly advance to that level may I recommend Rhythmic Training by Robert Starer. If you want to take your reading, improvising and musicality to the ionosphere, these two books are the ticket !!

3 comments about Afro-Cuban Rhythms for Drumset.

1. You gotta get the cuban beat



2. If you are looking to spruce up your playing, this is the book for you. It uses a step by step process to ease you into the most dificult rhythms. It also comes with a cd that gives examples of all the beats in this book which I found very helpful. You can apply the beats learned in this book to any type of music for a much more interesting sound. I would say this book is for moderate to advanced drummers. Get this book, It's worth it.



3. After 20+ years of playing the drum set I can hear and feel most standard rock and jazz rhythms fairly easily. But the rhythms in this book are so different that I find myself challenged in each exercise---even the simplest ones! This book will really help the drummer who is comfortable with current and past rock and jazz styles, because it is a huge stretch from the 4/4 and 3/4 that most of us spend virtually all of our time playing. More than anything, this book will help your overall sense of time, because its contents are so different from the American rock-pop-jazz genre, that your brain will have to work overtime to master them. It's helpful if you have some Latin traps in your kit, but not necessary to reap the full benefit. Couple this book with Gary Chester's New Breed, and you'll step into a new phase of musical creativity in your drumming career. The included CD is really essential to understanding the groove of these exercises.

5 comments about The Art and Heart of Drum Circles.

1. I have created two regular musical jam sessions in my town, but realized that there was a need for people who do not play an instrument or do not read music. My search led me to the drum circle concept. Apparently the concept has evolved from pure drumming to being inclusive of many more instruments and sound makers. The Art and Heart of Drum Circles is the most supportive book that I have read on this subject. It is an easy read (includes a CD) and it is very encouraging to new circle facilitators. Christine Stevens makes you feel good about what you are attemping to do while helping you with plenty of information and examples. This is an outstanding text.



2. Christine is on her "A" game with this book. Chock full of information and insight, the "Art and Heart of Drum Circles" should be on every facilitator's reading list. The included CD makes for great audio reference to material covered in the book. If you have not gotten a chance to see Christine facilitate a drum circle, she is even more fun live. Good job!



3. Simply put, helpful book. I'm working to spread the word about the value of drumming in my professional presentations...and I often facilitate drum circles for those with dementia. The tips in this book significantly improved my understanding and skills. Much thanks to Christine.



4. I found this an excellent help in beginning a drumming circle. Armed with the information from this book I came to know what more questions I needed to ask and what more new information I needed.



5. I took on a sudden urge some months ago to start playing a hand drum, and to bring some kind of community drumming to the area where I live (a small city). I chose this book because it was cheaper than the others (a limited budget!) and had a CD in it. The book was helpful, and helped me gain some insight into drum circle building. I would say that one of the cons is that it tends to read a little bit like promotional literature from the Remo company, and it seems to have a little too much hype for the author and her Remo sponsored circles. However, there is helpful material in it, and I am satisfied that I got my money's worth.

4 comments about Polyrhythms - The Musician's Guide.

1. Voted #6 in Modern Drummer Magazine survey "The 25 Greatest Drumbooks" The original books were in two volumes. Both have now been combined into one volume. The book also includes an excellent and informative recording. This book is not only for drummers and percussionists but was written for all musicians. Musicians Guide to Polyrhythms (orig.title) is, has been, and continues to be the definitive book on this subject



2. The author has the idea of polyrhythms right, and he explains it very well, and gives great audio examples. He also has right the idea of how to thoroughly teach polyrhythmic abilities, and enhance rhythmic dexterity. The book is lacking, however, when it comes to practice exercises. While the instructions say practice these exercises at all tempos, the accompanying CD has them only at one tempo per exercise (which is, surprise, close to the easiest tempo for that particular exercise)... of course, you're expected to do different tempos on your own, but since you're counting two rhythms at once, it is very difficult to objectively hear each of them, to know if you're not "cheating" one to make it fit into the correct rhythmic space provided by the other.
   The book provides the musician with some great new ways to think about rhythm. The problem is that the book advances too quickly to some really difficult stuff. If you sit with it for hours, and practice on your own (drumming on a desk, as I have done), you can ascend its steep slope and help your rhythmic abilities. (In the end, I didn't get very far along in the book). This takes a hell of a lot of patience, discipline, and work, and It would've been much easier if there were more exercises, which slowly increased in difficulty, rather than the few exercises which demand a leap in difficulty from one to the next.



3. I am an amateur with 40 plus years on the drums and this guide is easy to understand even though I do not play professionally. Helped me immensely!



4. This book is a wonderful tool for those who are serious about musicianship. However, unlike most books which spend their lengthy breadth trying to lead you along "12 stupid-simple steps," this book spends its pages with application. You will not get anything from this book if you just want to read about polyrhythms. This book is for those who want specific practice on the subject, and "Polyrhythms: A Musician's Guide" does that very well.

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 !!

5 comments about Rudiment Grooves for Drum Set.

1. 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.



2. 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.



3. 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.



4. 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.



5. I bought this book based on the recommendations here. It's clearly a book I will be returning to soon and offers a wealth of ideas for the application of rudiments across the drum set.
   
   A little warning is due though...this book provides a list of the 26 rudiments, but then dives head first into some very challenging exercises. It's a little above my pay grade for now - and I'm not really a beginner.
   
   Listening to the CD could actually be discouraging, because Rick's tempos are basically obscene - so fast in fact, that it's nearly impossible to read the music and listen at the same time for comprehension.
   
   That being said, these exercises are clearly worth the effort and seem to do a great job of emphasizing rudiments and variations you're likely to be weak in - such as reverse paradiddles, double strokes played in triplet feel, off accents etc.
   
   My overall feeling is that this is no book for beginners, but contains a wealth of insight for really rounding out your technique - recommended!

5 comments about Conga Drumming: A Beginner's Guide to Playing With Time W/ CD.

1. Very recommended! I think Alan Dworsky used a very clear graphic way of teaching the Conga playing, without getting into music reading instead, he uses symbols for the diferent strokes, and easy numbers. It is great for begginers but stil a good book for advanced players, because it goes through many aspects of the conga.
   If you are into conga playing, get this book for the price of half a conga lesson I am sure you will get some mileage out of it. I have been playing congas for years and I discovered a few things in this book I didn't know. Go for it! (...)



2. I agree with all the other reviewers... this is a great book for beginners and advanced (as well as folks somewhere in the middle, like me).

   One thing I didn't expect to like, since I can read regular music notation, was their concocted music notation. To my surprise, I like theirs better. It's very intuitive, and after a while, you can pretty much sight-read the rhythms. If I hear/see a conga pattern I like in the future, I'll probably write it down using their notation.




3. This book is extremely readable and it teaches you terrific grooves right from the get-go. I'm a pianist who has decided to learn some percussion and I am having a blast learning to play the conga. Even my non-musician girlfriend has learned some of this stuff!



4. I found this book invaluable for learning the basics of conga drumming without a teacher. I used it for several months before hitting my first conga class, and was really glad I had worked with the book. I was able to pick up right away with the rest of the class on several of the rhythms. However, I will warn anyone using the book that this drumming world is steeped with "variations". That is, you'll frequently find that your teacher is using a slightly different variation than the one taught in the book. This is fine, however, since it's usually easy to alter what you're doing slightly.
   
   One of the more impressive aspects of the methods in this book is the holistic approach, for example, teaching how to feel the clave underneath the rhythms you're playing. The book also does about as good a job as any book can at teaching the hand technique, although I highly recommend complementing this with good videos of accomplished conga players. Youtube, for example, is a great resource. Here again, though, you will find different philosophies of technique, and again your teacher may have his own emphasis.



5. Great Conga book. Was recommended to me by others. The only thing that I don't like about this books is that it doesn't use standard notation.

1 comments about World Music Drumming: A Cross-Cultural Curriculum.

1. I am a general music teacher and have been using this as a curriculum with my 6th and 7th graders. They love the drumming and respond well to the entire book. There are so many things to think about as a teacher and this book helped alleviate all the stresses of being a music teacher. I had more time to plan engaging lessons with my students and I did not have to think about how or when I would assess. It was all well laid out in the book. Plus the author was the head of MENC. THis is by far one of the best music education books I have purchased. It has been used in my school for a while and I am happy to be part of the program.

1 comments about Standard of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method: Drums & Mallet Percussion (Standard of Excellence - Comprehensive Band Method).

1. I'm not a band director, but I've played in a lot of bands, and can say this series avoids dryness while allowing a sensible progression in musicianship for the whole band. I especially like the fact that the percussion book includes snaredrums and bells equally. For an alternative check out the Rubank method.

4 comments about Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba & Vibraphone.

1. When I first bought this book, I was looking for it for one reason: becuase it was inexpensive and had a solo that I was interested in playing. But boy, it is good for a whole lot more than that. It has 2- 4 mallet parts that are fun to learn, and each have their own "spunk" in them!! I highly recommend this book for intermediate and professional mallet players!!



2. I worked through this book in the late 60's while studying with Tony Cirone at San Jose State. I remembered it fondly and now that I am teaching my son mallet instruments, I am going through it again.

   There are many newer xylophone books out and several that lead to a higher level of difficulty, but no other combines the studies of technique, repertoire and musicality like Modern School for Xylophone...

   This is THE book all mallet players should master before anything else.




3. This book is great for working towards building mallet excellence. I am a high schooler and have recently discovered this masterpiece and I have done nothing but grow stronger in my mallet technique since the exercises have become regulars in my work-out progression.



4. mallet players looking for a good challenge and/or good workouts will really benifit from this book. it is not easy, but it is well thought out and will make a huge impact on your playing. the ending solos are great fun. There is even a Bach concierto which is quite the challenge. buy it!