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 Drum Circle Spirit: Facilitating Human Potential through Rhythm (Performance in World Music Series).

1. This book and CD set has wonderful examples of drum circle games and exercises. He and his facilitators also share their drum stories and let us know how fun it can be to be an "Arthurian" facilitator! Get a bunch of friends together and PRACTICE these games!(It REALLY comes to life after attending one of Arthur's facilitator playshops!!!)



2. This guy is a modern Trickster! At first you wonder, is this guy a joke? Then as you read more, you realize, yes he is, thank god! But be aware; this is a book about building community; if you want a book about drumming, look to Mickey Hart.



3. As a Christian wanting to start a church-oriented drum-circle, I was somewhat concerned that this book would be full of propaganda that would run counter to my Christian values. (Making it annoying to read at the least, and at worst, difficult to convince other Christians in my church of its value.) While some of the author's values come through (especially with references to "tithing to Rhythm Church" and the like) there's nothing in here to really offend any particular religious belief. There's no "we can heal the world with drums, just think good thoughts and good things will happen to you" message here. It's practical advice on how to bring out the best in a group of drummers.

   Arthur's numerous anecdotes are entertaining and informative. They really conveyed the spirit of what Arthur does with his drum-circles.

   I'm very anxious to get started applying what I've learned (and will continue to learn) from this book, and it has convinced me to attend one of Arthur Hull's Facilitator Playshops. Arthur's teaching in the book is very clear, presented in small, easily-digested steps, and most of all, very encouraging. The whole book shouts, "You can do this, it isn't that hard!"

   I've very pleased that Arthur has taken the time to share his hard-earned wisdom with the rest of us. If you're wanting to start a drum-circle, work with kids through rhythm, or any such activity, you can't afford not to own this book.




4. Arthur Hull hits the nail on the head with his book, Drum Circle Spirit. Without this book to use as a guide, I would feel lost!... I call it simply "REQUIRED READING" for those who care about their community and friends who wish to drum in a group setting. It empowers most anyone to begin and conduct their own drum circle. THANK YOU ARTHUR!



5. This book is the bottom line, the base of the pyramid. All others I have read-and I have very many-rest on it. It explains the why, the where and the how of different types of drum circles and how, when one is called upon to do so, to facilitate them so that they live and create music on their own. While there are many facilitator "tricks" and techniques, the message is always that the circle is not to serve as a platform for a facilitator performance, but that the facilitator's job is only to get the music the circle is making past places where it starts to self destruct and back into solid playing. There is a great deal of anecdotal information about how specific difficult situations were handled as well as examples of wonderful, joyful exhuberance. If you are new to drum circles, and especially if you need or want to facilitate them, this is the FIRST book you buy.

No comments about Standard of Excellence Drums and Mallet Percussion Book 2.

1 comments about West African Drum & Dance (A Yankadi-Macrou Celebration) Book & CD, DVD.

1. There are quite a few books out there offering "West African Rhythms." Some are better than others, but in terms of cultural relevance, most if not all of these books seem to be missing something. They tend to be big on the "rhythms," and not so big on much else. More time may be spent on echaufements and solo lines than the songs, other instruments, and most importantly, the meaning of that particular music.
   
   At almost 170 pages discussing only two "West African Rhythms," this book offers a true glimpse of the Susu culture; through teaching their history, their instruments, dancing, drumming, singing, and more. History and culture are offered in a straight-forward, digestible fashion... and when I say digestible, I'm also referring to actual Susu recipes.
   
   West African Drum & Dance, a Yankadi-Macru Celebration is set up as a curriculum; one that could be used for an older elementary school class as easily as it could be used at the college level. Musical items are broken down and offered in a progressive fashion so that a teacher can customize the speed at which the material is presented. The DVD helps out a lot here as well, and when they show performances, it's from the actual village!
   
   I've played Yankadi/Macru in various settings with people of various levels, including acclaimed Susu djembefola. Looking through this book, I have an entirely new perspective about what it is....it's not a rhythm, it's an involved, beautiful celebration.
   
   Highly recommended to anyone interested in djembe/dunun, and/or in cultural music curriculums.

No comments about Continuo Playing According to Handel: His Figured Bass Exercises (Early Music Series, No. 12).

5 comments about Hip Grooves for Hand Drums: How to Play Funk, Rock & World-Beat Patterns on Any Drum.

1. My title summarizes my main disappointment with this book. It sounds great but when you get it, it seems to give relatively little in all those pages. Lots of filler, not enough content.

   I was especially disappointed with the notation. Although conga players use this chessboard notation, it's not standard in music generally, which means you can't show it to a drummer or the songwriter in your band and expect them to know what it means. Music notation exists for very good reasons -- it communicates rhythms with great accuracy. Letters in little boxes just don't.




2. I've been using Alan Dworsky's "Hip Grooves" book for conga, djembe and cajon with good results, but the rhythms are quite limited (because the book comprehends djembe-style and conga-style drums/technique). I found out that djembe and cajon techniques are very similar (and that both instruments have 3 basic sounds), so any written material for one of them could be easily applied to the other. The material is very basic and simple and the explanations are very understandable. Successful results are almost inevitable.



3. I've been a hand drummer for decades and have played with everyone from Carlos Mantilla to Cuba Libre. What I loved about this book and CD combo was the ease with which I could pick up everything in the book. So many drummers have trouble reading drum score and the CD is a boon for them.
   I recommend the book/CD highly.
   
   Lary (BongoLary) Crews
   Florida



4. Great information with just the facts. Lots of single and poly rhythms without all the editorial opinion.



5. This is exactly what I was looking for to take me to the next level. Some guys at work and I have been playing Djembe at lunch for a couple of years. We wanted new beats and to expand on what we have been doing. This book and CD set is taking us there in a naturally progressing manner. The book is easy to follow and the play along CD allows us to master what the book teaches. The authors have another book & CD set called "HOW TO PLAY DJEMBE" which teaches, in the same easy way, traditional West African Rythms. We love it too. We are greatful to the authors and Amazon for these two great tools. They are fun to use and are helping us to grow faster and further than we expected!

1 comments about Brazilian Rhythms for Drumset (with CD).

1. I am not a drumset player (Yet !) but I'm interested in the rhythms of the world and Brazilian Rhythms are Fantastic, this book is quite good, it has sections on Samba, Bossa Nova, Baiao, Maracatu, Marca and Frevo, and patterns in odd meters.

   The book starts with a short introduction on Brazilian music and then explaines the traditional Rhythms and the traditional Brazilian instruments and then demonstrates how to apply those rhythms to the drumset, the book comes with two C.D's which demonstrated most of the musical samples in the book.

   Great book for drumset players and ALSO for those who want to understand Brazilian Rhythms.

   Also recomended are Airto Moreiras great Videos, C,D's and books, and see also Brazilian Percussion Manual by Daniel Sabanovich and Brazilan Music Workshop by Antonio Adolfo.

   For other types of rhythms check out these authors, Alan Dworsky, Reinhart Flatichler, Sule Greg Vilson, Yaya Diallo, Peter Magadini, Robert Starer and Gary Hess.

1 comments about Hard Rock: Drum Play-Along Volume 3 (Hal Leonard Drum Play-Along).

1. This is a great series of drum transcriptions and this is probably my favorite entry in it. The companion CD has each song performed two times, once with the full ensemble, and the other with the ensemble minus the drums for you to play along with. This book has a nice mix of difficulties and styles within the genre.

No comments about Primary Handbook for Snare Drum.

3 comments about D.r.u.m. -- Discipline, Respect and Unity Through Music.

1. Great Resource for helping to begin a program at the elementary level. It provides the fundamentals for setting up a program and getting it underway.



2. When I started teaching music, my mentor teacher taught me something from this book... I had my first successful lesson with my worst 6th graders ever by using something from this book. Jim put not only engaging drumming activities (that can be simplified or modified very easily) into this book, but he put in some fundamentals and tips as well. I took an orff-schulwerk course from him at the Eastman School of Music, and I believe he must be one of the top educators in the country. If you buy this book, you will use it! Check out his other books as well!



3. My students really enjoy these drumming pieces! I appreciate the teaching process included and the fact that the difficulty levels are stated.