Photo by Scott Pickering

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

DVD: Transitioning From Drummer To Musician

Whether an absolute beginner or seasoned pro, there is valuable educational material on the new DVD from Chris Knox.  The recent release from Musical Metamorphosis, Transitioning From Drummer To Musician contains instruction on a wide range of topics including grips, set up, fills, rudiments, and developing creativity. 

You'll enjoy Chris Knox throwing down (with taste) on a few songs backed by a highly skilled band. The Texas musician gives you ample servings of knowledge on this info packed disc.   The DVD is just under two hours AND includes downloadable exercises in PDF format.

Solid teaching, practical info, and inspiring playing!

Check out www.chrisknox.net for more info.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Stick Control


Among the hundreds of percussion instructional books available, there are several "classics" of teaching texts.   Stick Control is a favorite of mine and the "tape repair job" on my personal copy bears witness to the many times it has been used in my drumming career.  For three quarters of a century, drummers have sharpened their skills with this famous educational opus by George Lawrence Stone. Stick Control contains material that can benefit ANY percussionist (drum set player, hand percussionist, mallet player, orchestral percussionist, or drum circle enthusiast).   The first nine pages of exercises alone can increase your playing level.  Mr. Stone's tome gives variation upon variation of sticking patterns for many basic rhythms.   The exercises can be played with sticks on a single surface, executed on multiple surfaces (giving you some ideas for fills), and played with brushes "sliding" the patterns (an idea from drum set great Ed Soph).

Stick Control is currently published by Alfred Music.