Featured Book: Drum Basics (Book and CD)

Author: Hans-Peter Becker

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Year Published: 1994

Type: Musical Instruction

Format / Pages: / 167 pages

Review:

Drum Basics by Hans-Peter Becker is one of the finest drum basics books created. Born in 1961, Becker studied at the Percussion Institute of Technology in Los Angeles, California.  He continues to work as a live performer and as a studio drummer.  He is a teacher and founder of the Modern Drum School.

The most intriguing aspect of Drum Basics is Becker's abilitity to capture drum concepts and put them into practical, hands-on use.  Every basic drumming skill is covered here, with great detail.

There is many reasons to recommend this book.  Material covered includes clearly explained information on basic musical terms, odd meters, changing meters, reading exercises from whole via syncopation, half triplets to imperfect time.  Snap ups, bounce exercises, double stroke roll, applying the movements, reverse finger technique, rudiments with different variations, rudimental solos, among other material is also discussed. A section of swing eighth notes is discussed as is one on shifting accents.  Ruffs and rolls are explained in a fine and clear manner.

The complimentary CD contains 44 tracks.  Each track relates to a page, providing a convenient reference for the drummer.

Drum Basics is flawlessly translated from Becker's native German. Steve Taylor is to be congratulated on his smooth and skillful translation.

If there are any questions about drumming, and learning how to drum, then this is the book to have on hand for reference and practice.  What you will learn in this book is priceless.  It will give you information that is hands-on, and information which you can use immediately.  If you want to drum, pick up a copy of Becker's book and start learning!  Drum Basics is a well-written, enjoyable instruction method without a dull moment! Highly recommended. 

Additional Information: Check it out @ Amazon.com

ISBN: 3927190667

Reviewed by: Lee Prosser

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