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I'm an experienced player in my 40's. I have a solid groove, excellent timing and technique. I play some double bass, can do triplets on the bass drum comfortably, etc.etc.
Being an old dog, I would like to add some really cool licks to my repertoire to sparkly my performances.
Can anyone recommend a great instructional video(s) that can spice up my playing?
Thanks a bunch guys
Al
if your looking for cool licks and things to spice up your performance...get the thomas lang dvd
anything weckl esp the next step
I like on Weckl's 'Back to Basics' when he does that total Weckl-ish solo, does some burnin' stuff and then stops and says:
"Welcome to Back to Basics"... I wonder how many beginners basically quit after that! [img]tongue.gif[/img]
Educationally it's probably best to get the Weckl DVD's but even though i have those, the one i watch most often is the Jeff Porcaro instructional Video from Starlicks. That Video can keep me locked on the kit for Hours and Hours, even after watching it for more than 12 years and at least twice a week!
It might be hysterical, but i just you know.... Got Porcaro? [img]biggrin.gif[/img]
Klemme, that's what I was looking for. Does JP break down the beats he is doing, or does he leave that to you to figure it out by watching him?
I agree with Steve Holms Video Clips... Those 4 clips have helped me so far more than any other source.
I only own one Video and that is Dennis Chambers Serious Moves. Not very instructional at all. It's more like a documentary of Dennis and his performances with John Scofield, Gary Grainger, and Jim Beard.
Any other personal reviews out there?
Thanks and Regards
Al
I heard Hal Leanord has a DVD coming out in April that may be of help. [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]wink.gif[/img]
Check out Steve's DVD clips at houseofdrumming.com
The studio clip is very good.
Got blushda?
I just saw an ad for a new DVD for the Rick Latham books. Those books are killer so the DVD should be killer.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">It's not like the Dennis Chambers DCI video, it's totally different.Quote:
Originally posted by pgroover:
Klemme, that's what I was looking for. Does JP break down the beats he is doing, or does he leave that to you to figure it out by watching him?
Al
All the Grooves Jeff Porcaro Plays on the tape, is either beeing demonstrated and chopped down before he plays it with the band, or otherwise he breaks it down for you afterwards. It's Mike Porcaro on Bass and David Garfield on Keys.
He starts offs with "basic" 8th and 16th note grooves. Then he moves on to his Latin inspired contemporary grooves ( Africa, Mushanga(!) etc. ). Then he moves to the triplet subdivided grooves; Half-time shuffles, up-tempo shuffles, Jazz-Funk Groove, Half-Time Jazz-funk Groove. ( Rosanna, Hold the Line, Lido Shuffle .... )
Between that He break downs his Bass-Drum Technique, Stick Technique, different kinds of patterns for your Hi-hat and Bass Drum, that helps you to develop the necesarry technique needed for the grooves on the Tape.
A third very important thing he comes up with, is his thoughts and philosophy on how to set-up the groove for a tune. He uses Steely Dan's FM as an example for that.
All in all, a very Humble Jeff Porcaro ( as mentioned in another topic, he reveals where he "stole" everything from other drummers to make his signature grooves etc. ) And it's allways eye - and earcandy to hear and see Jeff play. I think you can buy it on DVD too now.
Well, steve smith. I don't know how educational his recent DVD is, I'm sure it's good. But I've got his first video from years ago and steve is really good at explaining things on it. Maybe check that out, I forget the name of it, but it's got vital information or journey on it too.
Awesome Klemme, I'm going to look into it.
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Regards,
Al
The "best" instructional video alwas depends on what you are after. i.e. A particular style of music, a particular technique etc...
Something that has been very relevant for me lately is "Brain's Lessons". In case you are not familiar with him "brain" (Brian Mantia), was drummer for Primus and most recently his most famous commitment is probably with Guns 'n' Roses. Especially the sections on Ostinatos and Funk grooves was amazing for me. The guy is an absolute monster and I have also learned to appreciate the comical side of this DVD - which has been critisized by many. You should check it out, even if it's just for a laugh, he will blow you away at times.
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 17, 2005 10:49 AM: Message edited by: Suspiria ]</font>
I hear the Haskell Harr DVD is excellent.
[img]wink.gif[/img]
I'm looking forward to Bissonette's DVD. It should be good, he has some neat ideas.
My advice, go to see live all the great musicians that you admire.
pgroover,
The Jeff video also comes with a booklet of notation if you can't work out what he's playing...
I too can't wait for the mighty Bissonette's DVD...
MP
Having spent a lot of time cloning my heroes, and ultimately realizing that I am not them, I think what?s important in listening to yours is not copping what they did, but understanding why they did it. You will probably get to a point where you can physically execute what they did; that?s fine for the rehearsal room, but if you don?t know the why, then there?s no musical reason for it. If there?s no reason for it that means it doesn?t belong there, as any front person/bassist/producer will tell you.
We have to think for ourselves, and make our own choices. If I?m playing with someone else and parroting what one of my heroes did on that tune, then I?m not really listening to the people around me, and thus not making music. I?m just playing the instrument. Listen to the musicians you play with and do what the music tells you then.
You will also profit if you spend time developing some vocabulary on the instrument. Listening is part of this, so is working systematically and creatively through Stick Control, John Ramsey's, or several other books. As you work though these, you?ll hear what some of your heroes have done with these ideas. You may also hear what they have not done. Then use your imagination and do the Enterprise thing ? go boldly where no person has gone before.
I second the vote for the "Brian's Lesons" video. The part where he demonstrates the up/down stroke while he's watching a porno is the best.
Hey PG groover!
The videos that really hit home for me were Greg Bissonettes "Private lesson" from 1990 and the Yamaha video called "The drum set: A Musical approach" featuring Ed Soph and Horace Arnold from 1985. Both are invaluable when it comes to time, different styles, techniques, approaches, licks, etc. Covers all styles of music and techniques including brushes.
I also really liked Weckls A Natural evolution: How to develop Technique. Gary Chaffee's series of videos are great too for building a great basis for chops & working stuff out.
Hope it helps.
John
JP vid Rossana. repost
http://rapidshare.de/files-en/393130...rcaro.wmv.html
left click link, wait for 'ticket' to save.
I pulled out my Jeff vid and it is always a good watch! It has to be THE most efficient production made. There is NO wasted time and like Jeff, every note counts!
Keltner said he saw it for the first time years ago and was blown away at Jeff's writs strokes--so precise and fluid. He does make ghosting look so easy during those 1/2 time shuffles. Band plays great as well--Mike P & Garfield.
I also put in Purdie's vid. It is almost exactly the same content-- 1/8,1/16 note grooves; shuffles, 1/2 time shuffles, etc.
The production on this one however looks like Wayne's World--a video recorder on tripod in the basement. The sound quality is as good as a drum kit in your local store.
Hey Weck'sMech--I always wanted to see Ed Soph's vid. Glad to hear it is worthwhile.
I always loved Porcaro's playing, especially during the 80's. I especially liked the playing and writing on Hydra. I still listen to that CD in the car because I like the writing.
In my older years, I see to be more concerned with composition/music than chops. And you are right about Jeff, he gave the music "just enough" to be tasty.
I finally bought that Porcaro video a few months ago at Pro Drum and now feel it's kind of bland. Maybe because I've played those grooves a million times. But without Jeff, I would have never really worked on those ghost notes. I think I would have gotten alot more out of that video 10-15 years ago.
The Yamaha video w/Ed Soph was the video to have (back then), especially because of the insert they include that shows brush sticking pathways and patterns. I love instructional video's that give you rock, funk, jazz, balad, and latin information all in one. And then focus on patterns and methods that you can apply to the drum set immediatly (RLRLLRLRRLL etc.). That's why I like the Bissonette and Yamaha videos so much.
Weckls stuff is amazing for advanced players because of the "play along" factor. I actually set up a practice room with a big screen monitor, headphones, and a killer sound system so I could imitate band minus drums type stuff. Nothing like working your stuff out with Chick and Patatuchi playing right along with you.
Joe.... I think I'll be at NAMM on saturday also. Like I said, I need to check out who/what and where to deciede what I wanna see.
Ya know.... if you're interested, we could always get together and watch the Yamaha video. Or better yet?? How about an HOD drum circle?? That would be cool!!!
For a later post I guess.... [img]biggrin.gif[/img]
Peace.
Also, a MUST own is Gadd Live at PAS recorded in ?96. This is the ultimate in technique used to play MUSIC.
I watched Marco?s video tonight (this thread got me pullin' out the stuff) and it is like Greek to me. Greek is great to understand, but not to solely communicate with. He was doing a clinic and it was cool, but...<s>YAWN</s> after awhile I just get so bored, hoping, waiting for some time and groove.
What I dig so much about the Porcaro video is that stuff IS Jeff. There is so much confidence and conviction behind his notes. I play that stuff a lot and love it, but it isn't totally ME. So, Jeff playing what might be the antithesis of what Marco did was very simple, but musical...and that will always communicate over time.
Like T-Bo always says, "The Gadd stuff on the BRII is what all his non-drumming friends dig the most." Same with this Gadd PAS video. My buddy who always wanted to play drums--you know the guy who comes into your home and HAS to sit behind the kit and wail--he asked to borrow this video and is all Gadded out now. Of course he had no idea he played on so many hit tunes with so many artists..."WOW man, is that Steve Gadd on..."
Gadd is joined by Conte & Acuna for pure musical splendor. To use Gadd?s words, it?s "INSPIRING!"