drum book – Practicing Drummer

Practice Material: Melodic Systems

Drummer Michael D’Angelo recently put out a new book of reading material that I’ve been enjoying for the last couple of weeks. I know Michael through his wonderful YouTube series on how to mic jazz drums. I’ve learned a lot from him and am happy to help spread the word about his book.

Michael’s book builds upon the many drum books designed to develop independence and coordination on the drum set, such as Ted Reed’s Syncopation and Gary Chester’s The New Breed.

Melodic Systems can be used in various ways and is only limited by your imagination, but Michael provides some exercise ideas to get you started.

What I like most about this collection is the thoughtful way that it’s organized. Michael has sections for eighth notes, sixteenths, triplets, and 12/8 rhythms. Each rhythmic study in the book puts the different combinations in a musical context while focusing on limited groupings (1-note, 2-note, 3-note, and 4-note). This is very useful for methodically working up challenging exercises.

After I bought the book (this is not a sponsored post), Michael sent over a promo code for me to share with you all. Use PRACTICINGDRUMMER at checkout for $5 off (digital version only). This code is good through August 2024.

Highly recommend!

Buy the digital version – promo code PRACTICINGDRUMMER (good through August 2024)

Buy the physical version

If you pick it up, let me know what you think!

Belrak – Demonic Independence

I heard about this drum book in an interview with drummer Kassa Overall on the Third Story podcast. He was talking about what things he’s practicing and mentioned Belrak. It’s a book of patterns derived from traditional West African bell patterns and support rhythms.

I’m so glad I found out about it! I love working on 6/8 patterns and this is such fun material to practice. The rhythms are deep and challenging.

I’ve been playing 6/8 my whole life…this book is some of the most complicated 2 against 3 that I’ve ever come across.
Kassa Overall

It took me a minute to find because I was searching for “Bell Rack,” but the full title is Belrak – Demonic Independence Using 12/8 & 24/8 Superstructures.

Latin Sounds From The Drumset

This is a long shot, but I am trying to find a copy of Latin Sounds From The Drumset by Frank “Chico” Guerrero.

It’s a drumset book that’s long been out of print. I used to have a copy, but must have lost it when I was at Berklee or in one of the several moves I’ve made.

Last week I spoke to someone at the publishing company and heard that there may be a digital version available by the end of the year, which would be great.

Until then, if anyone out there finds a copy or has one to sell, please get in touch.

Update! (4/13/2017)

I found a copy on Ebay. I’m very happy to have this book again. The section on the Nañigo around page 218 is particularly great.

I’ll see if I can get permission from the publisher to share a few pages.