Tag: drum book

Eric Harland Transcription Book

Mastery of Eric Harland book cover

Alex Snydman’s book of Eric Harland transcriptions, The Mastery of Eric Harland, is finally available to order directly through his website and some drum shops as well (Good Hands in NYC, Badges in Ohio, Pro Drum in LA).

If you’re not in the US, I think that Southern Percussion in the UK will be carrying it as well. I’ll update here as more stores start carrying it.

Alex’s playing in his promo video sounds fantastic and the transcriptions are great. I’ve been checking out Eric Harland a lot lately and the timing of this book couldn’t be more perfect for me.

Congrats to Alex for getting this out into the world (and thanks for the spiral binding!). I ordered my copy as soon as it was available and have had it for a week or so now–there’s a lot to digest.

I can’t imagine the time and effort that went into these transcriptions. Very impressive. The View from Moscow transcription alone spans seven pages!

Here are a couple of photos so you can get an idea of what’s in the book.

CONTENTS FOREWORD by John Riley ABOUT THE AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INTRODUCTION MY BEST ADVICE ON HOW TO USE THIS BOOK NOTATION KEY. MOMENT'S NOTICE VIEW FROM MOSCOW BYUS .. ACTUAL PROOF FIRST SONG STORY # 1 RAGHAVAN HIGHSCHOOLISH MO' BETTER BLUES STORY # 2 SHED SMILE TRANSFORM KARMA CANON PERDIDO TREACHERY STORY # 3 CARAVAN ISABELLA MEETS WALLY FAR AWAY SHORES INTERVIEW
Page one of the View from Moscow transcription

You can order the book here.

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

Belrak drum book cover art

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.

Continue reading “Belrak – Demonic Independence”