where to start ?

[drumin 4 jc]

okay, i've been playing now for about 5 years. i guess you could say that i am a self-taught drummer, i have never had any lesssons but although i have not, i have always been able to meet my requierments as a drummer by simply listening to the music to be performed. as this has served me well enough for the time, it is time to move foward to the next level. so my question is where to start? wait, i thought i heard someone say at the beginning, o.k., there are not any instuctors in my area so what books or dvds would you recommened? I have looked though books and dvds that are rated here on this site but there are so many i dont know where to start, thanks for your help and input !

[Chazz]

Try taking On-line drum lessons....
http://www.mikeslessons.com


Best,
Chazz

[diosdude]

If you've been playing for five years, you're probably at intermediate level, solid on groove and basic fills. Try Dave Weckl's video called "back to basics" it's remedial for guys just like you.

cheers and have fun

[Toby_Jackson]

You'd best start with an overall method that covers a lot of ground, something like Pat Petrillo's "Hands, Grooves and Fills", Steve Smith's "History of the US Beat & Drumset Technique", or Todd Sucherman's "Methods and Mechanics".

You could look specifically at technique development; books like Joe Morello's "Master Studies" or Gary Chaffee's "Patterns" series, and DVDs like Jojo Mayer's "Secret Weapons for the Modern Drummer" or Matt Ritter's "Unburying the Beater" would give you a wealth of hand and foot info.

Or specialize in style, check out books like Tommy Igoe's "Groove Essentials" (and the DVD), Zoro's "Commandments of R&B Drumming", Rick Latham's "Advanced Funk Studies" (linear funk), Stanton Moore's "Take it to the Street" (getting you into n'awlins-style funk), or John Riley's "Art of Bop Drumming" - these can diversify you into some of the most common styles we drummers are asked to play.

So there's a mouthful of names, depends on what you're looking for really. For the broadest in-general approach, I'd recommend Petrillo's "Hands, Grooves and Fills" DVD, Igoe's 'Groove Essentials" book and DVD, and Riley's "Art of Bop Drumming" (for a good dose of musical jazz exercises).

[drumin 4 jc]

thanks for your replys, this should help.