It was my first "jazz" book and at the time I loved it. But having learned of Alan Dawson's methods, I find this book to be obsolete.
Very few people agree with you. I suggest taking the view that you missed something.....
Respectfully,
Casper
I tend to agree with The_Colonel and oops - Advanced Techniques blew me away when I first opened it. It was the first jazz book I studied, I had no clue what I was doing, and it kicked my ass many times. Years later when I found Art of Bop, and more recently the Dawson book, I find the practical aspects of the Chapin book handicapped.
Riley's book actually talks about, you know, the MUSIC and provides the same fundamentals in a better layout, while the Dawson book really explores the more advanced conceptual aspects in ways that inspire you too extrapolate with your own variations. The Chapin book is mostly just a pig of an excercise book, but this is jazz, this is creative expression, and the book gives me very little on this front.
Actually, as you know Colonel, the opposite is true. Though historically, Jim's books was an extraordinary move forward in drum set technique, many people then and now did/do not see it's value, except for the opening sections. I, personally, like the lay out because it presents fundamental rhythmic concepts, which become the basis for many popular grooves. It has become so much more valuable because now we can see that there are many ostinatos that you can play against these fundamental patterns.
As I know what opposite is true?
If you haven't used his book, and are privvy to why he put the book out, I feel that maybe he was trying to make a buck (perhaps back in the day, 'cause he's very very old now)
Sure it's a "starting point" but there are other more worthwhile starting points these days. I still love the fact that everyone here is still so gun[g]-ho about the book, while claiming to know absolutely NOTHING about Dawson...
Just sad...that's all.
[I am trying to HELP everyone here]