The Commandments of R&B Drumming: A Comprehensive Guide to Soul, Funk & Hip Hop, Book & CD [With CD] [Paperback]

Zoro (Author), Brian Mason (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1998

The Commandments of R&B Drumming is a historical and in-depth study of R&B drumming, from soul to funk to hip-hop, written by world-renowned session & live drummer Zoro (Lenny Kravitz, Bobby Brown, Sean Lennon). Topics include practice tips, developing the funky bass drum and hi-hat, creating and playing with loops, and what are considered the Ten Commandments of Soul, Funk, and Hip-Hop (the top ten recordings from each era). This book not only pays homage to the R&B drummers of the past, but gives the reader a fortune of invaluable information both in history and playing.

This newly revised 10th anniversary edition features updated information and loads of new photos and album artwork throughout. It includes a play-along CD featuring various styles of R&B, and also includes an R&B history tree. 160 pages covering every imaginable angle, nook, and cranny of R&B for only $24.95! The book was voted the #1 educational drum book in the world by Modern Drummer magazine's Readers Poll and also deemed "a must-have for the soulful drummer," by Traps Magazine.

"Zoro's book is a milestone achievement and the most comprehensive book on the subject of R&B drumming I have ever seen."
-Vinnie Colaiuta

"I consider Zoro's book an essential investment!"
-Dennis Chambers

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Alfred Publishing Co., Inc. (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0769216919
• ISBN-13: 978-0769216911
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Zoro, The Moses of Drummers, February 3, 2000

By 

Andrew V. Douglas (Northern Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Commandments of R&B Drumming: A Comprehensive Guide to Soul, Funk & Hip Hop, Book & CD [With CD] (Paperback)

I recently began "using" this book. One doesn't just read it. It is a history, study guide, practice guide, and motivator. Each of the major sections includes a discussion of the great artists, the terminology of the particular genre, a list of "must have" CDs, and actual transcriptions of specific grooves.

I'm looking forward to matching up the transcriptions to the grooves. When I'm handed a chart, I'll know what groove is expected. I already play some of the grooves, but this book shows the next logical step for growth; a slight variation or two. Also, in my case, I'm not up-to-date on the newer "Hip-Hop" and other grooves. Learning these will be major growth for me. I believe it's best suited to gigging drummers who want to expand their box o' chops. But things are laid out clearly enough for beginners.

If you want to get funkier and be ready to rock, I recommend this book. The list of CDs is worth the price.

Stay cool. Peace.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Stars aren't near enough! How about 10!!!, February 5, 2004

By 

Jamaica Jim (east aurora, new york USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Commandments of R&B Drumming: A Comprehensive Guide to Soul, Funk & Hip Hop, Book & CD [With CD] (Paperback)

Zoro, who is well respected in the drumming community, takes you through the evolution of R&B music with information about the drummers who laid down the groove, discographies of great albums, and lists of must-know tunes for the working drummer. The Chapters take you through the evolution of feels with lots of groove exercises and transcriptions of tunes typical of the feel/style.

Not only does Zoro teach you the grooves, but he presents great exercises for developing independence, especially to get those happy, stanky feet on the bass and hats. The progression of the lessons was so straightforward that I actually taught myself to read while studying this book.

The best part is that the Commandments of R&B Drumming is FUN. You will not find a more entertaining book anywhere on drumming. Zoro loves this music and it shows in his writing. Since I finished it, I still like to go back and breeze through the exercises just to dig on the grooves.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Buy this for the historical value alone., September 9, 2007

By 

Benjamin Johnson "bensdrums" (Great Falls, MT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Commandments of R&B Drumming: A Comprehensive Guide to Soul, Funk & Hip Hop, Book & CD [With CD] (Paperback)

I bought this book after seeing Zoro on the 2005 MD festival. What a groove. This is a great book for building a background of knowledge that is essential for any drummer looking to become a great groover. Get it and download every song or record mentioned in here; and listen. Zoro has dug up all the info on all the great players of R&B, motown, funk, soul, hip hop, etc. All great musicians are walking, talking encyclopedias of great recorded music and great players. This is the book for the drummer who understands he/she needs a history lesson as much as a drum lesson to find that magic pocket in their playing. The exercises outlined in the book are also quite valuable.