Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
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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.

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.

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.

If you have an inkling of interest in funk and soul drumming, or just wonder who was that amazing drummer on that old soul hit, this is the book for you. Zoro's love of this music is infectious and makes it a joy to read. His transcriptions are dynamite and answer many questions of "How did they do that" for many great songs. The CD is a great tool to help you practice these grooves and his lists of recommended music have turned me on to some drummers I wasn't already familiar with. Once you have this book, the next step is to get the DVD which has him performing all this great music. ...

slowly begun to work my way thru it. so far looks good and seems to be what I was looking for & expecting.

This is an excellent book if you are looking to learn more about R&B drumming, and the history if the music. It's formed chronologically and really walks you through the different phases of R&B all the way up to the current. Zoro is really an amazing player and an excellent teacher as well. Get this book!

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am goin thru ths fantastic drum book...almost covers everythin...a comprehensivestudy of the rock and funk styles..after gettin thru ths book...i recommen future sounds for funk......

my husbands love this book for all musicians this is a must have for drum programing as well and a addition to your studio tools for sampling and programing .