Customer Reviews

Mel Bay's Complete Modern Drum Set

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This book I used during my high school days in 95, now a college student, I still refer to this book. Probably my favorite drumming book of all time, it gives you a summary of exercises and patterns of different styles. If you are a intermediate drummer who doesn't know where to start next, get this book and it will open your eyes to new styles you would want to study later on in the future.

This book is one that should be in every drummers library! There isn't one thing that Frank left out of this book. The book starts out with Rudimental Studies and applies them to the kit. This is a great section because, all those rudiments that you learn over the years can finally be applies to the kit in many different ways. From there you get into Linear Patterns and then R&B, Funk & Rock, Blues & Shuffle, World Beats and Odd Meters. All those sections will keep you all busy for quite a while. Make sure you make these grooves your own... play them until they are part of your library. The section I found fun and challenging is Over The Bar. This section has playing 3/16 in 4/4 time, 5/16 in 4/4 time and many others. I found that you could play some of these things over an ostinato, then move them around the kit... you can come up with some real cool ideas. Then there is the Play-Along Tape & Drum Charts, Appendix and the ever important Glossary. Make sure you get your copy as soon as possible, cause' this will take you to places you have never been before! Don't forget to get the video. This companion tape shows Frank's versatility as a drummer. WOW .... what a great drummer & author!!

The "Complete Modern Drumset" has taken my drumming to whole new level! Frank's presentation of the material is very thorough! He covers the basic rudiments, linear patterns, odd time signatures, how to play over the bar, polyrhythms, etc. He also teaches about different kinds of music like Jazz, Jazz Funk, Blues, and Rock, as well as a study of rhythms from other cultures like Afro Funk, the Nanigo, Bossa Nova, and many others.The video and CD contain musical samples and full length songs to show you how to apply them. Frank is an amazing drummer !!! I highly recommend this to anyone who really wants to expand their drumming vocabulary!!!! Shaad Madison

This book is not easy...it starts off with moderately difficult exercises and increases steadily from there. There is a ton of great stuff in this book for drummers of all ages...i haven't explored half of it and i've now owned it for 6 months. One of the most comprehensive books i've seen. Highly recommended

Since 1996 I (as my students) continue to enjoy and benefit from the wealth of (pragmatic)studies and (intuitively challenging) methods Frank has developed. To see a more complete singular volume is unlikely. This guide is likely, however, to become a standard reference of the new millenia. An excellent choice of material to follow introductory drumset studies (Ultimate Realistic Rock, The Encyclopedia of Groove, etc.) Bravo Mr. Briggs Bravo!!

I have been playing the drums for 10 years and this book showed me things i didn't know i could do on a drumset every drummer should have one.