Customer Reviews

Secret Weapons for the Modern Drummer DVD

5 star:		(71)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This DVD focuses on hand technique. It focuses not at all on drum set coordination, foot technique, beats, or "licks". Of course, if you master just some of the techniques he explains, particularly the Moeller technique and its variations, your ability to play beats (particularly jazz) and licks (particularly at breakneck speeds) will be greatly enhanced.

I think this is a great instructional video. The only competition of which I am aware in this particular niche are the Joe Morello technique DVDS. Morello's DVDs are wonderful and I recommend them, not the least because they have some of Morello's fantastic playing. But Mayer's DVD is even better than the Morello DVDs. The principal reason is that Mayer covers a broader range of techniques, ranging from the "free" or Gladstone stroke to the Moeller techniques and its variations to the one stroke roll. In addition, Mayer's explanations of each are as clear, detailed, and understandable as one could possibly want. Each technique is broken down into constituent elements, explained in depth, depicted both slowly and up to speed, and accompanied by recommended exercises for developing facility with the technique. There is enough practice material for years.

Mayer is a good person to present the material. He is not annoying or self-absorbed. He comes across as sincere, intelligent, knowledgeable, and concerned.

I was not familiar with Mayer before this DVD but am now a real fan. The segments in which he does some playing are a real treat. He is versatile, musical, and *incredibly* fast.

After a 10 plus year hiatus from playing drums, when I came back I found the web was full or instructional videos and information. First thing I wanted to do was install a fresh set of chops! Google introduced me to Moeller Method, YouTube was where I first saw and heard JoJo Mayer. I did waste money on another Moeller Method video that you should avoid but the purchase of Weapons for the Modern Drummer is money well spent. JoJo is not only a drummer of the high caliber but an excellent teacher as well. There is a wealth of information on this DVD. All of it is well presented with great camera angles and well thought out examples. He shows all the different grips, and goes into detail on Moeller and Gladstone and finger control. His presentation is fresh, humorous and addresses not only the physical aspects of technique but the mental part also. It is all there! He has a great respect for the instrument and it shows. A previous review says this is not for beginners but I'm not sure I agree. I would have loved to had this information when I first started many many years ago. It would have solved many questions I had at the time.

I've been playing for almost 20 years and seen a lot of instructional videos but I have never gathered as much info on hands as there is in this one. Jojo goes into great detail on the various techniques. His approach is very "scientific", breaking stuff down to the smalest nuances, explaining the physics behind it. You can finally start seeing what you've been doing wrong and how to improve it.
I hope he will do more DVDs, on feet etc. Highly recommended.

For most drummers, it begins with the hands. This DVD is packed with excellent technical details about how to go from the very beginnings, to stick fluency. These details are not only shown, but explained precisely and concisely. You also get to seem them demonstrated by a master. If I could recommend only one instructional DVD (and there are many excellent choices), this would be the one. I consider it a must have for any beginning drummer, regardless of playing style. I rate very few products with 5 stars, but this one clearly earned it.

Great drummers don't breaks sticks and heads. Jojo Mayer shows you EXACTLY how the physics of drumstick, drumhead and hand control work in your favor. Ever notice how great drummers' hands just flow effortlessly? It's because they know the sweet spot on a drumstick, how the hands, fingers and wrist work, how to allow the stick to rebound off the drumhead (as opposed to digging it into the head), etc.

As an added bonus, he does a couple of solo demonstrations that completely kicks MAJOR A$$. He is definitely one of my favorite drummers of all time.

Wow. WOW! I apologize but I'm still blown away by the content in this video. There has been a lot covered in other reviews so I'll just give you my experience with this video and how it's help me. I'll also restate the best aspects of this video.

I did my share of research before purchasing this video and just about everyone exclaimed how amazing it is. Well, look at the reviews here on Amazon. During the time of this review there are 48 reviews written and only a handful (5) are 4-star reviews, nothing lower. Everyone loves this video and for good reason. If you're looking to improve your hand technique (and who isn't) then this is the only video you will need to master.

I'm a bit of a late bloomer with the drums. I've always appreciated the drums very much but for some reason I grew up a bass player. Well I'm 27 now and it's about time to go ahead and hang up the bass. It's going to be impossible to cover 20 years worth of ground in the next few years, so instead I figured I would just become the best drummer I can become in the shortest amount of time possible. I noticed many drummers that have been playing for years that aren't very proficient have poor hand technique. I wanted to nip this one in the bud right away because I believe that will help me gain some time back. A lot of drummers focus on speed from the get-go and forget about technique and control - which in my opinion is much more important.

No amount of YouTube how-to videos can train you like Jojo can. I have learned much more during one viewing of this video then I've learned with all other YouTube videos I've watched combined. As stated in other reviews - Jojo not only has absolutely perfect technique, he also teaches these techniques very well.

Jojo is a great teacher. He comes across as a very down to earth, very professional and intelligent drummer. You can see his fluidity with every movement he makes, not just with the drums. Jojo guides you through each technique very thoroughly. He provides troubleshooting tips for the most common problems, I found these especially helpful. Jojo also does a great job of injecting little comedy bits throughout the video. The bit towards the end of the movie where he shows a hand clapping exercise is especially funny.

The most desired techniques are discussed, included the ever-so-sought-after Moeller technique. Actually the Moeller technique is discussed in great detail. You will also learn finger, wrist, forearm and shoulder techniques, the free stroke (or Gladstone method), French grip, German grip, Matched and Traditional grip and much more.

Jojo really showed me how to look at drums in a whole different light. I'm more pumped then ever!

One of the complaints I keep reading about is that he doesn't show a whole lot of him playing crazy beats behind the kit. Well, this is good and bad. It's bad because he's such a joy to watch, but it's good because that means you have 3 hours of good solid training content. I prefer the training because I can always check out YouTube and watch many Jojo videos.

Just get this. If you want to really go to the next level with your hand technique then you have no reason for not buying this. This is one of those videos I would pay hundreds of dollars for if I had to. I've stopped taking drum lessons because this video is elevating my skills much faster then my drum teacher ever could. Remember he makes it look so easy because it will become so easy, just keep practicing. Productive practice makes perfect.

I am a musician, drum instructor and music school owner. I have studied with Dom Famularo, Jim Chapin and Joe Morello and without question, this is the best instructional video on the Moeller technique in existence. JoJo is truly marvellous and breaking down Freestrokes, Moeller, Pumping Motions and how to apply them on the kit. The technical production is superb and the animations really bring out the lessons clearly. If you find you are sore, experience pain, break sticks, drum heads or any of the many aliments that plague drummers then you need to have this video. If you wish to play with more speed and have great control and feel, then this video is for you.

I would not be without Jo Jo's Video and it is one of my main teaching tools along with Tommy Igoes Groove Essentials, Jim Chapin's Speed, Power, Control and Endurance and Dom Famularo's book It's Your Move.

This is the most aggravating DVD I've ever seen. Not because it isn't good, but because it gives me nowhere to hide. I have other DVDs that try to explaining these techniques, but they don't actually explain them, and I could use that as an excuse for my not being able to play like that. Jojo's DVD is such an extraordinary model of clarity, simplicity, and painstaking detail that I really feel there is nothing left to explain. It's all right there. Now if I can't do a one-handed roll at buzz-roll speed, it's only because I haven't practiced it enough, not because I don't know how. I guess I'll just have to practice more--much more.

There really is nothing quite like this out there, and it is exactly what I've been looking for. It uses multiple camera angles, animation, slow-motion, repetition at various speeds, and, perhaps most useful from my point of view, he demonstrates a technique using all those tools, then shows you the same technique with no stick in his hand, so you can clearly see the finger, hand, and wrist motions and all the muscle contractions. If surgeons had an instructional video like this, there would never be another malpractice suit.

WOW !!! What a great video. So far, it's the best instructional video I have ever see, along with Joe Morello. Jojo is not here to show off his fantastic drummer, but instead he gives us the best explanation of how to use our limbs in the most natural way, resulting in a great increase of control and speed. Thank you MISTER Mayer !! This video a must have for any drummer, I mean any drummer !!! Get it ASAP !!!

Jojo's last effort is quite for sure one of the most complete works on hand technique available today, along with It's Your Move and Pedal Control (Book & CD) by Dom Famularo and also, Steve Smith's Steve Smith-Drumset Technique/History of the U.S. Beat DVD, that complete the subject with the clean explanation of feet technique. I highly recommend these three for a complete display of drumming techniques, from the most basic to the most advanced. One final note: even if Jojo has studied with the great Jim Chapin, it's quite easy to notice a big difference between his version of the "Full Moeller Stroke" and Jim's one (which is truly the full version of this technique), so don't miss to check out both to get the idea.