Percussion Books

RELATING SOUND & TIME

Musicians of any skill level will benefit from the concepts and rhythm principles presented in these pages. Exploring the possibilities of theory and practice has heightened my musical sensibilities in profound ways. It is my hope that this sharing of perspectives will expand the reader's creative imagination and awareness about some of the world's great music.
$50.00

AFRICAN BELL RITUAL

This book of cross-rhythm and independence rituals is the result of over 20 years of researching and teaching African music in the Boston area. It expands upon rhythm principles from my most recent text on African and India rhythm theory (Relating Sound & Time); ideas which are now presented in a more concrete structure and progression. Although geared toward the drummer/percussionist, any musician (or composer) could benefit from the underlying principles and patterns that result within the various rituals presented, exploring deeper potential of both mind and body. While realizing this project I discovered many hip and cool grooves; however, there are literally an infinite number of ways to explore the boundaries which exceed my own. Ultimately, every musician must take what they are taught (or discover) and make it a part of who they are before embarking on such creative journeys.
$12.00

MASTER DRUMMERS OF WEST AFRICA

The material presented in this text is based directly on field research conducted in West Africa while under the guidance of three Master Drummers. Musical examples are introduced in the same private lesson format as they were learned in Africa-an approach which should allow you to move quickly through style and variation with some background information provided along the way. West Africa encompasses more than three music traditions; no single text can completely discuss any one style. In Ghana alone there are numerous musical styles which could fill volumes-an amazing fact for a country the size of Oregon. The purpose of this text is to expand your rhythmic and cultural awareness through music and drumming while offering insights into more contemporary application, performance and composition using traditional foundations.
$25.00

VOLUME I: AFRO-AMERICAN ASPECTS

Completely revised and rewritten, this second edition of Volume I offers numerous sophisticated rhythmic examples for percussionist and drummer alike. The first 100 pages introduces over 30 ethnic and contemporary instruments, over 100 detailed photographs of conga technique, with many rhythmic examples and ideas for application. Also presented are over 56 traditional African and Latin American ensemble conga rhythms with dozens of adaptations to drum set. This section of Volume I exposes the drummer/percussionist to many important music traditions while offering insight into contemporary applications. The last 70 pages of Volume I examine the drum set within several western idioms which directly or indirectly evolved with ethnic influences. Beginning first with a study on rudiments, this second part of volume one then examines jazz, rock, jazz-rock fusion, and funk music with dozens of applicable drum set examples. This volume provides an important link between the drummer and percussionist.
$25.00

VOLUME II: INDIAN INFLUENCE (TABLA PERSPECTIVES)

This expanded third edition to Volume II reflects a complete rewrite of a tabla book first conceived of in 1985. Indian Influence presents many carefully examined insights, concepts and philosophies into the critical aspects for playing north Indian tabla. This tabla text includes thorough explanations of tabla technique, concepts of rhythmic cycles and playing speeds, plus over 150 pages of performing repertoire within 6 popular rhythmic cycles. Over 200 photographs supplement detailed discussions on tabla technique, tabla history and traditional & contemporary applications, which will illuminate students on how to play tabla. Designed as a detailed teaching tool, the material in this tabla book unfolds in parallel motion with the evolution of the students' technique and theoretical understanding of tabla performance.
$30.00

VOLUME III: MALLETS, METERS & MULTIPLE PERCUSSION

Volume III of Series A.I.M. examines percussion instruments and repertoire, metric concepts, and multiple percussion designs present within traditional and contemporary classical music. The first section - "Mallets" focuses on the understanding and performance of various mallet instruments from timpani and bass drum, to xylophone, marimba and orchestra bells. Each chapter contains detailed illustrations, descriptions and performance repertoire. Section Two "Meters" examines metric concepts including odd meters, changing meters, metric modulation, rhythmic phasing, polymeters and polyrhythms.The final section "Multiple Percussion", examines percussion set-ups designed by traditional and 20th-century composers with techniques and concepts of percussion notation and performance. This final section on multiple percussion combines all topics presented throughout Series A.I.M., as ideas are presented for designing and performing a multiple percussion set-up. This section will conclude with ideas for combining categories of instruments from different cultures.
$25.00

CLAVE

The traditional wooden clave, which we associate with Afro-Cuban music, is actually derived from the African concussion sticks and clappers of centuries past. Much like the role for the bell player within traditional African music, the clave's function is that of a time keeper, back-bone and foundation for traditional rhythms with which it is used. The clave rarely incorporates variations within a given performance. This helps to develop player discipline as one is called upon to play an essential, unchanging clave pattern for the duration of the performance. This book, although brief, begins to answer many questions about the diverse history and use of clave, from its early beginnings in African and Egyptian cultures to the popular and more familiar Cuban clave of Afro-Latin music. The application of Clave - instruments and philosophy - is limited only by the player's imagination.
$10.00

DRUM SET ADAPTATIONS OF NORTH INDIAN TABLA

Drum Set Adaptations of North Indian Tabla will open new doors for the pioneering drummer/percussionist. This unique book presents over 100 tabla compositions which have been adapted to the western drum set. These tabla adaptations serve as a foundation for the experimenting percussionist to explore rhythm and variation using different concepts and interpretations.
$12.00