Advanced Concepts

by Kim Plainfield

Seeing as I reference this book so often, I thought I'd better include it on my list of classic books. Here's a brief rundown of what you'll find inside one of my favorite method books of all time.

Chapter 1 includes a number of exercises focused primarily on hand and foot technique. Concepts covered include methods for increasing single and double stroke roll speed, paradiddle facility, and a challenging section on hi-hat foot technique.

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Chapter 2 is all about contemporary styles, and even though this book dates back to 1992, this section is still extremely relevant. Touching on everything from Jazz and Funk to Afro-Cuban and Brazilian, this section provides much more than just a collection of patterns in various styles. Preliminary exercises along with technical insights provide the fundamental knowledge necessary to play these styles convincingly, while simultaneously transitioning the reader into the style one step at a time. While the patterns presented are advanced, if you take your time and master the exercises in sequence, the patterns become much more manageable.

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Chapter 3 introduces rhythmical concepts, and this is where the book really gets challenging, yet fun at the same time. There's just too much good information contained in this section to even describe. The Rolling In Triplets section contains exercises that I use for every student in my private lessons, and the lessons on polyrhythms are some of the most "approachable" I have encountered on the subject. If you're a Dave Weckl fan (I can't imagine a drummer who isn't), you'll definitely want to check out the six stroke roll, a.k.a. paradiddle-diddle section. You may find yourself playing phrases that sound eerily familiar to some of the most famous drummers of all time. 

If you're in the market for a challenging method book that will help take your playing to the next level, you'll definitely want to check out Advanced Concepts. This book belongs in every drummer's library!

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