The Commandments of R&B Drumming

REVIEW

I purchased a number of method books awhile back for my teaching library ... one of which is Zoro's The Commandments of R&B Drumming - A Comprehensive Guide to Soul, Funk and Hip-Hop (book/CD).

This 156 page book is a comprehensive guide to Soul, Funk and Hip-Hop drumming styles. It includes a historical discussion and practical grooves from each era of R&B, plus transcriptions of some of the most famous grooves in each style. There's also development of the funky Bass/Kick drum and Hi-Hat techniques, how to create and play with loops, and the Ten Commandments (a listening guide) of Soul, Funk, and Hip-Hop. The CD supplied with the book has examples and a play-along for each style discussed in the book.


I highly recommend the Commandments of R&B Drumming ... it should be in every drummer's library, if not for all the great grooves ... at least for the wonderful historical study on the art of R&B drumming. A great value!


May 2007 - Update:

Alfred recently annouced the upcoming release ot the 10th Anniversary Edition of Zoro's The Commandments of R&B Drumming (A Comprehensive Guide to Soul, Funk and Hip Hop) (ISBN 0769216919).

The Commandments of R&B Drumming is a historical and in-depth study of R&B drumming, from soul to funk to hip-hop, written by world-renowned session & live drummer Zoro (Lenny Kravitz, Bobby Brown, Sean Lennon). Topics include practice tips, developing the funky bass drum and hi-hat, creating and playing with loops, and what are considered the Ten Commandments of Soul, Funk, and Hip-Hop (the top ten recordings from each era). This book not only pays homage to the R&B drummers of the past, but gives the reader a fortune of invaluable information both in history and playing.

This newly revised 10th anniversary edition features updated information and loads of new photos and album artwork throughout. It includes a play-along CD featuring various styles of R&B, and also includes an R&B history tree. 160 pages covering every imaginable angle, nook, and cranny of R&B for only $24.95! Voted the #1 educational drum book in the world by Modern Drummer magazine's Readers Poll, this is a must-have for any drummer's collection.