03/02
MIAMI—Warner Bros. Publications helps drummers two-fold with a new book / CD set called Transitions: A Comprehensive Independence Play-Along System from renowned performer and author Russ Miller. A "prequel" to Miller’s wildly popular and critically acclaimed The Drum Set Crash Course book (voted No. 1 educational drum method by Modern Drummer magazine), Transitions shows drummers how to negotiate the difficult, but important passage from two-limb (drum pad or snare drum), to full four-limb (drum set) independence, and is designed to help drummers gain facility on the instrument, while making them play music and become better musicians.
Building on lessons introduced in Miller’s earlier work, Transitions presents a carefully laid out plan for achieving true four-limb independence (both hands and both feet play autonomous parts). Through exercises, each with a play-along track, Miller shows how each limb can have a groove of its own, not relying on other limbs, yet maintaining its own dynamic relationship to the whole piece of music. He also emphasizes the importance of "lining up" the parts being played independently by each limb, so notes occur exactly at the same point in time, with no sloppiness.
"Achieving full four-limb independence is very essential to performing many of today’s most exciting drum styles," said Ray Brych, percussion product line manager for Warner Bros. Publications. "Russ does a superb job in spelling out how this important technique can be mastered. There is no ‘easy’ way to learn four-limb independence; it’s one of the most difficult and demanding steps in the learning process, but Transitions makes it more accessible, rewarding and fun. Drummers who absorb themselves in this learning tool will not only attain greater mastery of their instrument, they’ll become better all around musicians."
Transitions covers a wide range of musical styles, from alternative rock and blues, to funk and hip hop. These styles are well represented on the CD’s live recording play-along tracks that accompany each independence level.
Among the many helpful touches in Transitions are the "Developmental Ideas" that appear throughout the book. These "side-bars" provide practical advice and hints borne of experience that can help the drummer along the way. For example, the "Developmental Idea" for the "Two-Limb Independence (Linear); Sixteenth-Note Three-Note Groups" exercises, Miller advises the following:
"Work with a metronome with this kick drum development exercise. Start at about 60 B.P.M. and gradually work up to the tempo of the play-along track. This will definitely develop the kick foot, but this is also for working on the interaction of kick and snare. This exercise forces the placement of snare notes around kick drum phrases. This will be a great help later when working through various combination figures in full compositions."
Miller brings a wealth of experience to Transitions. Widely regarded as one of the top touring and session drummers in the world, he has performed with legends such as Ray Charles and modern-day superstars like Slash, Christina Aguilera, and Nelly Furtado.
Transitions: A Comprehensive Independence Play-Along System book/CD set has a suggested retail price of $19.95.
For more information visit the company’s website at: www.warnerbrospublications.com.
Warner Bros. Publications is a Warner Music Group Company, a division of Time Warner.
