Recommended Reading: Hanon's Virtuoso Pianist
An essential reference for piano students and professionals for decades, The Virtuoso Pianist is more commonly known as "The Hanon Book." Its popularity is well warranted, as it serves as an excellent method for building strength and dexterity on the keyboard.
These exercises should be employed as a regular part of any player's practice routine, regardless of ability level. While the notation and fingerings can appear challenging to the beginner, the method is designed to gradually introduce comfort and mobility around the piano. To help break down the first two exercises into a less daunting form of notation, I've created a worksheet called Hanon Simplified, which is available on the Reference page
Recommended Reading: Faber Piano Adventures
Recommended Reading: Faber's First Piano Adventures
In sorting through the dearth of publications for beginner piano, Faber's series has become my most often used.
My First Piano Adventure offers a fun, step-by-step method for introducing young beginners to the piano. With traditional songs, classic compositions, and even some music history and theory, these books are a great way to get kids into the world of music.
Recommended Reading: George Lawrence Stone's Stick Control
For many drummers, Stick Control is the foundation of learning and the first book in their collection. Stone's method is simply and succinctly mapped out, and provides critical technical challenges for drummers of all ability levels.
I recently came across this great interview with the legendary Kenny Aronoff, who shares (among other things) a really usefull way to work Stick Control into your practice routine.
Latin Grooves: Bossa Nova
Latin Grooves: Afro-Cuban
Guitar Scales
Here's a few worksheets for learning scale patterns on the guitar. Each scale is notated with tablature, along with its parent chord.
![major scale patterns [2 octave].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5159a2fde4b01288f25138bb/1491330045133-G3PLYO87GMSNAFC7DUAX/major+scale+patterns+%5B2+octave%5D.jpg)
![minor scale patterns [2 octave].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5159a2fde4b01288f25138bb/1491330049285-6F222LUQC7EKIZTB04RX/minor+scale+patterns+%5B2+octave%5D.jpg)
Playlist: Rock Basics II
Refer to the drum set patterns on the Rock Basics I worksheet; play along and have fun!
Playlist: Rock Basics I
Refer to the drum set patterns on the Rock Basics I worksheet; play along and have fun!
Pretty Eyes
Here's a lead sheet transcription I did for Horace Silver's tune "Pretty Eyes." Be sure to dig on the full record, entitled The Cape Verdean Blues.
Days of Power: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Featuring the song "Back to the Bottle" by Grady Hoss and the Sidewinders
Return to Grisly Manor
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of recording drums and percussion for the soundtrack to Fire Maple Games' new title, Return to Grisly Manor.
The game features an original score by David Decker of NeoSonic Productions, along with percussion parts composed and arranged by yours truly.
Return to Grisly Manor is now available for iOS and Android devices - and features a free version to give the first level a spin without commiting to the purchase.
Ballad of a Thin Man
Today is Bob Dylan's 75th birthday. That alone is enough of a reason to pay tribute to the great songmaster, who is still touring the world and releasing albums. A hero in the highest degree, his artistry is matched only by his longevity. Dylan's stature in the pantheon of musical greatness is becoming more lonely these days as his illustrious generation begin to shuffle off, so respect is due while he's still here to receive it.
As a small offering, I decided to repost a live recording from a 2008 recital in Philadelphia. I was charged at the time with constructing a solo piece for drum set, and I chose to arrange Dylan's "Ballad of a Thin Man" from Highway 61 Revisited. I wasn't especially interested in pure solo drums at the time, so I arranged the verses around my vocal. It was an interesting challenge to adapt the tune for drums and vocal with no harmonic accompaniment, and am grateful for the inspiration to test the limits.
Have a listen to the rest of the recital, or just go listen to some Bob Dylan records. Seriously.
R. Hyde Guitars Promo
UPDATE: Hyde has launched a Kickstarter campaign!
My good friend Ryan Hyde builds exquisite bass guitars, and I'm honored to have my music be a part of his vision. Here's a recent promo video for R.Hyde Guitars, featuring music from Megalodon's first release, Edible.
![Edible [CD]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5159a2fde4b01288f25138bb/1463157174110-31U8KMQPXIXHPT2LY0KE/megalodon+cd.jpg)
Edible [CD]
Quantity:
Artisan Luthier Ryan Hyde is building some of the most forward thinking, futuristic bass guitars yet. And He's doing it all by hand.
"I've created a distinct new line of bespoke bass guitars that epitomize the fusion of modern and classic design.
These Instruments satisfy the stringent needs of modern musicians, and address design issues such as weight, balance, tonality, and reliability; Yet each model occupies a unique /original niche in the cloistered world of custom basses.
Bassists are always working to expand the vocabulary of music and I'm trying to expand the vocabulary of the instruments they play."
Source: http://www.rhydeguitars.com
Freddie Mac Commercial
I recently took a trip over to NeoSonic Productions and tracked some drums and percussion for this commercial. So, buy a house, I guess?
Required Reading: Rick Latham's Advanced Funk Studies
Required Reading refers to the necessity that you, the music student, read this book! Lauded as some of the best educational publications available, the manuscripts covered in this series come highly recommended to anyone interested in expanding ability and musicality.
John Eddie's "Won't Be Me"
Many of my students are looking for compact charts to help them learn songs, but may find many traditional resources provide too much or too little information. Looking for a custom, concise chart of your favorite tune? Contact me and I can make it happen for you!
Here's a guitar/vocal chart that I made for John Eddie's "Won't Be Me".
Grüvis Malt's "Aggression"
A partial transcription of a gnarly tune from Gruvis Malt called "Aggression" from their album ...With The Spirit of a Traffic Jam.
If you haven't heard of this band, seriously scope them out.
Download PDF
Grüvis Malt
The Rudiments
These succinct rhythms and sticking patterns are the like the alphabet in drumming language. International canon for decades, the Percussive Arts Society offers this and many other essential drumming resources at their website.
