Jimmy Cobb drum solo on "Two Bass Hit"

Here's a transcription of Jimmy Cobb trading 8s at the top of this recording.

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The Prestige Recordings [16 CD Box Set][International Version]

By John Coltrane

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Grady Hoss & The Sidewinders - Bloodbuzz Ohio

Dig the new single from Grady and the Sidewinders. From the new EP release, coming in 2018!

Grady Hoss and the Sidewinders are following up their 2016 release of "Over & Out" with a new release coming this fall. Here's a sneak peak at the 5 song EP.

Omnitale - Illicium

The new album from Composer/Performer Zachary Guy-Frank, this project is an evolution of his former solo project, Pterofractyl.

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

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Recommended Reading: Faber Piano Adventures

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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.

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Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

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. 

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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.

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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.

Senior Recital [Live]

Have a listen to the rest of the recital, or just go listen to some Bob Dylan records. Seriously. 

Highway 61 Revisited

By Bob Dylan

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]

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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."