Secret Weapons for the Modern Drummer DVD

Help me a lot in honing my technique, should be a standard.

Jojo has put a lot of work into this DVD and the amount of information is so high it's well worth the $27 price tag at Amazon (it's also worth waiting in line for it to become available). You will be working on foot exercises for a long time and the way he explains it is almost as if he were there with you guiding the way. He clearly states this is not a DVD to learn blast beats our double bass pedal. But if you master what he shows in both feet, George Kollias will have serious competition.A few notes:-- Disc 1 has a short introduction and Jojo goes straight to business teaching the basic motions of bass drum pedal technique. This evolves into more and more complex and efficient motions to activate the bass drum pedal at fast tempos. You will benefit if you've watched the hand technique DVD because the principles of motion between hand and foot are similar especially in the more advanced techniques (ie Moeller). The camera angles are the best possible and I can't imagine how the whole topic could be explained with more clarity. It feels like after this DVD, there's no reason for another one on foot technique.-- Disc 2 is more of a historical and technical overview of bass drum pedals and how they influenced technique and music. It may be less appealing to those who just want to play, but as in everything, knowing a bit of history and the evolving mechanics of a device makes you much more empowered to adapt to techniques and troubleshoot equipment. It also makes you more cultured when talking to drummers who are more advanced/educated. Jojo also discusses the use of leather soles as a means to slide the foot, which is very interesting, as well as sitting position/height/etc.-- Disc 3 focuses on the hi hat foot and again clearly demonstrates how the techniques discussed in Disc 1 should be used in this context. It's not as elaborate as Disc 1, and this is good because he avoids too much repetition since the concepts are the same. But it is still very important as Jojo discusses the nuances of the hi hat mechanism and how to use efficient biomechanics to play it.-- There are several performances throughout the 3 DVDs. Some are short beats as in the hand DVD and other are playing with musicians including his father. It is clear Jojo wanted to show his versatility as he plays in a latin-jazz, techno, country-rock, drum and bass etc and he does it really well. These performances are a real treat and all musicians are top-notch.In summary, if you're serious about playing better and having top notch footwork, buy this DVD.

I might be on my own here, but I think there are some drummers like myself who, although we have been playing for years (20 years plus for me), have not had lessons or cannot afford them. Nevertheless, we are still hungry for information and inspiration. One can only listen to records for so long without wanting to see someone actually playing.These type of instructional DVD's are shortcuts, but are the next best thing to lessons, I feel.This DVD fulfils that educational need for me - I find I can go back to it every so often. Anything that shows drummers that they do not need to hurt themselves by playing too hard by showing that natural physics should be made to work for us is very welcome. I think that in itself is a secret weapon - it's also VERY obvious, but there must be a few drummers out there who think they've got to look like they are in pain whilst playing and confuse that with making an effort.Hopefully this DVD shows them that they need to think about how they move and why some techniques may not be good for the arm, wrist or hand.If an instrumentalist wishes to perform (and be paid to perform) well into their 60's or beyond, they will need good technique - that probably holds true for any instrument. What Jojo does on this DVD in a lighthearted but fully accurate manner is show that the modern drummer has quite a few options available - in the way of using different strokes and grips.It is likely he will enlighten you to some extent, depending on how much you already know, of course.I won't use all of the techniques he describes, but the DVD did (and continues to) show me that I need to be aware of how my hands move and whether they are hurting whilst I'm playing at a gig. If they are, then I change what I'm doing. I can't do that if I don't have options - this DVD equips you well.It will depend on the style of music you like to play and you may find some of the ideas to be a bit like 'tricks', like the one-handed roll.Those who like to play full out rock may see that Jojo can play in a jazzy way and may follow that interest - in that case, may I also recommend Steve Smith's DVD, 'Standing on the Shoulders of Giants'.

This is a great video for hand technique. JoJo shows all of the different ways as faras the grip, fingers and hands with both the French and German grips. Very informative.

Nel mondo della batteria di oggi è molto facile accedere ad informazioni poco importanti ed è molto più difficile reperire contenuti utili e veramente preziosi.Ad esempio, restando nel campo della tecnica della cassa non c'è quasi nessun altro artista che, come ha fatto Jojo Mayer, sia partito da un'esperienza professionale veramente di altissimo livello e l'abbia messa a disposizione del pubblico attraverso materiale didattico davvero molto curato.Il valore educativo di questo DVD è davvero elevatissimo, e la realizzazione e la qualità del video e dei contenuti è ottima.La parte difficile è assimilare tutti i concetti qui descritti e successivamente applicarli, ma dal punto di vista teorico ci sono veramente tutte le informazioni su delle possibili applicazioni della tecnica del pedale.Da notare che questo DVD presenta tutte le tecniche col pedale singolo, ma che possono essere portate anche sul piede "slave" nel caso si voglia usarr il doppio pedale.Il DVD non si limita solo ad illustrare le tecniche, ma copre una varietà di argomenti relativi al posizionamento del pedale l'altezza dello sgabello, alla ricerca del punto di equilibrio, al fulcro, alla storia dei pedali, ecc ... e, naturalmente, con delle belle esibizioni intermedie di Jojo.Materiale davvero ben fatto!TOP!

ドラマーの友人に、誕生日に贈りました。大変お気に入りで、大切なライブは勿論、普段の練習でも使ってくれています。贈って良かったと思える品です。

Encore une fois, Jojo Mayer nous impressionne avec ses vidéos pédagogiques!Ce DVD est tout simplement génial, le premier DVD traite des techniques de base, le second de l'histoire de la pédale de grosse caisse et le troisième, des techniques avancées. Les exercices sont super intéressants et ses explications sont claires (quand on comprends l'anglais). Le seul hic de ce DVD, c'est qu'il est en anglais (et pas de sous-titres) et il y a pas mal de moments où ça parle, ça peut être long si on comprends pas :).

It's great! Trying to persuade a non-drummer that three DVDs devoted to foot technique may be a hard sell, but the structure, delivery and production values are so good that it really works. And he's a funny guy.DVD 1 is about bass drum technique, and in true Jojo fashion starts simply (as a teacher I was delighted that he says many of the things I have taught for years, such as not burying the beater in the head) and then moves on to constant release and hybrid techniques. DVD 2 is about the history of the bass drum pedal and again Jojo shows his knowledge, and love, of the history of the drum kit. DVD 3 is about hi-hat technique, with great explanations and demonstrations of how to apply it. Throughout he highlights areas that might cause problems and explains how to overcome them.He also has links to some great players of the past, such as Sonny Payne, which are well worth checking out. Overall, I recommend it highly.

El mejor DVD sobre técnica de agarre, moeller y mucho mas......explicado muy detalladamente. Jojo MAyer se sumerge en el dificil mundo de la técnica de percusión para detallarnos todas las técnicas básicas y no tan basicas del agarre de baquetas y los diferentes tipos de golpes y sus aplicaciones.