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During 2023 I started to write some lesson exercises based on an old Drumsense idea, the 8-bar pattern. This concept was taught to me by Colin Woolway, who himself was inspired by the books and teachings of Jim Blackley and Ted Reed.
Over the course of a year or so, I realised I had enough content to fill a book, but had a surplus of ideas I wanted to publish. Eventually I decided to start a series of books, all under the banner of "Freedom Within Structure;" the name coming from an online conversation I had with New York tutor Matt Patella many years ago, it stuck in my mind as a wonderful metaphor for learning a musical instrument.
Whilst I am a huge fan of rudimental drumming, I often feel that the practicing of rudiments without a musical motive misses the point. The framework of a simple structure of quarter notes and eighth notes provides an almost endless supply of studies, only some of which are contained within these studies.
"Who knew that an 8 bar pattern could provide so much inspiration and direction. A beautifully presented book taking a simple idea and going all in. Wonderful exercises for the pad/snare, highly recommend!" - Ciara Chinniah, author of Odd Times Made Easy
For deluxe spiral-bound print editions, please email or WhatsApp to order (limited availability) £15.99 including mainland UK delivery
Standard print editions available from Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Ebook available from Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble and Google Play
The aim of this book is to show how a defined structure, in this case an 8 or 4-bar pattern, can provide a solid platform for playing with freedom on the drum set.
There is no set order as such with which to use the studies. I have deliberately avoided grading the studies in terms of difficulty, as they all offer something to players of all ages, abilities, and styles. The studies are written with a 4-piece set in mind but can easily be adapted to (much) larger setups.
"Anyone that is a fan of the great Jim Blackley's teaching methods or familiar with the endless variations of Ted Reed's page 38 will definitely enjoy James's books , a very welcome and somewhat challenging addition to any drummer's library. " - Steve White (Paul Weller, The Style Council, Hague & White, author of The Art of Drumming and Match Fit Hands)
For deluxe spiral-bound print editions, please email or WhatsApp to order (limited availability) £18.99 including mainland UK delivery
Standard print editions available from Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Ebook available from Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble and Google Play
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