Not So Modern Drummer proudly welcomes new columnist and new advertiser, Joel Rothman. Joel is the author of almost 100 drum instruction books, most notably the best selling “Basic Drumming”, a very thick all-in-one method book for beginning and intermediate students of snare drum and drum set. I started using this big red book in 1996 when I encountered it at Fork’s Drum Closet In Nashville where I taught for a number of years. Twenty five years and hundreds of students so later, I am still using it as my primary instruction book. While it does not completely replace the five or six most historically popular instruction books that most drum teachers use, it addresses the subjects in those books well enough to start beginners and intermediate students. I found that instead of having students buy those six books - Stick Control by Stone, Syncopation by Reed, Advanced Techniques by Chapin, Realistic Rock by Appice, and the Rudimental Cookbook by Freytag – I was having them buy this one book that is more than enough to get first year students started. It is also less expensive than buying six books.
The topics covered are:
Reading basic rhythms
Reading rolls
Basic technique including sticking patterns, accent patterns & 40 rudiments
Marching cadences
Drum charts of big band, dance band and theatre show arrangements
Rock drumming including grooves, fills, shuffles & 4 way coordination
Jazz swing drumming including fills and solos
Common beats; ethnic, rock, jazz and latin drum set rhythms
Linear drumming
Most teachers have to supplement any method book with material that they write or material from other books. I have found that I need to do less of this with Basic Drumming. This is the book that I and scores of other drum teachers have recommended to new teachers who ask the question, “What books should I use with this first student?” The answer is – just one book – Basic Drumming, by Joel Rothman.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Joel studied drums and percussion, as well as piano, with well-known teachers such as Sam Ulano, Ed Shaughnessey, Jim Chapin, Joe Morello, Saul Goodman, and others. He first opened his own private drum studio, then later, after graduating from university, he taught in the New York City school system for many years. During that time Joel was a free-lance drummer playing with various bands and orchestras at private functions, nightclubs and musical shows.
Writing his first book at fifteen, Joel also established his own highly successful publishing company JR Publications, which has been going for over half a century. For many years he continued to teach, write, publish and promote his books, which form a unique system for learning to play drums.
Mr. Rothman is the prolific author of almost 100 drum and percussion method books, many of which are used in private music studios as well as schools and universities world wide. He has also published music joke books, music puzzle books and music books for children. I am looking forward to the articles he is writing for Not So Modern Drummer.
Click HERE to buy Basic Drumming at DrumSellers.com
To peruse Mr. Rothman’s many publications, go to www.joelrothman.com