Kendrick Lamar is one of the most important hip-hop artists of this decade. His album To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) was fully acclaimed by the critics and the next DAMN. (2017) won the Pulitzer Prize for Music. This album presents an introspective Lamar and important collaborations with artists such as U2, Rihanna, James Blake, and Zacari. Combining … More Kendrick Lamar – DAMN. (Drum Beats Transcription)
A non-profit organization called Makers4Good contacted me and asked me to review their new product, Backbeater launched with a Kickstarter campaign on August 14. As described by Makers4Good: “Backbeater is the world’s most advanced metronome for drummers. With the Backbeater Sensor, it knows the tempo you’re playing. Backbeater allows drummers to monitor their tempo: either freestyle or … More Backbeater – Product Review
Here’s the full drum sheet music for “Giorgio by Moroder” by Daft Punk, from their last studio album Random Access Memories (2013) with John JR Robinson and Omar Hakim on drums. The drum transcription is available for purchase and includes the amazing drum solo played by Omar Hakim and a notation key.
Migration by Bonobo has been one of my favorite albums of 2017, a perfect representation of what electronic music can be: interesting and sophisticated. The use of samples is top-notch, and as done with his previous albums, the collaboration with vocalists gives the songs a memorable appeal. Written with Jon Hopkins, the album’s self-titled track opens … More Bonobo – Migration (Drum Groove Transcription)
Matt Garstka is one of the most representative drummers of this decade, his work with the metal band Animals as Leaders is phenomenal, showing his great technical abilities and his huge sense of timing. From the performance “Madness of Matt Lesson Series” here’s the transcription of the introductory drum fill and groove for “Inner Assassins”, … More Matt Garstka – Inner Assassins (Intro Drum Fill & Groove Transcription)
The full drum sheet music for “Dream Warriors” by Dokken, from their album Back for the Attack (1987), is now available! The song has a simple groove with an accent variation every four measures (figure below). The chorus introduces a syncopated bass drum pattern with the same hi-hat 8th note pattern. The interesting part is … More Dokken – Dream Warriors (Drum Sheet Music)
Here’s another Max Roach drum transcription: the trading fours played on “Mack the Knife” (also known as “Moritat”) from the album Saxophone Colossus (1956) by Sonny Rollins. The zip file includes the transcription in PDF format plus the audio file of the drum part. DOWNLOAD I’m very proud to announce that my blog has been … More Max Roach – Mack the Knife (Drum Trading Fours Transcription + Audio File)
Leprous is a progressive metal band from Norway, their music combines melancholy atmospheres, melodic vocals, and polyrhythmic grooves, incorporating different genres from progressive to experimental and avant-garde.Here’s the full drum sheet music for “Mb. Indifferentia” from their album Bilateral (2011) with Tobias Ørnes Andersen on drums. The drum transcription is available for purchase.
Sounds from Rikers Island (Audio Fidelity, 1963) is an album by jazz pianist and composer Elmo Hope. It features Hope on piano, Lawrence Jackson on trumpet, Freddie Douglas on saxophones, John Gilmore on tenor, Ronnie Boykins on bass, Philly Joe Jones on drums, Earl Coleman, and Marcelle Daniels on vocals. The tracklisting includes legendary jazz standards such as … More Philly Joe Jones – One for Joe (Drum Solo Transcription)
For all jazz lovers, this month I’ll share two transcriptions from the work of Philly Joe Jones with two great jazz musicians. Let’s start with the first: Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section (Contemporary/Original Jazz Classics, 1957) is an album by Art Pepper. Despite the physical shape and possible exaggerations, he created a milestone with … More Philly Joe with Art Pepper (Drum Transcription)
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