Quick Take— Ray Luzier's Double Bass Drum Techniques Instructional Book

Quick Take Review:

Ray Luzier’s Double Bass Drum Techniques

by author/drummer Ray Luzier

(Hal Leonard, softcover, 54 pages, video access included)

By Dendy Jarrett

INTRO

Anytime I get my hands on a Hal Leonard publication, I can be confident that it is a well-vetted learning resource. Korn drummer Ray Luzier is the author, and his featured guest artists are legendary bassist Billy Sheehan and guitar great, Toshi Hiketa. The book features a key code that grants you access to the accompanying videos in a very well done and easy to use format. The complete lessons are on these videos as well as some great performances that give you an example of real-life application of the techniques. This Hal Leonard book is also part of the Musicians Institute Press repertoire.

APPLICATION

This book is a combination of lessons and ostinatos that are nicely transcribed. And easy to read and follow. You don’t have to be a fan of heavy metal to benefit from this book.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Contains essential techniques including

                o  Warm-ups, accents, and double stroke roll exercises
                o  Hand and foot coordination exercises
                o  Independence, Motion, and ostinato exercises
                o  Double bass drum techniques, grooves, and fills
                o  Building bass drum speed

•  Book is designed to develop

                o  Endurance
                o  Coordination
                o  Flexibility
                o  Independence

•  Book includes a video code that allows you to access the entire lesson for download or streaming. The video features the guest artists aforementioned.

• Grooves that will work for primarily modern rock but the principles can apply to just about any genre of modern music.

CONCLUSION

It should be noted that I am not a double bass drum player. I do have a double pedal that I rarely use, so this book proved to expose some areas of weakness for me. What I found—the principles used for double bass can apply to a bass drum and hi-hat combination as well. The idea of exercises for both feet is always beneficial to drummers.

As with any book, take it slow. Work with a metronome and gradually increase the tempo, as you get comfortable with the independence of each groove. Independence can be a tricky thing. It takes a lot of mental stamina to work through things that can at first be awkward.

When you have mastered the grooves, they will become second nature and will serve you well in your drumming.

You’re never too young or old to learn.

RESOURCES

WEB – www.HalLeonard.com

PURCHASE - To puchase this book from Musician's Friend

DISCUSS -  To discuss drums and percussion at Harmony Central

Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.