John Blackwell Technique, Grooving and Showmanship DVD

Rating:
Summary: John Blackwell Technique DVD
Review: John is one of the great drummers out there. He has an amazing groove and chops like I have never seen. This dvd shows both. The foot technique section is worth the price the of a 2 disc set. There is a lot of playing on this dvd. John is an incredibly nice man that clearly wants to share as much as he
can. There is a section on showmanship and stick twirling that I have never seen on any video or dvd. It is great and after watching it a few times, I was able to start doing. I highly recommend it for any drummer serious about playing the
drums. It is well worth the money.

Rating:
Summary: get this
Review: this dvd has it it all. great angles, great sound and incredible playing. i have learned alot watching this over and over. john is a great guy and that comes across as well. his groove is amazing and his chops are too. this dvd is well worth the money. every drummer should have it.

Rating:
Summary: Will definitely improve your drum skills
Review: This DVD starts out somewhat slow, but once the teaching starts you'll learn some amazing techniques. I'll preface with the fact that Blackwell's overall style and approach does not match the direction in which I am going, but he is a master drummer who is also deeply intellectual and highly effective when it comes to imparting knowledge.

Among the "secrets" I learned was how to do single-handed drum rolls. I've carefully studied Buddy Rich for years and could never come close to his single-hand roll technique. However, Blackwell shows how to do it is a straightforward manner. In less than two days of practice I have it down. That alone is worth many times the price of this DVD, but there is more. If you've ever heard Blackwell play you'd swear that he is using a double bass pedal. Not so - his amazing bass pedal work is single pedal, and he shows how to achieve the same speed and bass groove in the same straighforward manner as he did with the single-handed rolls. It comes down to doing coordination exercises with your sticks and fitting in the bass patterns. Simple on the surface, but extremely effective.

Throughout this video I learned one technique after another. Blackwell does not jealously guard his secrets - indeed, he is effusive in giving credit to his many influences - and he comes across as sincerely interested in sharing them. He is also a font of knowledge when it comes to the history of great drummers and, in one fascinating discussion connects the dots of influences back to Baby Dodds. Another thing I enjoyed (and learned from) is his ability to recreate the style of drummers who influenced him, then combine those styles into composite solos.

Like those who came before him, Blackwell - thanks to this video - has a profound influence on my own playing. I mentioned earlier that his and my styles diverge, but the techniques he imparted have been incorporated into my own playing, and if anyone asks me who my major influences were Blackwell will be on the short list.

If you want to take your skills to the lext level get this DVD and practice (and practice some more!) I also recommend getting a copy of Tommy Igoe's "Groove Essentials" (ASIN B00064YTKM), which will augment Blackwell's techniques and expand your range and technique even more.