Product Details

• Model: 320343
• Released on: 2002-11-26
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: NTSC, Import
• Original language: English
• Running time: 278 minutes

On the DVD
Extensive bonus footage including alternate-take drum solos, a brilliant hi hat solo and hi hat tutorial, alternate-take band performances, a camera-switching option, optional running commentary by Steve, a listening list, a reading list, and more.

Synopsis
Drum tutor Steve Smith hosts this video that leads he viewer through a thorough explanation of different drumset techniques, and then consists of a band joining Smith as he details the different rhythmic patterns associated with seminal American musical forms like funk, rock and roll, and New Orleans jazz. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

DVD Menu

• Side #1 -- Disc 1: Drumset Technique
  • Play Program
  • Resume Playback
  • Chapter Selection
    • Opening
      • Steve's Greeting
      • Swing Pulse Drum Solo
    • Hand Technique
      • Left Hand
      • Right Hand
      • Grip Subtleties
      • Largest Range of Motion
      • Putting It All Together
      • "Mr. T.C." Alternate Take Introduction
      • "Mr T.C." Alternate Take Solo
    • Foot Technique
      • Bass Drum
      • Constant Release
      • Freddie Gruber's Constant Release Exercise
      • Centering/Grounding
      • Hi Hat: Heel/Toe
        • Side-to-Side
        • Hi Hat Splashing
        • Left-Foot Splash/Bass Drum
      • Thank You Mr. Williams (Solo)
    • The Art of Practice
      • Introduction
      • Practice Demonstration
      • Home Studio/Practice Room
    • Exercises for Developing A Swing Pulse
      • Developing A Swing Pulse (Big Band Swing Alternate Take)
      • 3 Over 2 Polyrhythm
      • 3 Over 2 Polyrhythm on the Drumset
      • Motion, Space & Time
      • Jazz Ride Beat
      • Accenting the 2 & 4
      • Shuffle to Straight-8ths
      • 3 Over 2 Polyrhythm Played With Feet
      • 3 Over 2 or 2 Over 3
      • Shifting Perspectives (Solo)
    • Exercises, Licks and Phrases
      • Introduction (Gospel Alternate Take)
      • Motion Exercises
      • Hand Exercises
      • Doubles and Singles
      • Hand and Foot Exercises
      • 2,3,4 Note Phrases
      • Toms and Flams
      • Tony Williams Lick
      • 3/4 & 5/4 (Solo)
      • Accents and Rebounds
    • Independence/Interdependence
      • Independence/Interdependence (Solo)
      • Motion, Time & Space
      • Interdependence
      • Shifting Focus
      • Interdependent Phrases of 3's and 2's
    • Implied Metric Modulations
      • Introduction
      • "Cranial Jam"
      • "Perfect Date"
      • "Sideways Blues"
      • Metric Modulation
      • Metric Modulation Demo
      • 3 Over 2 Ostinato With Feet
      • Fusion - Fast and Relaxed
    • Closing Credits
  • Special Features
    • Special Feature: Camera Switching Feature
      • Camera Switching Feature
        • Angle 1: Main Angle
        • Angle 2: Overhead Jib-Cam
      • Choose A Chapter to Play
        • Opening: Swing Pulse Drum Solo
        • Foot Technique: Thank You Mr. Williams
        • Exercises, Licks, Phrases: 3/4 5/4 Solo
        • Independence/Interdependence: Solo
    • Audio Setup
      • Audio Commentary: Off
      • Audio Commentary: On
      • List of Chapters With Audio Commentary
        • Opening:
          • Swing Drum Pulse Solo
        • Exercises for Developing A Swing Pulse:
          • Accenting the 2 & 4
          • Shuffle to Straight-8ths
          • Shifting Perspectives Solo
    • About Hudson Music
    • Www
      • PC Instructions
      • MacIntosh Instructions
    • Dvd-Rom
  • Play Drum Solos
• Side #2 -- Disc 2: History of the U.S. Beat
  • Play Program
  • Resume Playback
  • Chapter Selection
    • Chapters 1 - 4
      • History of the U.S. Beat - The Formative Years
      • Ragtime
      • Early New Orleans Jazz
      • Big Band Swing
    • Chapters 5 - 9
      • Bebop
      • Rhythm and Blues
      • U.S. Roots Styles
      • Gospel
      • Blues
    • Chapters 10 - 14
      • Country
      • Rock 'N' Roll
      • Rock
      • Funk
      • Jazz/Rock
    • Chapters 15 - 23
      • Vital Information Set
        • "Mr. T.C."
        • "Soul Principle"
        • "Sideways Blues"
        • "Swamp Stomp"
        • "Cranial Jam"
        • "Perfect Date"
        • "Over and Out!"
      • Outro - Credits
  • Special Features
    • Bonus Footage
      • Play All Footage
        • Drum Setup
        • "Cranial Jam" Outtake (Incomplete)
        • John Bonham
        • Swing (Alternate Take)
        • Bebop (Alternate Take)
        • Opening Solo Take 1 (Incomplete)
        • Opening Solo Take 2
        • Hi Hat Solo
        • More Hi Hat
    • Camera - Switching Feature
      • Camera Switching Feature
        • Angle 1: Main Angle
        • Angle 2: Overhead Jib-Cam
      • List of Chapters With Overhead Jib-Cam Angle
        • Choose A Chapter to Play
          • Swing
          • Bebop
          • "Mr. T.C."
          • "Soul Principle"
          • "Swamp Stomp"
          • "Perfect Date"
          • Bonus Footage: Hi Hat Solo & Demo
      • Camera Help
    • Audio Setup
      • Audio Commentary: Off
      • Audio Commentary: On
      • List of Chapters With Audio Commentary
        • Choose A Chapter to Play:
          • "Soul Principle"
          • "Sideways Blues"
          • "Swamp Stomp"
          • "Cranial Jam"
          • "Perfect Date"
      • Audio Help
    • Photo Gallery
    • WWW
      • PC Instructions
      • MacIntosh Instructions
    • DVD-ROM
    • About Hudson Music
  • Play Drum Solos
    • Play All Drum Solos
    • Disc One: Drumset Technique - Drum Solos
      • Swing Pulse Solo
      • "Mr. T.C." Alternate Take
      • Thank You Mr. Williams
      • Swing Solo Alternate Take
      • Shifting Perspectives Solo
      • 3/4 & 5/4 Solo
      • Interdependence Solo
    • Disc Two: History of the U.S. Beat - Drum Solos
      • Big Band Swing
      • Bebop
      • "Mr. T.C."
      • "Sideways Blues"
      • "Perfect Date"
  • Play All Music

Customer Reviews

Well Worth The Price
I found this to be one of the most useful instructional DVDs i've seen so far. It incorporates a lot of different material and it easy to understand because Steve is an awesome teacher to learn from. His techniques are all useful and he tells you why also while adding in extra incite and tips along the way. I especially found his Metric Modulations very interesting that you can use in creating a song by changing the feel and time without actually changing the tempo. Very Cool. Well recommended by myself.

Wow! Steve, what a piece of work!
First off: I was never a huge fan of Journey, so any effusive prose that may come from the tips of my little fingoids as I type is not coming from there. ;o) Steve is one of the most well-rounded and musically diverse drummers that I've ever seen. He plays it all and does it amazingly well. I've been playing since 1964 and have taught my son to play and am now starting to teach my grandson. My son was blown away when he came to my house and watched some of this DVD with me. In less than an hour, Steve had shown my son an appreciation for diverse musicial styles that I'd been trying to open him up to for years. Steve is *that* good as a teacher. I don't think I've ever seen better. While I would indeed rank this as an intermediate-to-advanced instructional DVD, he succeeds wonderfully in communicating his techniques for expanding your own expertise on the drums. The only thing that I find a drawback is that when I watch it, I am distinctly jealous of those just starting out in their young drumming careers today and who have great instruction like this to begin with. :o) This is amazing stuff. I own many drum technique video/DVD sets and this is the best of the breed. If I could give it 10 stars, I would. Thanks Steve for giving fresh inspiration to a grandpa who still loves to drum and who can't wait for his next chance to kick some ass behind the kit, and is truly grateful that I can get this kind of instruction to my son and grandson so that one day they can blast past the old man -- but they're going to have to work at it to do so, I ain't giving in that easy! ;o)

Excellent DVD - Excellent Value
I never thought I'd call a $50 DVD a great value, but this is. Disc #1 is your own personal lesson with the Master himself. The hand and foot techniques are tremendous. I really enjoy disc #2. The historic band with Steve on a vintage drum set is a treat. Then they get into a long set with Vital Information where you can see the practical applications of the techniques he taught in disc #1. Be sure to check out the extras. I didn't see the hi-hat thing at first, but WOW. I had no idea you could do that with a hi-hat!

A nice feature is that you have the option to play only the music without the talking in between, or even just the solos if that's all you're in the mood to view.

I don't have any other instructional DVD's to compare this to, but it was recommended to me by a pro as the ONE to get. I have to agree!