Series: Manhattan Music Publications
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Alfred Music; 1 edition (January 1, 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1576234436
ISBN-13: 978-1576234433
Product Dimensions: 1 x 9.5 x 12.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #77,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #14 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Musical Genres > Soul #21 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Instruments > Percussion #142 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Techniques
This is a very complete guide to the workings of one of the great R&B rhythm sections. The book is composed of 23 lessons examining the rhythm grooves for a selection of James Brown hits. Two CDs accompany the book. The lessons are arranged in chronological order by the date the songs were cut. Each lesson has printed material including an ensemble chart and individual charts for drums, bass, and guitar. Both staff and tab are given for guitar and bass. Historical and musical comments accompany each lesson. The CDs include four tracks per lesson: an ensemble track and the three individual instruments played at a slower speed. The mix is very clear and it is easy to distinguish the individual instruments in the ensemble track. While clearly intended as teaching tools, the tracks do have a feel that keeps the music compelling.In terms of the level of difficulty, someone who didn't know this music might glance at the charts and conclude that the bass parts were (mostly) elementary, the guitar parts only slightly more difficult, while the drum parts combine fairly standard hand technique with advanced kick drum playing. Of course, this is misleading. It takes great timing to combine these parts in a way that has soul, and that's the great value of these lessons. A bass player (guitarist, drummer) trying to play this music has to really understand how he or she fits in with the other members of the ensemble. This is a very successful attempt to spell that out for the player.One quibble: the organization of the historical material helps support the lessons, but makes it difficult to read as a straight narrative. One request: how about volume two with keyboard and horn charts?
James Brown and the many fine musicians who worked with him literally "wrote the book" on modern groove playing. They were the original architects of funk and, as the most sampled ensemble in history, they're also the de facto creators of hip hop's beats and the many related dance-oriented styles such as Drum and Bass, House, Trance, etc.In fact, the influence of this ensemble is so great that it is often taken completely for granted. These aren't just the rhythms that grooving musicians play, these are the beats that our drum machines play!Rhythm section players, particularly drummers and bassists, who haven't studied JB's music in depth, are in danger of committing malpractice. Get this book/CD package and study it or listen closely to recordings and transcribe the parts yourself. Either way, the importance of this body of work cannot be overstated and, as a contemporary rhythm section player, it will serve as the backbone of your rhythmic education.
It's that simple.I do play quite a bit of funk, but I play other genres as well. They all benefit from the knowledge and technique I've gained from these exercises. Play along to "Sex Machine" and "Talking Loud And Say Nothing" and you'll develop monstrous stamina.Also, thanks to this book, I'm the only person I know of who can't play any drum beat except for "Sex Machine."
Most transcriptions you get are lousy, but this book does a great job of breaking everything down. I would recommend playing along with the actual recordings and not just the somewhat stiff recordings on the CD.
Really a great book. Has a bit of interesting history about James Brown.Really breaks down the interplay between drums, guitars, and bass on JB's band. Also provides some insight into the different bassists during JB's career. Finally, really provides a good description of the rhythmic interaction between the drummer and bassist.If you want the FUNK - start here.
I really like the format of this book & cd. It covers bass, guitar and drums, with each track played separately on the CD and then all combined. Guitar & Bass are shown in both tab & standard notation. Very clear, and the individual parts aren't that hard to play. The magic is in the combination and rhythmic interaction. Learning to play these songs will be therapy for small groups locked in the same old bag.Of course, there's only ONE JB, but I hope they make more "Rhythm Section" books like this one for other bands as well.
I am a drummer and found this book most helpful in tackling the grooves of Clyde, Jabo, and Melvin. Includes basic grooves and actual recorded grooves so you can work up to the stamina of the recorded ones. Lot's of fun for drummers of all levels. Highly recommended
I love James Brown and his music. I also love the JBs. As a guitar/ bass player, its a pleasure to finally get the guitar sheet music to Brown's hits (a drummer has borrowed the book. he loves it too). For any rhythm player, this book is a must.
The Funkmasters -- The Great James Brown Rhythm Sections 1960-1973: For Guitar, Bass and Drums, Book & 2 CDs (Manhattan Music Publications) Funkifying the Clave: Afro-Cuban Grooves for Bass and Drums, Book & CD (Manhattan Music Publications) James Brown: A Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Styles and Techniques of James Brown's Bassists (Bass Signature Licks) Can I Say: Living Large, Cheating Death, and Drums, Drums, Drums Learn Guitar - Guitar Lessons - Guitar Songs - Guitar Fretboard (Guitar Chords - Learn How To Play Guitar - Tim B. Miller Collection) (Learn How To Play ... Collection - Guitar Fretboard Book 6) Constructing Walking Jazz Bass Lines - Walking Bass lines : Rhythm changes in 12 keys Bass tab edition The Essence of Afro-Cuban Percussion & Drum Set: Includes the Rhythm Section Parts for Bass, Piano, Guitar, Horns & Strings, Book & 2 CDs Guitar:Guitar Music Book For Beginners, Guide How To Play Guitar Within 24 Hours (Guitar lessons, Guitar Book for Beginners, Fretboard, Notes, Chords,) Constructing Walking Jazz Bass Lines, Book 1: Walking Bass Lines- The Blues in 12 Keys Upright Bass and Electric Bass Method Restoration of Lost or Obliterated Corners and Subdivision of Sections: With Index and references to the 1973 and 2009 Manuals of Survey Instructions Guitar:Guitar Music Book For Beginners, Guide How To Play Guitar Within 24 Hours, Easy And Quick Memorize Fretboard, Learn The Notes, Simple Chords (Guitar, ... Fretboard, Lessons, Beginners, Music Book) Hal Leonard Bass for Kids: A Beginner's Guide with Step-by-Step Instruction for Bass Guitar (Hal Leonard Bass Method) Lift-the-Tab: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? 50th Anniversary Edition (Brown Bear and Friends) Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Brown Bear and Friends) Rhythm Reading for Drums - Book 1 (Meredith Music Percussion) The Complete Guide to Playing Blues Guitar Part One - Rhythm Guitar (Play Blues Guitar Book 1) Neuroanatomy in Clinical Context: An Atlas of Structures, Sections, Systems, and Syndromes (Neuroanatomy: An Atlas of Strutures, Sections, and Systems () Heavy Metal Rhythm Guitar: The Essential Guide to Heavy Metal Rock Guitar (Learn Heavy Metal Guitar) (Volume 1) Stephen Biesty's Incredible Cross-Sections (Stephen Biesty's cross-sections) The Art of Bop Drumming: Book & CD (Manhattan Music Publications)