Joe Morello Drum Method 1 The Natural Approach to Technique
Joe Morello is one of the most important drummers in jazz-and here’s your chance to learn directly from him! Joe demonstrates roll techniques, matched grip and traditional stick positions, sounds on the drumhead, cross sticking, tuning, and much more, all using natural body movement. Plus great vintage footage of Joe in action with the Dave Brubeck Quintet!
User Reviews
2 Stars Natural Approach for beginners
Unfourtunately, after the anticipation was over. I started into the program and found it never really got moving. It was nice to see Joe talk about things and demonstrate some things, but it didn’t meet my expectations of Joe Morello. Thought he would of been more technical. For a begineer this could be a good DVD.
4 Stars Get a grip!
If you’re looking for a flashy video packed with drum solos, don’t go here (although, the couple of video clips of Joe with Brubeck are awsome).
But this DVD is more profound than it might first appear…to the casual viewer. If you think about it for just a moment, the way you grip your drum sticks actually determines your ability to make music. Anybody can grab a stick and bang on a drum; two-year-olds are especially adept at it. But to articulate real music is a completely different game. Joe shows you the “magic” used by himself and dozens of the greats (both past and present) that seem to bring the sticks to life.
Speed, be it slow or fast, and accuracy of note placement (in short, controlling the stick and it’s bounce) are paramount to playing a groove, swinging, or playing “in the pocket”. Joe breaks down the elements of an effective grip, as well as forearm and wrist motion, and then articulates the use of the fingers in the over-all stroke. If you can resist the urge for flashy, fast, and convoluted playing, and study meticulously the form Joe is showing you (I found some fascinating secrets by advancing the movie frame by frame), and then work on it every day, it won’t be but a few months before you notice a marked difference in your ability to play.
My only complaint is that I wanted more. I have many more questions now than when I started watching, but then isn’t that a sign of good teaching? That Joe has got me thinking more deeply about my grip? For example, I wish Joe would have gone a little deeper in to when to use the index finger and when not to use the index finger in the left hand of the traditional grip. I think I got my answer by watching him, but he didn’t address it much.
Short of those nitpicking points, any drummer who wants to play more musically today should start with studying Joe’s DVD. Consider that Steve Smith and Dave Weckl, two formidable players today (regardless of whether you “like” their playing or not) both speak often of having studied with Freddie Gruber. What did they learn from Freddie? Maybe lots of stuff, but what both of those players mention is how much Freddie’s teaching affected their grip and how their grip affected their over-all ability to play.
Watch Joe closley, practice it, and then start swinging!
5 Stars How to drum properly…
This is essential viewing for drummers at all levels to fine tune technique and relaxation. In particular, matched and traditional grip, natural stick motion and accenting are covered in detail. Also a good section on buzz rolls. Morello’s dry humor adds entertainment value. Maybe more on double strokes would have been useful.
5 Stars Great Product
I would highly recommend this DVD as an excellent learning tool in basic drumming rudiment technique and style. Joe explains it in an easy to follow and relaxed manner.
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