Pop, R&B, and Gospel Drumming. A Guide to Developing Grooves, Improvisations, and Technical Mastery within Modern Music Styles and Settings

Welcome to your one-stop-shop for learning how tune your chops to pop, R&B, and gospel drumming! This unique book/video combo is the ultimate guide to developing grooves, improvisation, and technical mastery within modern music styles and settings. Chris Johnson has been one of the top in-demand drummers in the music industry for the last 20 years. His recording and touring credits range from pop icons such as Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna to R&B singers Patti LaBelle, Mya, Lalah Hathaway, and Fantasia along with gospel artists Donnie McClurkin, Norman Hutchins, and Beverly Crawford. In this book, Chris gives advice for playing techniques and approaches, and sharing of experiences of playing in both live performances and studio sessions. In addition to Chris's insights and instruction, the accompanying videos showcase Chris playing to pop hits along with original music and arrangements played by his band. We've even included bonus material featuring interviews with iconic drummers and other industry professionals! The three-plus hours of video content is accessed online using the unique code in each book.

CONTENIDO:

Dedication
Acknowledgments
Foreword

Introduction

Part 1. Technique, style, and the music industry
-Technical development
-Groove development
-Stylistic/genre awareness
-Playing Latin-influenced pop and R&B
-Tune memorization
-Vocabulary assimilation
-Improvisation and soloing
-Working with backing tracks, sequencers, electronics and programmed parts
-Working with musical directors, choir masters, dancers, producers, and artists

Part 2. Solo pop drum examples
-Havana
-I Wish
-You Are the Sunshine of My Life
-Superstition
-Just Dance
-Applause
-Umbrella

Part 3. Full band examples
-Party
-Forget about You
-Why Break Mine
-Get Away
-Holy, Holy, Holy
-Bump
-Chocolate
-Group Song

Epilogue: Life tips for musicians