Search - The Art of Playing with Brushes DVD/Play Along CD on DVD

Great resource for all you aspiring brush players!

David Wingerson | Topeka, KS | 03/20/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had to do a listening assignment for this and write and paper. Here is my paper - tells what is presented in the DVD and my opinions:



The Art of Playing with Brushes, released by Hudson Music, is a true treasure trove of information and tools to learn to play brushes. Steve Smith and Adam Nussbaum host other elders of the art to demonstrate their techniques and explain their philosophies, inspirations and tips. The complete set includes two DVDs and a play-a-along CD with tracks that match the charts the interviewees play to. In total there is over seven hours of video to soak up and learn from!

The DVDs are organized by examples of different styles, lessons from different teachers, and other "bonus" material. Under each category Joe Morello (of Dave Brubeck fame), Charli Persip (Dizzy Gillespie), Eddie Locke (Coleman Hawkins), Billy Hart (Hank Jones), Ben Riley (Thelonius Monk) play and talk about each style or lesson. It is through these extensive examples that the viewer can learn many approaches to brushes.

First and foremost, all the drummers discussed the fact that brushes are based on individuals and personalities. Each brush player uses different "moves," creates different colors, and adds in unique kicks and tricks. But they also explain some fundamental truths about brush technique. First, brushes are based on lateral and circular motion. The most common implement, the drumstick, uses mostly vertical movement to achieve sound. Brushes, because of their unique design and purpose, call for more subtle, lower, finessed movements. The goal with brushes is to create a "sound-scape" of swishes and accents, whereas drumsticks are more about time and rhythm. Interestingly, Billy Hart talks about how he completely avoids thinking about rhythm when playing brushes, and instead focuses on the melodies and feelings of the music around him. It is much harder to play brushes well if you are focused on counting more than feeling.

Each drummer offers their own takes on swing (many different tempos), ballads, ¾ time playing, and latin brushwork. Basic swing patterns usually included the left hand making a circular motion, with the right hand tapping a ride pattern around the left hand's motion. This is made very clear in all the demonstrations. Some of the drummers incorporated more staccato movements, accents on the cymbals, hi-hat splashes, and varying amounts of bass drum playing. All of these variations are valid and worth examining so the viewer may incorporate what they like into their playing.

Besides more than five hours of hardcore brush demonstration and talk, the DVDs also include eleven archival clips of great brush players, brush lessons with Adam Nussbaum, Ed Thigpen, and Louis Bellson, and a 5/4 brush solo by Joe Morello. If the viewer inserts the DVDs into their computer, extra PDF articles can be found. They include biographies and listening guides of the artists featured in the DVDs, a written brush lesson with Adam Nussbaum, an article on the sounds of the brushes, and information about playing along with the included CD.

As an individual player, there are many things I can take from this package to improve my brush playing. As I am currently studying brushes in Philly Joe Jones's book "Brush Artistry," I was familiar with some of the basic concepts presented in the video. A picture (or video) is worth a thousand words -watching masters of brushes has given me direct connections between concepts, movements, and sounds. It will take me time and more watching of the DVDs to develop and integrate all of these ideas into my playing. As described in the video, my practice could be with or without music on any suitable surface: a drum, newspaper, record cover, or book.

Truly, The Art of Playing with Brushes is a monumental resource for playing brushes. The material presented can help develop any drummer into an individual, swingin' brush player.

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