Drum Circle: A Guide to World Percussion

I have been into percussion instruments for many years and I am always looking for new books and courses on this subject. I recently purchased for a bargain price one of the best instruction manuals (Drum Circle: A guide to world percussion by Chalo Eduardo and Frank Kumor, 76 pages) I have ever read on percussion instruments. There is also a CD that comes with the manual.As I always emphasize there is nothing that takes the place of a good instructor when learning a musical instrument; however, if you are interested in a detailed and excellent manual on percussion instruments to increase your knowledge of the many percussion instruments, this book is for you.This interesting and informative guide shows the basic techniques of 28 musical instruments covering cultural history, performance techniques and new and traditional ensemble arrangements. The ten chapters covers hand drums, frame drums, frame drums with jingles, bass drums, single and multiple-pitched bells, rhythm instruments, instruments of variable pitch, call drums, traditional world drumming ensembles and world beat ensembles.This is an excellent reference guide that should be in every percussionist’s personal library.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Basic principles of the most effective Combative Systems).

info from website:Watch percussion masters Chalo Eduardo and Frank Kumor play 28 instruments and demonstrate 52 exercises and rhythms on the easy-to-use Enhanced CD.The Enhanced CD works on any Windows-compatible or Macintosh computer and includes audio and visual demonstrations of all the written exercises and rhythms.The book highlights cultural history & significance of each family of instruments, including photographs, music notation of each rhythm (Traditional or Contemporary Time Unit Box Notation), plus new & traditional ensemble arrangements that you may perform with other drum enthusiasts!Hand Drums (Conga, Timbau, Djembe, Doumbek)Frame Drums (Tamborim, Tar, Bodhran)Frame Drums with Jingles (Pandeiro, Riq, Tambourine)Bass Drums (Surdo, Djun Djun, Tan-Tan)Single- and Multiple-Pitched Bells (Triangle, Cowbell, Agogo, Gankogui)Rhythm Instruments (Shekere, Ganza, Cabasa, Snare Drum, Maracas, Guiro)Instruments of Variable Pitch (Talking Drum, Cuica, Berimbau)Call Drums (Timbale, Repinique)Traditional World Drumming Ensembles (Middle Eastern, West African, Cuban Rumba Guaguanco, Brazilian-Maracatu Baque Virado)World Beat Ensembles (Call of the Drums, World Piece)With the Enhanced CD you may also: Slow down each rhythm for practice purposes and view a close-up of each hand position! Loop each rhythm over and over again! Use the Enhanced CD in your regular compact disc player for quick audio reference.Whether you want to play for pleasure, or need to expand your professional horizons, Drum circle: A Guide to World Percussion will lead you down the road to success (and drumming happiness).

I consistently find myself returning to this book both for reference and to use the ensemble arrangements in my teaching. My only wish is that I could buy the CD separate, because mine recently disappeared. If you're considering this book, I highly recommend it. The edges are getting frayed on my copy because I use it so often. :)

If you have a reason to lead a group or play with a group that uses hand percussion, this book and accompanying DVD will help you know the names and correct ways to play of the most commonly used hand drums and other global percussion instruments.

I find this book very easy to understand plus the cd-rom makes the learning experience a breeze! You'll be very happy with this book, i'm sure. I was!!