The World Beat Rhythms-Beyond The Drum Circle series of books from Hal Leonard are for drummers and percussionists, but really for all musicians because they are quick studies of the percussion instruments themselves, their history and origin, the proper playing technique, and the typical ways they are used in many musical styles. The three books I received cover the world beat rhythms of Cuba, Brazil and Africa and were written by Maria Martinez and Ed Roscetti. Each one of the books includes a music CD that shows how these exotic instruments sound and, most important to musicians, how a typical rhythmic pattern should be played.

The Brazil book was an especially interesting introduction to three main Brazilian rhythmic styles: Olodum, Baiao and Samba. These rhythms are notated in the book along with recorded examples available on the CD. The book goes on to list all the instruments used in this idiom with recorded examples of the instruments in solo and playing along with other accompanying instruments.

The Cuba book follows the same format with main chapters on Rumba, Mozambique and Conga styles. As you'll find out, traditional Cuban rhythms were heavily influenced by West African musicians due to the two countries' common slave trade history. So you'll learn what a Djun-Djun, Tumbadora, Thai Sticks, Surdos, Klong Yaw, Shekere, and Bata Drums sound like and how they are used.

The Africa book teaches you about Akom, the religious music of the Ashanti people of Ghana, West Africa; Adowa music, also from Ghana and originally played at funerals; and the popular folk music of the Central African Republic--from places like Chad, Sudan, Zaire and Cameroon.

Any or all of the World Beat Rhythms-Beyond The Drum Circle series books are wonderful ways to learn more about the true foundation of all rhythms used in music today. Each book is $16.95 and available at most music and bookstores or through www.musicdispatch.com or call 800-637-2852.


World Beat Rhythms-Beyond The Drum Circle-Brazil

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World Beat Rhythms-Beyond The Drum Circle-Cuba

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