Search - Peter Magadini: Jazz Drums on DVD

The Consummate Jazz Drummer

music ace | 02/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really liked this DVD. There are so many instructional DVDs on drums. What makes this DVD worth watching is that Peter Magadini gives you a good application of jazz drum techniques and sticking patterns. I don't know about anyone else, but when I hear good jazz drummers play, I always wonder what are they doing or how are they getting that musical jazz sound. And Peter explains these methods in such a 'matter of factly' manner that you can clearly understand what he is doing. In this DVD he just puts everything together. You actually hear the 'consummate' jazz drum performance. He includes explanations of playing different song structures, improvisation (which is the highlight of this DVD), latin jazz, and brushes. His demonstration of brushes makes it look so totally simple and easy. I have seen other demonstrations of the brush technique and it never looked this easy. The section on ride cymbal independence makes so much sense. And it is musically practical and is really what you are hearing other jazz drummers play today. In the improvisation section Peter demonstrates how you can use very simple, short sticking patterns to switch hands that help you smoothly modulate into other stickings without disrupting the flow of your solo. Amazing! Along with this DVD is a booklet that gives you all of the rhythm notation of what he is playing on the DVD.
If you have practiced all of the jazz techniques that you can practice and just want to hear and see how all of your hard work can come together musically, I highly recommend that you get this DVD.
"

Couldda been a contender....

Jimmie Divine | Mahwah NJ | 03/26/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"There are some great ideas and insights on this DVD, some real meat, but the instruction is lacking, the production quality very poor, and I don't think the ideas come across clearly. The examples are gone in a flash, never really fleshed out. Never any tablature on the screen. The booklet contains many mistakes. Pete's mic often cuts in and out as he turns to the drum set, very annoying. No real opportunities to "play along". For example, Pete mentions the Elvin Jones style and plays about 15 seconds worth...it would be better to lay out four part tab and provide a minute or two of musical example.
My guess is they rushed this in one take. Too bad, because there are no great jazz instruction DVD's out there. Maybe Tommy Igoe or Steve Smith (and Hudson Music) will make one. I can't believe Hal Leonard let this out the door.
"

Great Video, Lots of Information, Highly Recommended.

Cyril C. Penn III | 04/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This video shows why Pete Magadini is such a well-known drummer and teacher. I've played and studied drums for 30 years but still found a lot of useful information. Magadini covers a lot of ground with a musical approach (not just a bunch of patterns) and makes the concepts easy to understand, practice and assimilate. The video covers various styles, like samba, bossa, cascara, swing, and presents a cool and unique approach to reading too. I had already worked witn Magadini's Learn to Play the Drumset Book 2' so I really liked it because the video lays out the concepts in that book (and the booklet that comes with the video is like a miniature version of the book--a bonus). Highly reccomended."