New Book 2021!

Building Blocks for Drummers Vol. 1

In volume 1 of Building Blocks for Drummers, acclaimed drummer and educator Steve Langone has assembled a wealth of skill-building material for drummers at an intermediate to professional level. Starting with rudiments and other fundamentals for the whole drum set, the book presents many new ways of expanding and enhancing traditional exercises. In 46 well-organized chapters, short patterns are combined and orchestrated across the drum set, promoting precise alignment between hands and feet. Various combinations of patterns are enhanced with shifting accents and ornamentations, giving the drummer a wide variety of building blocks suitable for playing grooves and soloing in multiple styles. Also included are a set of challenging etudes and idea-inspiring tables. Building Blocks for Drummers will be a great resource for drummers and teachers for years to come.

Available from Amazon.com.

Paperback: 167 pages
Language: English
ASIN: B08ZBRS9LJ
ISBN-13: 979-8725567199
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.38 x 11 inches

Video demonstrations of excerpts from Vol 1.

 

Volume 1

The book introduces rhythmic concepts that can be used by drummers or any musician to expand his or her rhythmic repertoire for improvisation or composition. It combines concepts taught to the author by Alan Dawson with South Indian Konnakol syllables. It is a comprehensive study of polyrhythms that allows drummers to delve deeply into modern rhythmic concepts.

Available from Amazon.com as softcover book.
Available from Amazon.com as Digital - Kindle book.

Paperback: 200 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1499374593
ISBN-13: 978-1499374599
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.5 x 11 inches

Table of Contents PDF

Video demonstrations of excerpts from Vol 1.

 
 

Volume 2

This is the 2nd volume in a series of books on rhythmic concepts for drummers and all musicians. The books are tools for expanding a musician's rhythmic repertoire for improvisation or composition. Both volumes combine concepts taught to the author by Alan Dawson with South Indian Konnakol syllables, delving deeply into a study of polyrhythms. Volume 1 focused on rhythms with a subdivision of 8th notes, 8th note triplets and quarter note triplets. Volume 2 focuses on quintuplets (16th note, 8th note and quarter note).

Available from Amazon.com as softcover book.
Available from Amazon.com as Digital - Kindle book.

Series: Advanced Rhythmic Concepts for the Modern Drummer (Book 2)
Paperback: 112 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1535141794
ISBN-13: 978-1535141796
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.3 x 11 inches

Table of Contents PDF

Video demonstrations of excerpts from Vol 2.

 

New! Volume 3

This is the third volume in a series, and it focuses on rhythmic patterns in 3/4. The book introduces rhythmic concepts that can be used by drummers or any musician to expand his or her rhythmic repertoire for improvisation or composition. It combines concepts taught to the author by Alan Dawson with South Indian Konnakol syllables. It is a comprehensive study of polyrhythms that allows drummers and other musicians to delve deeply into modern rhythmic concepts. This volume stands on its own. You can study and practice the exercises in Volume 3 even if you have not seen or studied the exercises in Volumes 1 and 2.

Available from Amazon.com as softcover book.
Available from Amazon.com as Digital - Kindle book.

Series: Advanced Rhythmic Concepts for the Modern Drummer (Book 3)
Paperback: 112 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 179851141X
ISBN-13: 978-1798511411
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.3 x 11 inches


 

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING about the books


“I’ve been a fan of Steve’s playing since the 90’s when I used to live in Boston. He has always been an inventive and original drummer with great feel and command of the
instrument. I think this book is a great example on how he might have gotten there.Advanced Rhythmic Concepts for the Modern Drummer draws from great methods such as Syncopation and Stick Control and adds a modern twist to it. The addition of the Konnakol syllables is a very fresh way to approach and command independence and overall control on the drum set. A great book for anybody that is looking to improve, no matter what level you’re at.”
- Antonio Sanchez, Drummer, (Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, Danilo Perez, Gary Burton, Chick Corea, etc)


"Longtime Boston first-call drummer, Steve Langone's book Advanced RhythmicConcepts for the Modern Drummer is a welcome addition to the drummers library. This
is one of only few books available on the topic of meter within meter or, as Steve describes it, primary pulse and secondary pulse. Although the concept of "polyrhythm"is not new, Steve presents it in a way that is both practical and easily applied to the drum set. Borrowing from perhaps the most sophisticated rhythm theory in the world, Langone uses South Indian Konnakol syllables to help one to hear and internalize the cross rhythms. Presented in a series of grids (over 60!) and helpful suggestions on how to apply them or orchestrate them on the drums, this material will provide drummers and musicians with a challenge for a long time to come! “
- John Ramsay Chair,  Berklee College of Music Percussion Department


"One of the most forward concepts in drum set playing these days is the approach of multiple times being played at the same time. Steve's book is the STATE OF THE ART in this concept. Very well explained and written, and a great challenge for all of us.”
- Bob Gullotti, Drummer and Educator, (The Fringe)


GREAT BOOK !  I highly recommend it for serious musicians.... particularly if you want to get your metric modulations on! Nice one Steve...thanks for writing it!
-Casey Scheuerell, Drummer and Educator


"Using his lessons with Alan Dawson and others as a jumping-off point, Steve Langone delivers a great tool for those looking to expand their rhythmic language. ... stick with it and practice at your own pace - your rhythmic horizons will be expanded soon enough." - Modern Drummer Magazine , Ilya Stemkovsky,  2015


"Not just for drummers....... This is a great exercise book to use for vocalists who want to expand their knowledge and execution of advanced rhythmic concepts. The written out konnakol syllables make this book very vocalist-friendly. I would encourage all singers to study the rhythms in this book to unleash the melodic drummer from within!" -Thana Alexa, Jazz Vocalist
 


5 out of 5 Stars - Amazon.com


"Let me begin with a little background on myself, since it does matter. I'm a Berklee Graduate and I teach drums full time as a self employed musician. I've always enjoyed a full student load without the help of a music store. (knock on wood, tapping a drum right now) I've studied privately with many of the greats in the Boston area, including Bob Gullotti and Gary Chaffee. I'm also endorsed by Vic Firth as part of their education team. And I have a suitcase (no lie) of books that I've worked through or taught from over the years. That said, Steve's book is truly wonderful. If you haven't tried working through rhythms using syllables, then do it now - buy the book and begin today. It will open up your vocabulary, your ears, and your sense of immediate timing as well as underlying timing. But it's not just a technical exercise book, you'll find it musical too. And if you're an improvising musician, it'll aide your skills wonderfully. Be aware though, this is as advertised a "Advanced" book."  -By KFon September 18, 2014


"This is a great book for independence , timing , accuracy , and most importantly developing your " inner clock " . This book will also add to your musical vocabulary and improvisational skills . Be warned , the word " advanced " in the title of the book is no joke . The stuff in this book is not easy . But if you are someone who can already play pretty well , can read , and you want to bring your drumming to another level , this is definitely the book for you . Put in some dedicated effort on this book and you will definitely see big results."  -By sweetflyon December 23, 2014


"This is an amazing book! If you are looking to expand your rhythmic knowledge and become a better musician this is a must have." -By Chris Dzengelewskion September 30, 2014


"The next level of rhythm!!!" -By Mike Hieberton June 7, 2015


"Purely Amazing! This drum book gives an in-depth look at the fundamental structures of how rudiments can be applied musically to the Drum-set." -By Amazon Customeron November 20, 2015