installment #4:
1955 – Bo Diddley Beat


Presented by Zoro, this series of video lessons features some of the grooves that charted the course of history — starting in the 1940s when shuffles ruled the airwaves, through the dawning of drum-machine inspired hip-hop beats in the late 1970s.

Zoro explains each groove in the series, why the beat made an impact as well as some insights into the feel. In all, Zoro breaks down 23 of the drum grooves that charted R&B/Funk/Hip-Hop history. In this installment, Zoro discusses:

BO DIDDLEY BEAT FROM 1955:
“Bo Diddley” by Bo Diddley
Drums: Clifton James

DOWNLOAD A HIGH RESOLUTION PDF OF THE POSTER!

LISTEN AND PLAY ALONG TO THE ORIGINAL TRACK:

CHECK OUT HOW THE GROOVE EVOLVED:

AND FOR THE FUN OF IT, HERE’S A COVER BY BUDDY HOLLY


PLAYER FAVORITES


ABOUT ZORO:

As one of the world’s most respected musicians, Zoro has sat on the drummer’s throne commanding some of the most famous stages in the world of rock and R&B music. Z has toured and recorded with Lenny Kravitz; Bobby Brown; Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons; The New Edition; Jody Watley; Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire; Sean Lennon; Lisa Marie Presley; Lincoln Brewster; Phil Keaggy and many others.

Catch up with Zoro online:

zorothedrummer.com
facebook.com/zorothedrummermusic
twitter.com/zorothedrummer
instagram.com/zorothedrummer


About “The Commandments of R&B Drumming” Series

Available from Alfred Music Publishing, “The Commandments of R&B Drumming” series is a historical and in-depth study of R&B drumming, from the early years of rhythm and blues of the 1940s to soul to funk to hip-hop. Here are the products in this highly acclaimed series:

Loaded with history, photos, graphics, exercises and transcriptions, “The Commandments of Early Rhythm & Blues Drumming” brings to live a little-known, but highly influential, period of drumming history that paved the way for all the modern styles heard on the airwaves today – and includes the most comprehensive guide to shuffle playing ever written! Winner of the 2009 Book of the Year in Drum! magazine’s reader’s poll.

The original book in the series, “The Commandments of R&B Drumming” is an in-depth, historical study of early soul, funk and rock ‘n roll – from the late 1950s through the beginnings of hip-hop in the 1990s. With 160 pages, Zoro covers every imaginable angle, nook and cranny of R&B drumming. Voted the #1 educational drum book in the world by Modern Drummer Magazine’s reader’s poll.

“The Commandments of R&B Drumming Play-Along”

Featuring 14 of the funkiest tunes in such styles as gospel, blues, soul, funk, go-go, new jack swing, and hip-hop, this play-along package chronologically documents the evolution of R&B drumming from the 1950s through the late ’90s. Included are songs made popular by R&B legends such as James Brown, The Meters, Aretha Franklin, and Janet Jackson. The CD tracks are performed by an all-star R&B band featuring Al McKay, the legendary guitarist of Earth, Wind & Fire. The book also provides historical insight, tips for approaching the music, groove examples, rare photos, and album cover artwork.


PERFORMANCE WITHOUT LIMITATION…BY DESIGN

For nearly 60 years, we at the Vic Firth Company have focused on developing and manufacturing what has become the world’s most popular drumsticks, mallets, alternative implements, and accessories… with the best durability, feel, and sound options, across the widest variety of genres and styles.

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