“Technique is not always about how fast you can play, it’s also about control and precision when you play. “
Focus Beyond Technique, by Frank Derrick, contains a concise approach towards creating a centered and stabile ability to groove and improvise on the drum set, using independence, common ostinatos and rudiments in a series of musical exercises. This culminates in a “20-Minute Drill” that can be used for practice, maintenance of your technique, and warming up.
Music has continued to demand more dexterity between all the limbs. Quite often we find that drumming not only requires four-way coordination, but it can also demand what the author refers to as cross coordination, where hands & feet may work together or independently of each other on one side, while working together or independently of the corresponding limbs on the other side. This can sometimes create an unbalanced feeling. Focus Beyond Technique addresses these issues.
The areas covered are combinations of single strokes, double and multiple strokes, variations of paradiddles, flams and tutti, and a section called Bonus Points that presents different challenges applied to material previously covered. Also included is Derrick’s popular 20 Minute Drill along with the ostinatos.
Drummer Frank Derrick has led a multifaceted national and international musical career. He is a virtuoso performer and educator, having worked with Cab Calloway, Redd Foxx, Della Reese, Eubie Blake, Dakota Staton, Eartha Kitt, Buddy Greco, Marilyn Maye, Freda Payne, The Pointer Sisters, Keely Smith, Maureen McGovern, Jack Jones, Joan Rivers, Benny Carter, Stephanie Mills, The Four Tops, Clark Terry, Clint Holmes, Linda Hopkins, Duke Ellington Orchestra-Mercer Ellington, Dorothy Donegan, Melba Moore, Judy Collins, Woody Herman Orchestra-Frank Tiberi, Donna Summer, Julie Budd, Hank Jones, Regis Philbin, Nicolas King, and on many Broadway shows.
