|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clave in Modern Drumset Playing: An Instructional Video for Drummers By: Brian Campbell  |
| |
 Rafael Monteagudo
Clave in Modern Drumset Playing: An Instructional Video for Drummers
www.rafaelmonteagudo.net
I am no stranger to instructional drum videos and DVDs. Being a drummer myself, and because I am completely self taught, I have watched a few just to see if I was missing anything. I have never seen one as specific and focused as Rafael Monteagudo’s Clave in Modern Drumset Playing.
Clave is a percussion instrument that traditionally was made of wood, but nowadays they are also made of fiberglass or plastics due to the longer durability of these materials. When struck they produce a bright clicking noise. Claves are sometimes hollow and carved in the middle to amplify the sound.
Monteagudo moves past the normal beginner drumming BS and straight into the art or playing clave. Clave was something I took up for a few years playing, and let me tell you, it is not easy to incorporate into your regular playing. Monteagudo very clearly and concisely shows on this DVD just how and when to incorporate it into normal play. He breaks down just how and where to insert clave playing in certain scenarios, different time signatures and different musical styles in separate sections of his DVD. As a drummer, I can tell you, the way he lays out the DVD and lays out the different uses through different situations; it is very easy to follow along.
This video breaks down how to play clave independently with the snare, then with the bass drum, next the cowbell, and finally the tom drums, with exercises for each throughout. The video also trains the drummer to gain interdependence in their playing, which can be applied to all style of music.
Besides the instructions, it is worth noting that Monteagudo as a drummer is extremely talented and very well versed in the different styles he uses on his DVD. He has a fantastic playing record and his resume and list of accomplishments reads like a grocery list.
The sound of the DVD itself is great. Usually what you get from drumming instructional videos is sound that is too loud once the entire kit is used, as the cymbals tend to drown out the majority of the other sounds. But, throughout the entire DVD you can clearly hear where Monteagudo is using his clave, and you can hear each stroke of the kit he makes.
As a critic, and a drummer, I would recommend this DVD to all drummers out there who are looking for that missing sound to their play, or if you’re interested in taking up clave, then this is the definitive instructional DVD for you.
The DVD is 49 minutes in length and you can purchase it at www.rafaelmonteagudo.net for $25.00. |
|
Baltimore is a music city with some of the best local talent in the nation. Baltimore music fans have a need to know what’s going on in the music industry, be it local bands or national acts. If you know about a band or music group that you believe we should be covering, we want to hear about it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|