Tiger Bill Reviews

Thomas Lang Creative Control

DVD

After first seeing Thomas Lang perform at the Modern Drummer Festival 2002, I was looking forward to reviewing his instructional DVD. The two-disc set contains over five hours of material. After you sample the video previews that follow, come on back and we'll take an in-depth look the DVD.

Video Previews from Thomas Lang

Creative Control

Chapter One: Singles

After opening the disc with an energetic tune called "Dog," Thomas explains his approach to practice, which is based on what he calls "control mechanisms."

The first chapter begins with Hand Warm ups and moves into alternating linear single strokes between the hands and feet (learning to play the feet both on and off the beat). He then demonstrates the use of alternating singles in a hi-hat solo during which he uses two hi-hats, one on his right and one on his left foot.

Thomas feels that by always practicing hands and feet together it not only shortens your practice time but allows you to build the necessary coordination between the hands and feet faster than practicing hands or feet alone would accomplish.

Exercises include:

1- Single strokes around the drumset

2- Heel up and heel down foot control

3- 3, 5, and 7 single stroke rolls with feet and hands

4- Alternating shuffle patterns with feet

5- Flam Taps with hands and feet around the drumset

6- Flam Accents with hands and feet around the drums

7- Flam Accent foot Ostinato against various hand patterns

8- Flam Tap foot Ostinato against various hand patterns

And many more combinations all designed so that you are practicing your hands and feet together, which allows you to build your coordination, technique, and endurance at the same time.

Chapter Two: Doubles

Thomas begins by explaining why he uses the technique of accenting the second stroke of each double stroke. He then applies double strokes to the drumset utilizing exercises that have helped him develop his own chops . The chapter closes with two examples in a musical context.

Chapter Three: Combinations

Thomas suggests that you learn to sing patterns as you play them and demonstrates his method of combining singles and doubles in patterns that require advanced coordination.

This chapter closes with Thomas playing to a music track, "Ben's Repellant."

Chapter Four: Multi-Pedal Orchestrations

Thomas discusses his approach to dynamic foot technique, in which he uses heel up and heel down styles.

He then covers his approach to Multi-Pedal Orchestrations (MPOs) in considerable detail before applying them on a tune titled "Angel."

Chapter Five: Movement and Mechanics

"Think of practicing as physical training," advises Thomas while warning drummers not to "display your fitness unless it is necessary for executing the drum part. Most of the workouts you'll need to do have absolutely nothing to do with music." He warns us not to fall prey to one of the most common mistakes drummers make, "overplaying while under listening."

Thomas demonstrates the various patterns that he uses to develop his ability to move around the drumset swiftly and accurately including cross sticking and the orchestration of rudiments around the set using repetitive phrases, which Thomas prefers over random ones.

Chapter Six: Twin FX, Advanced Coordination, and Creative Foot Control

Thomas demonstrates the technique required to play the Sonor Giant Step Twin FX pedal, which is actually two pedals in one, going into depth as he shows various ways of incorporating the Twin FX pedal into drum grooves.

Chapter Seven: Stick Tricks

Thomas demonstrates the visual stick tricks he employs including the Fake Twirl, Real Twirl, Off Beat Throw, Back Throw. Combinations, Stick on Sticks, Stick on Sticks Backsticking and Sticks on Skins Backsticking. Broken Doubles on Cymbals and Body Motions are also covered. Thomas' applications of these tricks to various drumset grooves and fills is extremely practical and useful.

Chapter Eight: Extended Solo

The final chapter features Thomas in an impressive display of solo virtuosity using nearly all of the patterns he covered throughout the DVD.

Special Features

While you're watching the above eight chapters on the DVD, a round icon will periodically appear in the corner of your screen. Press "enter" on your remote and you get instant access additional information after which, you'll be taken back to the original chapter. Very cool.

Included are audio files in ACID (PC) and REX (MAC) formats, which let you loop any of the exercises or change tempo without affecting the pitch. In addition, there are 94 printable PDF file transcriptions of Thomas' performances and over 100 exercises. Now that's using the DVD format to the max!

Creative Control: The Bottom Line
If you are looking for patterns, exercises, and ideas to expand your creativity in groove and solo work, you will find plenty here. Thomas does a great job of explaining and demonstrating the patterns he uses to develop his own chops. The only thing not covered is the detailed "how-to" for developing the technique required to play at the speeds Thomas demonstates. But, if you already possess decent speed, I highly recommend this DVD as it will provide you with more than enough exercises to increase your coordination, control, and endurance.

This DVD is from Hudson Music and, while a good value at its suggested retail price of $49.95, is available at a discount from:

Until next time: Stay loose.