Steve Smith is offering a Master Class while revisiting a critical book in the history of his drumming development. He has posted a 2-part video series called “Working With Wilcoxon” along with supplemental videos of him playing lessons from the book and applying them to the set and a list of optional sticking’s and accents.
Steve started playing the drums in 1963 at the age of 9; in 1968 at the age of 13 Steve started working with this book with then teacher Billy Flanagan.
The description of part one – In “Working With Wilcoxon Part ONE,” Steve Smith gives a master class in how and why he works with the classic Charles Wilcoxon drum book, “Modern Rudimental Solos for the Advanced Drummer” to develop his hand technique and swing phrasing. The “Wilcoxon book” is based on the original 26 drum rudiments and is useful for training your hands, wrists, forearms and elbows to move efficiently and fluidly on the snare drum, which can be applied to the drumset.
The description for part two – Steve Smith shares his process of working on Charles Wilcoxon’s snare drum solo “Paradiddle Johnnie.” All four tempos are compiled here in one video. Steve starts slow on a practice kit at 90BPM and progresses to 96BPM, swinging the 16th notes and counting out-loud as he plays. He then moves to 105BPM, still on the practice kit, and incorporates some improvisation inspired by the Wilcoxon solo. Finally, Steve performs Paradiddle Johnnie up-to-tempo at 110BPM on the snare drum and then the full kit, adding improvisation derived from, or inspired by, the written solo. Steve has also employed various grips and included the bass drum into the solo. This process has helped Steve increase his drumset vocabulary and enhanced his technique.
Please visit Steve Smiths YouTube channel for additional videos: HERE
