Tiger Bill Reviews

Mastering the Tables of Time

Book

By David Stanoch

 

 

This book applies the rhythmic patterns, which have been referred to as Times Tables and Rhythm Scales by various drummers in the past, to the drumset to help you improve your technique, groove, coordination, polyrhythmic abilities, and soloing skills.

It concentrates on what author David Stanoch refers to as the Standard Timetable. It consists of exercises designed to develop your ability to play duple and triple subdivisions inside a quarter-note pulse. It will, eventually, be followed by a second volume covering the subdivisions of five, seven, and nine referred to by the author as the World Timetable. This table is included at the end of this book as an introduction to volume two.

Let's check it out.

Volume 1 - Introducing the Standard Timetable

Chapter 1 - Musical Phrasing

This section allows you to develop the ability to play the standard timetable on one drum surface and applies various accents to these patterns. Exercises are included to develop dynamics and applications to various song forms.

Chapter 2 - 4-Way Coordination

This chapter consists of exercises for developing harmonic, melodic, and ostinato forms of coordination.

Chapter 3 - Selected Rudimental Variations

Various rolls, paradiddles, flams, open drags, and ruffs are applied to the Standard timetable in this section.

Chapter 4 - Abstract Timetable Studies

This chapter includes studies that apply various syncopations to common flow of subdivisions of the Standard Timetable.

Chapter 5 - Basic Polyrhythms

Exercises to develop basic polyrhythms (two or more different patterns played at the same time) are covered in this chapter and include studies in metric modulation.

Chapter 6 - Contemporary Backbeat Grooves

Applying various subdivisions to groove ostinatos are covered here as well as implied metric modulation progressions for grooves including Paradiddile Funk, Train Beat, Boogaloo, Bo Diddley Beat, New Orleans, and Afro-Latin grooves.

Chapter 7 - Modern Jazz Grooves

Ostinato and modulation drills are covered as applied to jazz comping, broken-time ride cymbal patterns, and advanced timekeeping variations.

Chapter 8 - Soloing Applications

Interpreting rudimental studies to the drumset including lenear patterns and crossover sticking variations.

Glossary of Terms

An explanation of terms that are either unique to or important to the text of the book.

 

Mastering the Tables of Time Volume 1 Book : The Bottom Line
This book contains a wealth of information and exercises that will help drummers of all styles and experience levels expand their creativity by becoming more intimately familiar with the Standard Timetable or so-called Rhythm Scales. While not a work for those who aren't interested in lots of regular practice, those who do put the necessary time into it will gain mastery over a wealth of rhythmic complexities. And, as a bonus, purchasers of the book get free access to the online audio/video companion, courtesy of author David Stanoch.

Mastering the Tables of Time Book by David Stanoch is a good value at its retail price of $24.95 but can be purchased online at a discount: Mastering the Tables of Time Book.