Jake Kot
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Bass Musician Magazine review
Damian's book proves to be another well thought out text on presenting the fundamentals for any player to consider. A commendable array of scales, modes, chords, and their inversions are covered in depth, and presented in a well thought out manner. A nice touch to an instructional aid such as this is presenting personal insight as far as applications of the material presented are concerned, to help take the reader a step closer to beginning to grasp an understanding of "how it all works", (admittedly a "very" open subject) and this text exemplifies that well in it's presentation. Add to that his discussion of chord connections and their applications, and chord shapes to enhance a visual perspective, and you've got the makings of a text well worth considering.
Included are a few transcriptions of Damian's solos off his CD "Trios", which after close examination shows how this approach he has presented certainly works well for him personally, as well as musically. This always helps give credence to considering any individuals personal presentation of what to spend your time on in the quest to becoming a more well rounded musician, and beginning to cut a path to discovering ones "voice" on the instrument.
Other transcriptions are also included to examine and dissect, which is a well founded tactic recommended by almost every schooled player, and helps complete this books legitimacy as far as being a credible option to check out.
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Jonathan Moody
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Excellent & Easy to Understand
I got this book as a Christmas present, and it's fantastic. Damian breaks down his right-hand technique to the simplest of concepts, and has plenty of rudiments for you to work on in order to get the feel of it before moving forward. I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to open up the possibilities of their right hand past the traditional index-middle plucking that bassists are known to do.
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Ernie Leblanc
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Review of Damian Erskine's Bass Method Book "Right-Hand Drive" by Ernie Leblanc
Review of Damian Erskine's Bass Method Book "Right-Hand Drive" by Ernie Leblanc - January 29th, 2013
In Damian Erskine's Bass Method book, "Right-Hand Drive," bassist from the advanced beginner to expert alike will find the chapters filled with technical exercises that range from what I can best describe as "Right-Hand, Two-finger Strokes Upon Standard Exercises Applied to Scale Intervals and Useful Interval Variations," that most bassists either avoid or are not familiar with, to uncommon variations upon these intervals so that those who purchase this book will find, as my bass hero and one of Damian's family friends and teachers, Jaco Pastorius said in his video, "Modern Electric Bass," - this book is the "Real Deal!"
Before the first chapter closes, Damian provides a concise, yet effective expose of learning and applying Victor Wooten's "Open-hammer-Pluck" techniques to the interval variations provided in the previous pages of the book with a concentration upon the rudiments of the right-hand techniques involving the "stroke-roll" paradigm Damian has also provided practical advice about practicing and, most importantly, "Grooves!(very important and usually absent from method books of this type)" that go very far beyond what most authors would dare touch upon either on stage, or in a book at this price-point.
"Right-Hand Drive" is rich with theory that is explained with great efficacy that clearly came from the "teacher's mind" with the heart of the student's abilities at the forefront of the material provided including one of the very best sections on modes that I've ever seen. Afterward, Damian brings his readers into the the priceless world of "Symmetrical Diminished Scales!" - LOVE IT! - The book concludes with a multi-step lesson progression that includes transcriptions from other bassists and closes with a professionally polished transcript of Damian Erskine's bass solo entitled "Spain" from the album, "Trios."
I purchased this book because I know that learning is a never-ending journey of the "musician's mind" and that Damian is a sincere person and incredible bassist whose purpose with any lesson or lesson book is to impart "knowledge" that will give his readers a challenging education that leads to greater musical horizons, especially for the "Groove-makers and Solo-Bassists" who crave the skills to perform above and beyond the ordinary "Right-Hand" Drives!
As I've been saying for years, "Thanks, Damian!" - Ernie Leblanc, 2013 Proudly Endorsed Spector Bass Artist Since 2006 - http://www.ernie-leblanc.com/
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