Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon: Review

When asked to talk to students at Broome Community College in upstate New York in the spring of 2011, Austin Kleon wrote a simple list often things he wished he'd heard when he was their age: 'Steal like an artist; Don't wait until you know who you are to start making things; Write the book you want to read; Use your hands; Side projects are important; Do good work and put it where people can see it; Geography is no longer our master; Be nice (the world is a small town.); Be boring (it's the only way to get work done.); and, Creativity is subtraction.' After giving the speech, he posted the text and slides to his popular blog, where it quickly went viral. Now Kleon has expanded his original manifesto into an illustrated guide to the creative life for writers, artists, entrepreneurs, designers, photographers, musicians, and anyone attempting to make things - art, a career, a life - in the digital age. Brief, direct, and visually interactive, the book includes illustrative anecdotes and mini-exercise sections calling out practical actions readers can take to unleash their own creative spirits.
Rating:
4.5/5

Are you looking to improve your snare drumming skills? Look no further than George L. Stone’s ‘Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer.’ This book is a must-have for any serious drummer, as it focuses on one of the most important aspects of snare drumming – stick control.

As any experienced drummer will tell you, stick control is crucial when it comes to playing cleanly and accurately. Without proper stick control, your rhythms may sound muddled or uneven, which can be frustrating and discouraging. Fortunately, Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer provides a comprehensive set of exercises designed specifically to help you improve your stick control and take your snare drumming skills to the next level. Whether you’re a beginner just starting out or an experienced musician looking to refine your technique, this book has something for everyone. So why wait? Start improving your stick control today with George L. Stone’s invaluable guide!

Overview of George L. Stone’s ‘Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer’

If you want to improve your snare drumming skills, you need to check out George L. Stone’s ‘Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer.’ First published in 1935, this book has become a staple for drummers of all levels. It is a collection of exercises designed to develop hand control and coordination.

George L. Stone was a renowned percussionist who played in various orchestras during the early 1900s. He wrote ‘Stick Control’ as a way to share his knowledge and experience with other drummers. The impact of this book on the music world is immeasurable, as it has helped countless musicians hone their craft over the years.

The exercises in ‘Stick Control’ focus on developing each hand individually before combining them into more complex patterns. This approach helps build muscle memory and promotes better technique. By practicing these exercises regularly, you can expect to see significant improvements in your snare drumming skills. Now let’s delve into why stick control is so important for snare drumming.

Importance of Stick Control for Snare Drumming

You can’t become a master of snare drumming without honing your ability to manipulate the sticks with precision and finesse. Stick control is an essential aspect of snare drumming that every aspiring drummer must pay attention to. It is all about how you hold the stick, how you move it, and how you strike the drumhead. Here are three reasons why mastering stick control is important for snare drummers:

  • Precision: Stick control allows you to hit precise notes on the snare drum with accuracy and consistency. You need to be able to hit the same spot on the drumhead every time so that you can produce consistent sounds. Without good stick control, your playing will lack precision and sound sloppy.

  • Precision: Stick control allows you to hit precise notes on the snare drum with accuracy and consistency. You need to be able to hit the same spot on the drumhead every time so that you can produce consistent sounds. Without good stick control, your playing will lack precision and sound sloppy.

  • Speed: Good technique means faster playing speed. By controlling your sticks more efficiently, you can play faster rhythms while maintaining clarity and accuracy in each note played.

  • Speed: Good technique means faster playing speed. By controlling your sticks more efficiently, you can play faster rhythms while maintaining clarity and accuracy in each note played.

  • Sound Quality: Your sound quality depends on how well you control your sticks when striking the drumhead or cymbals; this includes factors such as volume, tone, and resonance. With proper stick control techniques, you can achieve a wide range of tones from soft taps to loud crashes.

  • Sound Quality: Your sound quality depends on how well you control your sticks when striking the drumhead or cymbals; this includes factors such as volume, tone, and resonance. With proper stick control techniques, you can achieve a wide range of tones from soft taps to loud crashes.

    Stick Control is an essential book for any serious snare drummer who wants to improve their technique and become a better player overall. Now that we have established why stick control is crucial let’s delve into its breakdown of exercises in George L Stone’s ‘Stick Control’ book.

    Breakdown of the Exercises

    Get ready to dive into the breakdown of the exercises in this must-have book for any serious snare drumming enthusiast. ‘Stick Control: For The Snare Drummer’ by George L. Stone is a comprehensive guide that will take your hand technique to the next level. The first exercise focuses on playing each note with equal power and sound, which is essential for building a solid foundation.

    As you progress through the book, you’ll encounter variations of the basic exercise that challenge your timing and coordination. You’ll learn how to play accents, flams, and paradiddles at different tempos and dynamics. Tempo variations are particularly important because they help you develop control over your speed without sacrificing accuracy or endurance.

    Mastering these exercises takes time and dedication, but it’s worth it in the end. By using ‘Stick Control: For The Snare Drummer’, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how your hands work together to create complex rhythms and patterns. You’ll also build up strength in your fingers, wrists, and forearms which will translate into improved technique across all areas of drumming.

    Learning proper stick control is crucial for any serious snare drummer who wants to reach their full potential. By breaking down the exercises in this book and practicing them diligently, you’ll be well on your way to achieving mastery over your instrument. In the next section about benefits of using ‘Stick Control: For The Snare Drummer’, we’ll explore how these exercises can improve not only your technical skills but also your creative expression as a musician.

    Benefits of Using ‘Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer’

    By utilizing the exercises outlined in this invaluable guide, you’ll be able to enhance your technical abilities and unlock your full potential as a skilled percussionist. Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer is a must-have resource for any drummer looking to improve their precision and technique. Here are four benefits of using this book:

  • Develops hand independence – The exercises focus on developing each hand’s control independently, allowing you to play complex rhythms with ease.

  • Develops hand independence – The exercises focus on developing each hand’s control independently, allowing you to play complex rhythms with ease.

  • Improves timing – By practicing various rhythmic patterns at different tempos, you’ll develop a strong sense of timing that will carry over to all aspects of drumming.

  • Improves timing – By practicing various rhythmic patterns at different tempos, you’ll develop a strong sense of timing that will carry over to all aspects of drumming.

  • Increases speed – The repetitive nature of the exercises allows you to build speed gradually while maintaining accuracy and precision.

  • Increases speed – The repetitive nature of the exercises allows you to build speed gradually while maintaining accuracy and precision.

  • Customizable practice routine – The book’s structure allows for endless combinations of exercises, so you can tailor your practice routine to fit your specific needs.

  • Customizable practice routine – The book’s structure allows for endless combinations of exercises, so you can tailor your practice routine to fit your specific needs.

    Improving precision and enhancing technique are essential goals for any serious drummer, and Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer provides an effective roadmap towards achieving them. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced player, this book offers valuable insights into developing proper technique and achieving consistent results on the snare drum.

    To get the most out of this invaluable guidebook, it’s essential to understand how best to use it effectively. In the next section, we’ll explore some tips for incorporating Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer into your daily practice routine seamlessly without feeling overwhelmed or frustrated with your progress.

    Tips for Using the Book Effectively

    Maximizing the potential of ‘Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer’ requires an effective practice routine. One common mistake is to simply play through each exercise once and move on to the next one. However, this will not lead to significant improvement in your drumming skills.

    To use the book effectively, it’s important to focus on areas where you struggle and repeat those exercises until you feel comfortable with them. Additionally, try playing each exercise at different tempos and dynamics to challenge yourself and improve your control over the sticks.

    Another helpful tip is to break down each exercise into smaller parts and gradually build up speed as you become more confident. This will help prevent frustration and ensure that you are making steady progress towards your goals. With consistent practice using these strategies, ‘Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer’ can be a powerful tool for improving your drumming skills.

    Conclusion

    Congratulations on completing this review of George L. Stone’s ‘Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer’! You now have a deeper understanding of the importance of stick control for snare drumming and how to effectively use this book.

    As a drummer, you know that stick control is crucial for developing speed, accuracy, and fluidity in your playing. According to a study by Dr. Caroline Palmer at McGill University, mastery of stick control can lead to significant improvements in timing and rhythmic accuracy. This means that using ‘Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer’ as part of your practice routine can take your drumming skills to the next level.

    By breaking down exercises into manageable parts and gradually increasing difficulty, Stone’s book provides a solid foundation for building strong stick control skills. Remember to approach each exercise with focus and discipline, keeping in mind the tips provided throughout the book. With dedication and practice, you will see improvement in your snare drumming abilities with every page you turn.

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