Tiger Bill Reviews

Virgil Donati Ultimate Play-Along Drum Trax Book/2 CDs

This book/CD combination let's you play along with Virgil Donati's songs. Let's check it out.

Song Transcriptions

The eight songs selected for this play-along book form a comprehensive picture of Virgil's creativity and mastery of chops. The songs were selected from the repertoire of two of Virgil's bands, On the Virg and Planet X. Each of the initial 8 chapters of the book include a detailed analysis of Virgil's performance followed by a transcription of Virgil's actual drum part. The first of the two included audio CDs contain the original tracks so you can can follow along with the transcriptions.

Pyramids on Mars

Native Metal

Invasion of the Ants

Alien Hip-Hop

Dog Boots

Bitch

Inside Black

Europa

Play-Along Charts

The final section of the book contains the skeleton play-along charts for the previous eight songs that you can use to play-along with the music minus drum tracks on the two included audio CDs

Drum Loops

The second audio CD also contains slowed down loops of various sections of the eight selected songs to help you perfect the difficult parts at a slower tempo.

Virgil Donati Ultimate Play-Along DrumTrax: The Bottom Line
I recommend this book and dual audio CD combination to all intermediate and advanced level drummers, not just Donati fans, who are looking to improve their chart reading chops and creativity. Not only will it help you to improve your reading of complicated odd-time signature drum charts but it will give you insights into the mind of one of drummings most dedicated and creative individuals, Virgil Donati.

This book / 2 CD combination, from Alfred Publishing, retails for $24.95. It can also be found at a discount online at:

Until next time: Stay loose.