Book: Brazilian Rhythms for Drum Set and Percussion
Author: Alberto Netto
Publisher: Berklee Press
Price: $29.95
Websites: http://www.berkleemusic.com/store/product?product%5fid=719735
http://www.halleonard.com/item_detail.jsp?itemid=50449507&order=0&catcode=00
Reviewer: Sue Hadjopoulos

There is no denying the fact that Alberto Netto knows his Brazilian rhythms. There's also no denying that his book is jammed tighter with information on Brazilian rhythms than a can of sardines.

Published by Berklee Press, this ambitious book begins with a brief introduction and history of the evolution of Brazilian Music, and then immediately launches into a description of the various Brazilian rhythms and song styles. The book is divided into 6 sections and comes with a CD of audio examples corresponding to transcriptions in the book. Section 1 deals with Hand Percussion Rhythms, Instruments and Techniques; Section 2 gives various Samba Styles on Drum Set and Percussion; Section 3 explains Forró Music; Section 4 Carnaval Rhythms; Section 5 Afro-Brazilian Rhythms; and Section 6 Sacred Music.

In each section there are pictures of the various Brazilian instruments and 2 measure examples of the rhythms with variations, which correspond to the audio examples on the CD. The last few tracks are "play alongs" so that one can practice the different rhythms with an entire percussion section. There is also a glossary of terms and a list of Brazilian composers and artists as suggested further listening.

Although this book with CD is an excellent reference guide to Brazilian rhythms, it's just too clinical and uninteresting for the general drumming public. Most of the examples in the book are for advanced players and I couldn't imagine a beginner learning to play Brazilian or any other style this way. Even for the more advanced player, knowing performing musicians as I do, I don't think many would have the patience or inclination to get through this book. It's just too dry. This book is best suited for use by music teachers and music schools.

The book and CD are not user friendly. The CD audio tracks are only listed in the front of the book in numerical order by track number but page numbers are not given for the corresponding written examples in the book, so if you want to jump around or go out of order, you have to flip back and forth through the pages to find the examples.

Another problem with the CD tracks is that many track numbers included more than one example. Given that these are short 2 measure patterns, it might have been clearer to assign each example it's own individual track mark so you can use the repeat function on your CD player instead of having to cue up to the example you want to listen to.

And although the book has written examples of up to 6 variations for a particular rhythm, only one or two of each are included on the CD tracks. Perhaps the decision to limit the number of corresponding examples on the audio track had to do with time constraints, but I found myself getting increasingly frustrated and then bored as I painstakingly tried to wade through all the written examples and search for their corresponding audio tracks.
I also had a problem with the "count offs" on the audio tracks. Alberto only gives us a 2 measure voice count off at the beginning of the pattern but sometimes adds lead ins or breaks that are not shown in the transcription, which would make it difficult for a beginner trying to figure out where "one" is in the rhythm. Only on one occasion did he specifically mention that there was a 2 bar fill and then the groove began. Another time there was a fade in of an ensemble rhythm, which made it very difficult to figure out where the transcription began.

Much of my criticism comes from the way this book was conceived and laid out, not the material included in it. For example, on p. 80, although I heard an agogo part on the CD, it was left out of the transcription. And although the book has photos of all the percussion instruments, for some reason on p. 33 there was no picture of a Curimbó. These all seem to be simple editing oversights, which can be corrected in future printings. However, it does lead me to suspect there might be transcription errors, but I never did make it through to the end of this book to find out.

My suggestion is if you want to learn how to play Brazilian rhythms, find Alberto Netto and sign up for private lessons from the Master himself. He certainly knows his Brazilian rhythms. If you're not lucky enough to live in close proximity, get a referral. Better yet join a band and learn hands on. It would be infinitely more fun. And leave this book in the hands of a qualified music professional. This book belongs in a music school library under the heading REFERENCE materials.

About the reviewer:

Sue Hadjopoulos began her career in the field of Latin music as founding member and timbalera of LATIN FEVER, a 14-piece all female salsa band produced by Latin bandleader/pianist, Larry Harlow, "El Judio Maravilloso". Their breakthrough CD, Larry Harlow Presents Latin Fever, rose to the top of the Latin charts and the single "Lo Que Te Gusta Mas" became a #1 hit in Puerto Rico. She went on to perform with various salsa bands and fondly remembers receiving a standing ovation for her timbale solo with Latin vocalist Ismael Quintana and laudable praise from the master himself, Tito Puente, who told a sold out crowd at the annual Fania All Stars Concert at Madison Square Garden that he would have to retire after hearing her play.

Sue's smooth blend of pop/salsa rhythms has become her trademark. Known for her versatility, inspired percussion arrangements and strong vocal harmonies, she has since worked with such diverse artists as Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, Joe Jackson, Basia, Barry Manilow, Kenny Loggins, Cyndi Lauper, Simple Minds, Rickie Lee Jones, Jane Siberry, Vicki Sue Robinson, B-52s, Toni Braxton, Laurie Anderson, David Byrne, They Might Be Giants, Laura Nyro, Davy Jones (Monkees), Mick Jones (Foreigner), Teena Marie and Michael Monroe (Hanoi Rocks) For more information, visit Sue's website: http://sue_hadjopoulos.tripod.com

© December 2003 Happy Mazza Media, LLC.
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