Bryan Bowman’s revisit and expansion on the topics of syncopation and rudimental drumming bridges the gap for me, as I’m sure it will for many other drummers — as well as providing a beautifully-useful tool for students of the Reed, Dawson and Wilcoxin methods and etudes. I am looking forward to utilizing this book with my students as well as on my own practice pad.”
— PETER ERSKINE
This is the website site for Syncopation Companion – An Integrated Approach to Rudimental Drumming written by San Francisco Bay Area drummer and pianist, Bryan Bowman.
If you do not yet have Syncopation Companion you can buy it here!
If you already own Syncopation Companion and would like to see videos of each example click here.
Syncopation Companion is a unique investigation of Ted Reed’s Syncopation. It seeks to recast and reinterpret familiar 8th note syncopated figures (using half-time 4/4, 8th note triplet, 6/4, and 12/8 interpretations) to expand the possibilities hidden within this legendary sight-reading textbook.
This is an integrated approach to rudimental drumming, which involves learning specific sticking formulas and rhythmic treatments of a four-bar phrase, and then activating them by sight-reading through numerous rhythmic etudes in Syncopation.
We explore a multitude of ways Syncopation can be applied to the drum set within the context of Jazz, Afro Cuban, and Brazilian styles.
We do an extensive exploration of jazz comping possibilities inspired by famous drummers such as Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Roy Haynes, and many others.
This book is a launching pad for fun and creative exploration for intermediate to advanced students who are ready to read between the lines of syncopated rhythmic figures.
Syncopation Companion is a must-have book for those who seek to improve their rudimental technique, sight-reading, and four-way coordination on the drumset.
To read what drummers are saying about Syncopation Companion click here!