John Blackwell - Master Series

Master Series: John Blackwell

Copyright © 2008 Hudson Music LLCAll Rights Reserved

www.hudsonmusic.com

Hudson Musicpresents

Master Series

JOHN BLACKWELLEdited by Joe Bergamini

Transcriptions and engraving by Willie Rose

PDF Design by Joe Bergamini and Willie Rose

DVD Produced by Paul Siegel and Rob Wallis

Co-produced by Greg McKean and Joe Bergamini

Photos by Andrew Lepley

DRUM KEY:


2

“JEREMIAH’S SLEEPY NIGHT”

Here is the verse groove from John’s song “Jeremiah’s Sleepy Night.”

1

“SEVEN YEARS OF GOOD LUCK”

Throughout the DVD, John demonstrates and discusses songs and grooves by his influ-

ences. Here is the groove from the Joe Sample song “Seven Years of Good Luck,” originally

played by drummer Omar Hakim.

2

“7-7-7-93-11”

This tune, recorded by The Time, featured this drum machine groove, demonstrated by John.

3


3

“LOVE STONE”

Here is a another example of John interpreting a drum machine groove, this time from a

Justin Timberlake song.

4

“FLIRT”Here is a groove recorded by Larry Blackmon and Cameo. Cameo was a big influence onJohn. After many years of listening to their music, John was asked to play with the group.

5

“DO THAT STUFF”John demonstrates a Parliament Funkadelic groove originally played by Jerome “Bigfoot”Brailey.

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4

“MY LOVE”

John demonstrates the groove from another Justin Timberlake song.

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5

MARCUS WILLIAMS EXAMPLES

Marcus first demonstrates a foot technique consisting of a ruff split between the bassdrum and snare drum. Check the DVD for examples of Marcus playing this in context.

Marcus’s next example is an exercise that can be used to build strength and speed. Marcusrecommends playing his exercises on a very tight bass drum pedal.

8

9

Here Marcus demonstrates a lick consisting of five notes.

When Marcus plays this lick in time, it looks like this.

10a

10b


6

BILLY COBHAM-STYLE APPROACH

Here are two variations of Billy Cobham-style grooves demonstrated by John.

11a

11b

“WILD LIFE”This groove, from the Tony Williams Lifetime album Believe It, influenced John while hewas writing the song “Jada.”

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7

“JADA”

Here is the main groove from the song “Jada.”

13

SLOW GROOVE EXAMPLEJohn plays this groove to demonstrate the control and consistency necessary to play well ata slow tempo.

14

DENNIS CHAMBERS GROOVE

Dennis Chambers’ playing with P-Funk was a big influence on John. Here he plays his inter-pretation of a groove he heard Dennis playing live with P-Funk.

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8

JOHN’S FOOT TECHNIQUE EXERCISESJohn is often asked about his foot technique. On the DVD, he demonstrates the followingMarcus Williams-style foot exercise:

Below is a transcription of John orchestrating the exercise.

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9

“MIND OF J”

John plays this groove during the verses of “Mind of J.”

Here is the instrumental vamp that John solos around at the end of the tune.

18a

18b


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INFLUENCESIn alphabetical order, here are some of the drummers mentioned on the DVD that have in-fluenced John:

Carmine Appice, Larry Blackmon, John Blackwell Sr., Jerome "Bigfoot" Brailey, GerryBrown, Dennis Chambers, Billy Cobham, Kenwood Dennard, Sheila E., Sonny Emory, SteveGadd, Omar Hakim, Yogi Horton, Jonathan Moffett, Lenny Nelson, John Ramsay, TonyThompson, Marcus Williams, Tony Williams


11

SPECIAL THANKS FROM JOHN:

Thank you first to my Lord and Savior Christ, Creator and Father of all things, including drums.

Thank you to my father and mother, John Blackwell Sr. and Mamie Blackwell.

My grandmother and my late grandfather, Pauline Blackwell and the late Ernest Blackwell Sr.,who first told me about Gene Krupa many years ago.

My lovely children, the late Jia Kennie Blackwell (my angel), John Jaiven Blackwell, and mytwin B's: Jeremiah and Jada Blackwell.

My beautiful queen and love of my life Yaritza Cambero (I love you so much).

My sister and brother-in-law, Alessandra Staley and Russell Staley, and their children Morganand Brook Staley.

The Cambero family.

Rob Wallis and Paul Siegel.

Mike Scott, Corey Bernhard, and the great Gary Grainger.

Marcus Williams

Tama drums, Remo drumheads, Vater drumsticks.

And a very special thanks to Zildjian cymbals: You saved me in the making of this video.Thank you so much for being there for me.

Also thanks to Prince, Larry Blackmon, Charlie Singleton, Patti LaBelle, Justin Timberlake,Dom Famularo, Dennis Chambers, Bill Zildjian, Billy Cobham, Chris Daddy Dave, Lil JohnRoberts, Les Clevland, Brian F. Moore, Spanky, Teddy Campbell, Sheila E., Nissan Stewart,Sonny Emory, and Aaron Spears.

And all the greats who came before us.

God bless you all,

Blackwell

Copyright © 2008 Hudson Music LLCAll Rights Reserved

www.hudsonmusic.com

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John Blackwell - Master Series