Inside the Brazilian Rhythm Section

This is a good book for those who already understand the ins and outs of Brazil's music but just need something to play along with under specific guidelines. This isn't a book for people who want to learn about the history and inner workings of Brazilian rhythms and styles, not is it a book for those hoping to get a very detailed explanation of what the individual instruments are expected to do in traditional or more contemporary ensembles. It's really intended as a workbook to be supplemented with broader study.It does a great job at that but and the tracks on the CD are great & of a high quality. However there's just something about it that seems incomplete because there are specific rhythms and grooves that aren't explained but are assumed to be common knowledge or familiar. To be fair, there is a bibliography in the back of the book but many of the sources seem to be more of interest to someone with an anthropological interest/perspective rather than a musical one.I feel that if it would have included some of the background on the rhythms and percussion instruments that this book would be much better. I think about Ed Uribe's book on Afro-Cuban percussion and see where this book could have been better if it had included a thorough breakdown of what each instrument in the rhythm section is expected to do/has done in relation to the grooves. Besides, for $28.00 it sounds only fair to me. Uribe's book is more expensive than this one but after putting the different topic aside, you see that it brings 2 CDs and has much more information for about $35.00 so for this reason it may be better to purchase books that deal specifically with the bass, guitar, piano, etc... in Brazilian music along with books that explain the structural rhythms/grooves and picking this up as a supplement once you get a strong grasp on that stuff.

What great bass tutor. I'm like a Latin bass God now.... sort of?

Show de livro!

Great resource on Brazilian music.... Monster rhythm section on the cd and a lot of fun to play along to

Awesome book! A great resource for any musician looking to gain a better understanding of Brazilian rhythm.

Bought as a gift, exceeded my expectations

I came across this excellent book by happenstance, hopped on my handy iPhone, and ordered it. It arrived as if by magic in just a few days, all shiny and new. I love it and I love Amazon.com!

Great instructional for bands that want to get Brazilian rhythms right. You will also discover that there is more to Brazilian music than samba and bossa.