Creative Control

What I think of the Book

Creative Control by Thomas Lang is kind of an advanced book. Although intermediate players can probably approach the book and be able to play some of it. However, it is important to note that you need to be pretty good at some of the following things to really be able to grasp this book.

1. You need to know how to play triplets well.
2. Able to have at least a basic skill of being able to play one rhythm with one hand and a separate one with the other hand before attempting this book. (I know, that this is exactly what this book is teaching you. But you need to be able to do it a little before you even try this book) It throws you really fast into the advanced stuff)
3. You need to be able to play accentuations before approaching this book.
4. You need to be good at throwing around syncopation. You don’t need to be great, but just at least a beginner knowledge.
5. Be able to read 2/4, 4/4, 6/8, 3/4 time signatures.

Now obviously, if you are a beginner and you are not sure if you have the skill level to play the book. Then you should just try it. Try to play as much as you can. Then someday, in the future, you can come back to it. There are many books that I purchased at an early stage; then realized that I was not able to play it. I would just put it on a shelf and read other books to further advance my skill-set. I would then come back to it, and I can play it.

This book is somewhat on the famous side. Now, some of you may already be aware of the fact that I typically “hate” drum books that feature a drummer that is popular and loaded with pictures all over the book. As if, they are presenting the drummer, more than the information itself. This is, to some extent; one of those books. They take the brand (which is Thomas Lang’s name itself) then they throw it all over the book. So you, the drummer, can be sold a dream. As if, you buy the book, you will become that “Rock Star”.

However, this book rides right on that thin line. It is half “all marketing and branding” and half actual “good knowledge” and information to become a better drummer. This is one of the few books that is packed with marketing and still has something good to offer.

This book Creative Control, by Thomas Lang, will help you with playing drum beats utilizing a strategy called “Control Mechanisms” which is like using each limb as its own rhythm maker. This in itself is what Thomas Lang is known for. It is part of his brand. When you think Thomas Lang, you thing lots of movement in all four limbs, playing its own thing. That is what this book shows you! It shows you some of the techniques that Thomas Lang uses.

We have an article about Thomas Lang.

What the publisher says about the book – Hudson Music

Hudson Music is very proud to present Thomas Lang – Creative Control, the long-awaited companion book to the award-winning DVD of the same name. Designed to be used as either a stand-alone product or in combination with the DVD, Lang presents the unique and innovative system that he has used to develop his awesome speed, control, finesse, and coordination – a step-by-step system that will allow you to hone your drumming chops so that you can play more effectively in any style of music. Part I details Lang’s methodology and provides over 90 challenging exercises. Part II contains musical examples that showcase many of the techniques presented in Part I. It also includes play-along rhythm charts for five musical compositions from the DVD which were specially re-mixed without drums exclusively for this book and are included on the enclosed CD.

ISBN 1423433866. 9×12 inches. Thomas Lang.
By Thomas Lang. Percussion. Instruction. Softcover with CD. 84 pages. Published by Hudson Music (HL.6620110).

• Paperback: 84 pages
• Publisher: Hudson Music; PAP/COM edition (August 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423433866
• ISBN-13: 978-1423433866
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 0.2 x 12 inches