Drumstick Spinologyô is divided into two sections: PART ONE is the preparatory material, teaching you everything you will need to know to start spinning. You will learn my unique system for identifying the various parts of the hand and drumstick; see the several ways to grip the sticks; find out which directions it will travel; and try some warm up exercises. Using letters, numbers, words, directions, pictures, and diagrams, you will become familiar with the "jargon" or nomenclature of DRUMSTICK SPINOLOGY. I have written, re-written, and re-re written this material several times over the years to help express exactly what each of the various maneuvers called for. PART TWO teaches you the actual spins and is divided into five chapters: Chapter 1 describes the 15 BASIC SPINS that will serve as your vocabulary or "alphabet" of spins. Chapter 2 shows you 70 VARIATIONS (like forward, reverse, switching, walking) and many more extensions ofthe basic spins. Chapter 3 is called APPLICATION and this is where you sit down at the drum set and apply these spins to your drumming. (Also included is a page of rhythms that you can play one handed, leaving your other hand free for spinning) Chapter 4 shows you several COMBINATIONS, putting several spins together to form Spinology routines. These will help you truly MASTER your drumstick spinning! Chapter 5 is a compilation of ideas for your entertainment, amusement and imagination, to further inspire your creativity with the drumsticks. The DVD is about 56 minutes and contains the following:†††† (times are approximate) 20 sec.††††††† SMG Publications Intro/credits 2 min.††††††††† Intro-Live drumming with spinning† 2 1/2 min.††††† Explanation of the system 10 min.†††††††††† Chapter 1 (no sound)† 15 min.††††††††††† Break down of common spins 18 min.†††††††††††† Chapter 2 (no sound)† 7 min.††††††††††††††† Chapter 3 (live application)† 5 min.†††††††††††††††† Chapter 4 (no sound) †††† The intro shot is me playing a funky drum beat and spinning the sticks all over the place. I talk for a while and explain several things about the book, video, and how things are set up. Then I show you the 15 Basic Spins from Chapter 1 in regular and slow motion. (There is no background music or narration for Chapter 1, so don't worry your TV's not broken).† †††† For the "break down" section I take a number of the more common spins used for live playing and break them down one by one. I show you how each spin fits with different tempos and styles, giving you you the "inside scoop" (each time with slow motion). Chapter 2 shows the 70 Variations with the hand and stick(s). With the black background, these spins really came out looking great. Chapter 3 is again at the drum set, showing 22 Applications for your live playing. Watch out for my extra cool leather vest (my producers idea). And finally in Chapter 4 are the Combinations, several single spins strung together to form "kata" or dance like routines. Note: DON'T JUST WATCH THE DVD. Each spin is fully explained in the book. Use the pictures, hand diagram,† directions, pertinent information, grips, and observations to better understand what you see in the video performance.† Visual enhancement of a musical performance is not a new idea. From ancient times, drummers have brought pageantry and spectacle to the art of performing. Throughout the ages great drummers have inspired and entertained with their rhythms and personalities.†Those with an extra flare for showmanship and choreography have added a favorite spin or two captivating the eyes of the observer. Be it new or old, rock or jazz, small clubs or concert hallsÖthe audiences are in awe.Drums have also played a large part in communication over time. War drums of old conveyed orders to the field, shaman communicated with the spirits, and even Morse code is a kind of drumming language. † I hope that this book and DVD will help to inspire a new generation of drummers. Drumstick Spinology provides the secrets and methodology drummers need to become a part of this legacy. See you on stage!!!