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Murray Spivack: A Lesson with Louie Bellson: Drum DVD

$19.99 USD
$19.99 USD
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Murray Spivack: A Lesson with Louie Bellson Cover Image
Murray Spivack: A Lesson with Louie Bellson: Drum DVD

Murray Spivack: A Lesson with Louie Bellson: Drum DVD

Murray Spivack

Item: 00-34522
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Description
Murray Spivack was one of the first drummers to contribute soundtracks for silent films. During the 1930s, he began teaching percussion and continued until his death in 1994. Murray became known as a "specialist" for technique and hand development. In 1992, Louie Bellson proposed the idea of documenting the approach of his teacher, Murray Spivack, in the form of filming a lesson with Louie as the student. On this DVD, Murray and Louie take you through a range of various rudiments with an emphasis on grip, stroke, and motion. In addition to Louie, two other students of Murray's (David Garibaldi and Peter Donald) are also featured, each expressing their deep feelings and respect for their teacher. The DVD includes impressive drum solos by both Louie and David.

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Additional Details
Publisher: Alfred Music
ISBN10: 0-7390-6836-9
ISBN13: 978-0-7390-6836-6
UPC: 038081385754
SKU: 00-34522

More about this title

About the Composer: Murray Spivack

Murray Spivack was a pioneering percussionist and educator who shaped modern drum technique through decades of teaching. Beginning his career as one of the first drummers to compose and perform percussion for silent film soundtracks, Spivack transitioned into full-time instruction during the 1930s, becoming renowned for his meticulous focus on grip, stroke mechanics, and hand development. His approach to rudiment study influenced several generations of professional drummers, and he continued teaching until his death in 1994.

Spivack's legacy rests not just in his playing but in his ability to systematize and transmit technique. By the 1990s, when Louie Bellson proposed documenting a lesson with Spivack on film, the drummer had already shaped the careers of musicians who would become central figures in jazz and studio drumming. This DVD represents a rare opportunity to witness Spivack's teaching philosophy directly, preserved through the eyes of three accomplished students.

Why we love this

This is essential viewing for percussionists serious about foundational technique. Rather than showing you flashy solos first, Spivack and his students spend deliberate time on grip, stroke clarity, and efficient motion through basic rudiments. That disciplined approach, combined with testimonials from David Garibaldi and Peter Donald alongside Louie Bellson, reveals how proper fundamentals become the foundation for distinctive musical voice.

What to expect

Direct, purposeful, and honest. This is not a performance showcase but a working session where technique emerges through careful repetition and correction. The respect among teacher and students creates an atmosphere of genuine learning rather than spectacle.

Who it's for

Drummers ranging from intermediate students through working professionals who want to refine their technical foundation and understand the pedagogical thinking behind professional-level hand development. Directors and percussion instructors will also find this valuable for teaching grip and stroke concepts to their own students.

How to get the most out of it

  • Watch Spivack's hand position closely during the grip demonstrations; pause and replicate the setup at your own instrument before moving forward in the video
  • Pay attention to the contrast between how each featured student applies the same rudiments; notice where their techniques diverge and why those differences developed
  • Study the stroke mechanics on both snare and bass drum, observing the relationship between arm motion and rebound rather than focusing only on speed

How to use it

Use this as a reference resource in your percussion studio during technical development phases, not as a concert program piece. Assign specific sections to students working on particular rudiments or struggling with grip and stroke consistency; the featured solos by Bellson and Garibaldi can serve as inspiration for what disciplined fundamentals make possible.

Skills your students will build

  • Grip fundamentals and hand positioning for matched grip
  • Stroke mechanics and rebound control on snare and bass drum
  • Rudiment precision with emphasis on clarity over speed
  • Understanding the relationship between efficient motion and technique development

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