The Way of the Pulse: Drumming with Spirit

An outstanding book for discoverying and understanding the power and spirit of a pulsing, steady beat. As a frustrated Drummer trying to get a workout, I found this book in my search to understand and explain the hypnotic rhythm created by speed bag punching, and this book enlightened me to several reasons that I (and others I teach) are so drawn to the pulsing bag beat. This book simply explains why what makes the "beat go on" inside us all. This was a refreshing read for a long time drummer.

I love this book. There are a number of brief papers which discuss important ideas and concepts, but my favorites are the little poems, or aphorisms. Maybe two or three to a page, they conjure up images, pose questions or set in motion trains of thought that really get to the heart of why the creative arts are so important to our life, health and general well-being. This is a book that can be read over and over again - each time revealing something new.

This book is about more than just drumming. It shows how you can use music to help yourself and those round you. Diamond's approach is a unique, and combines philosophy with psychology and numerous other modalities. The writing ranges from the philosophical to practical suggestions and it has been a great inspiration to me in using music to enhance my life. One wonderful aspect to his approach is that anybody can do it--it's all about intention, not technique.

Reading this book opened up the world of music and showed me a way to become free from the tyranny of the beat, the "must be right" of conservatory training.

This book gave me insight not only into music and drumming, but also into life. Too, I love the style of the writing! It is poetic and inspirational. I recommend this for anyone involved in percussion -- on all levels of proficiency -- and also for anyone interested in how music can help people throughout their whole lives.