this DVD is pretty much a encyclopedia of stick techniques. i dont think i can rally say enough about the DVD, any one curious about hand techniques this is a must buy. I've bought several DVD's over the years and this is the only one i keep coming back to. This DVD is probably the best produced DVD out there and jojo mayer's techniques and teaching ability makes this just a awesome DVD just buy if your thinking about it, money very well spent

Jojo Mayer in "Secret Weapons for the Modern Drummer" does an incredibly professional job of teaching the beginner, intermediate, or advanced drummer the art of hand technique with drum sticks. He is not teaching grooves (Tommy Igoe has an impressive set of CD's covering that subject), but rather is teaching the body mechanics that make one a top-notch drummer. Without proper stick control, one cannot advance as desired. The techniques he is teaching can be performed on a snare drum or practice pad. Other web site reviewers give this album a top score, and I add my agreement of Jojo's excellence in technical ability and teaching ability...and he if entertaining to watch. You will not regret buying this DVD

I recommend Jojo Mayer's "Secret Weapons" DVD to all drummers. I am a beginner, but this DVD set covers stick usage for all levels of players. He starts with how to hold the sticks, in the German position, the modified German position, the French position, and then the Traditional position. He then teaches how to balance the sticks and use proper body mechanics for the ideal bounce. Going over different body mechanics, he continues deeper and deeper into stick technique, showing how to do things I would have thought impossible. He is amazing! With his techniques, one should get more ideal tone, faster speed, and greater flexibility of rhythm patterns. He is (to my understanding) covering what would be called rudiments. (The techniques taught can be played on just a snare drum.)He goes on to advanced styles of drum technique. He is not teaching grooves; if you want that, try Tommy Igoe, another "must buy" instructional DVD. If you don't buy this, you're making a mistake. It will take any drummer to a higher level of playing, and it will get a beginner off to a tremendous start.

Hudson really outdid themselves on this one. Even if you can't play technical, you can learn some very useful and never before seen secrets on hand technique that many of the best have done with jaw dropping response. I still don't see how Jojo plays some of this so fast and tight with one hand but he explains in good detail how to execute these exercises. No matter what your skill level, you can learn some tricks here that will impress others!