Randy Ciarlante

Take a lesson from a veteran musician and born storyteller! Levon Helm shares musical history and the influences that helped shape his signature style. Beginners learn a variety of basics: shuffles, eighth-note grooves, the rim shot, drum intros and fills, and more. Advanced drummers will appreciate his "ghost notes,"; how his snare triggers the bass drum (and vice versa); his "eighth-note rubbin' the shuffle" feel and other techniques. Levon shares his approach to drumming and singing, shows how he transforms a song with his trademark half-time feel and demonstrates the power of double drumming in a rock 'n' roll band.

Recorded live at Open Air Festival Loreley 23. June 1996 at the Loreley Amphitheater in St. Goarshausen, Germany.