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John Blackwell, world-class groove master and drummer with Prince, offers his approach to developing the astounding technique he has become know for, including key exercises that he used as a student and still uses today. John covers building a solo, single hand rolls, single pedal technique and much more. He also shows, in detail, his amazing stick twirling technique, and explains how he was influenced and inspired by heroes like Lionel Hampton, Sonny Payne and Gene Krupa. Also included on Technique, Grooving and Showmanship is incredible footage of John's performance at the Modern Drummer Festival 2002 with his band Matrix, featuring Tom Coster, Baron Browne and Bruce Bartlett. A great segment on grooving features John in the studio with Baron Browne on bass, playing and discussing styles that include funk, jazz, blues and funk ballads. Special DVD Features: a camera-switching option • an optional commentary by John • historic clips of some of John's biggest stick-twirling influences, with a narration by John • interviews with John and with his father, John Blackwell, Sr., backstage at the Modern Drummer Festival 2002 • a photo gallery • and more! Running Time: 4 hours.

This two-video boxed set documents Mike Portnoy's innovative drum stylings in the highly acclaimed fusion/progressive metal music of Dream Theater and Liquid Tension Experiment. Volume One features music from both CDs by Liquid Tension Experiment and includes footage shot at Millbrook Studios, where both were recorded. Mike performs eight songs/segments and breaks down parts from each, explaining how to develop a 'toolbox' of fills and patterns to draw from. Featured throughout is exclusive footage of the making of the first LTE album, as well as rare live footage of the band. 89 minutes. Volume Two focuses on the music of Dream Theater and features footage shot at Beartracks Studios. Mike performs eleven songs/segments from the Falling into Infinity and Scenes from a Memory CDs and isolates the drum parts from each song. He discusses playing in odd-time signatures, developing double bass technique, soloing, and much more. Includes exclusive live footage of Dream Theater from their 1998 World Tour. 86 minutes.