Tips

Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.

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On the Beat With Joey Sulkowski of Mainland: Getting Educated On and Off the Road

Hey-o, Modern Drummers! My name is Joey Sulkowski and I play drums for Mainland, a Brooklyn based rock band that just finished a tour with Canadian superheroes Marianas Trench. A large part of my life has been spent with various…

Modern Drummer
Mar 2, 2016

On the Beat With Damon Grant: Fifteen Tips I Learned After Music School

This list is in no particular order, and they all should be number one because they are all important. Have fun and smile! People will hire you more if they like to be around you. Remember people’s names, because everyone…

Modern Drummer
Nov 4, 2015

On the Beat With Nate Arling of the Last Vegas and Urge Overkill: Top Ten Touring and Gigging Tips

Hi MD readers! My name is Nate Arling, and I live in Chicago, Illinois. I play drums in the Last Vegas and Urge Overkill. I also do studio work and have played 1,000-plus shows in fifteen-plus countries at clubs, garages,…

Modern Drummer
Jun 3, 2015

10 Tips from Bobby Sanabria

The renowned Latin and jazz drummer/percussionist has always known how to get his point across, whether in the studio, on stage, or in the classroom. Here he offers words of advice that all of us, regardless of age or preferred…

Modern Drummer
Mar 4, 2015

VIDEO! Jazz Drummer's Workshop: Stick Control Revisited, Part 4 (March 2014 Issue)

by Steve Fidyk Welcome to the fourth and final installment in our series on Stick Control drumset applications. This month we’ll explore ways of interpreting author George Lawrence Stone’s exercises while playing up-tempo swing rhythms. As you practice the applications,…

Modern Drummer
Jan 28, 2014
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VIDEO! Jazz Drummer's Workshop: Stick Control Revisited, Part 3 (December 2013 Issue)

  by Steve Fidyk Welcome to the third installment in our series on drumset applications of George Lawrence Stone’s classic book Stick Control. The  variations in the article utilize the “72 Single Beat Combinations” found on pages 5–7. In this…

Modern Drummer
Oct 31, 2013

Rock & Jazz Clinic: Melodic Drumming (October 2013 Issue)

In this lesson we’re going to explore a way to represent a melodic guitar riff from a classic-rock tune on the kit, while playing the song’s drumbeat at the same time. Be sure to check out the complete article in…

Modern Drummer
Aug 29, 2013

Of Gasoline & Groceries: Economic Survival Tips for the Working Drummer

  by Bernie Schallehn   The following article originally ran in the April 2009 issue of Modern Drummer magazine, which is available as a back issue. To find out what issues are currently available in digital form, go to the…

Modern Drummer
Jun 7, 2012

Mind Matters: Releasing The Pressure Of Sitting In

The following is an excerpt from the Modern Drummer book Mind Matters: Overcoming Common Mental Barriers in Drumming, by Bernie Schallehn Releasing The Pressure Of Sitting In Q: Many years ago, when I was in my twenties, I was fortunate to play…

Modern Drummer
Apr 12, 2012

12 Drumming Myths: Debunking Drum Gospel

by Adam Budofsky   Want to be a better drummer? Try taking these words out of your vocabulary: Always. Only. All. Never. Despite the prevalence of educational books, DVDs, and online lessons, most drumming information is still passed down the…

Modern Drummer
Mar 13, 2012

Gimme 10! Bobby Sanabria

This piece originally ran in the  April 2010 issue of Modern Drummer. One of the most world-traveled, well-spoken, and high-profile drummer/leaders on the planet tells us what’s what, Sanabria style.   Check out clinics other than just drum and percussion events. The…

Modern Drummer
Feb 24, 2012

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Van

      This article originally ran in the October 2005 issue of Modern Drummer magazine. For access to all of the great editorial from MD’s first twenty-six years of publication, check out our Digital Archive.   by Jon Wurster…

Modern Drummer
Feb 3, 2012
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Escaping Toyland: The Modern Drummer Guide To Purchasing A Children’s Drumkit

by Will Romano In the past, when a child begged for his or her first drumkit, parents priced professional musical equipment only to settle for fragile, mass-produced toys—or shied away from buying a drumset altogether. Today, after collecting feedback from…

Modern Drummer
Nov 21, 2011

L.A. Freelancer Nick Mason

Hello, Modern Drummer readers! I know everyone who writes a blog on here starts it out the same way, but honestly how else are you supposed to do it? I’m sure most of you are scratching your head wondering just…

Modern Drummer
Apr 5, 2010
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