Concepts
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.
CONCEPTS - Your Library
American author and clergyman Harry Emerson Fosdick makes a very important point about the acquisition of knowledge in any field. We must look back, stay current, and use inspirations to build our future. For us drummers, spending time gaining knowledge…
CONCEPTS - The Business of Gigging
This month’s topic, so eloquently summarized by Henry Ford, has been on my mind for a few months. I went to see the Rush R40 tour this past July. I’ve seen Rush many times over the years, but I knew…
The Responsibility Is Ours by Russ Miller
Concepts The Responsibility Is Ours Calls to Action to Combat the Current State of Affairs by Russ Miller This month I want to discuss one of the biggest concerns facing the drum world: the fact that fewer and fewer people…
CONCEPTS - Trolling
I have to admit that I’m not very excited about the whole social network thing. I realize that I didn’t grow up with it, and accepting something new is not always easy. But being involved online has become a necessity…
Starting (or Advancing) at Any Age
I have the privilege of meeting players from all over the world. I also meet many people who are interested in taking up the drums but are torn about it. Many of the excuses for not starting to play are…
CONCEPTS - Drum Clinics
I had a conversation with an employee of one of the drum companies the other day. In this conversation, he said, “Drum clinics are a waste of time and money, and they don’t work anymore.” This struck me as very…
CONCEPTS - Organize Your Gear
I’ve had many requests to discuss selecting, organizing, and maintaining equipment, so this is the first part in a short series on those subjects. I’m starting with the organization of gear and how to take it to jobs so that…
Endorsements - Part 1: Let's Get Real
Endorsement contracts with instrument companies is a hot topic. Covering the subject has been requested so much, and I’ve been asked about it so often, that I decided to do a two-part column. To get the truth out, I enlisted…
Do I Need an Attorney? Part 1: When to Expand Your Team
I was recently in a difficult situation with a business I was doing work for on a weekly basis. They owed me a considerable amount of money but had no intention of paying me for my services. After failing to convince…
Concepts - Playing From The Inside Out
This month I’d like to discuss one of the biggest issues I see with young drummers: the loose and questionable sound of unintentional ideas. This usually happens during fills and solos, but it sometimes exists during grooves as well. Many…
Concepts - It's Time To Retool!
I came to the realization a few years ago that to maintain success, I have to constantly adjust, retool, forecast, and create new business plans. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
A New Year, A New You? Reviewing and Renewing Your Goals, Part 2
Welcome to Part 2 of our new year/new you discussion. Last month we talked about reflection. This time we’re covering the topics of imitation and experience. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
A New Year, A New You? Reviewing and Renewing Your Goals, Part 1
We’ve discussed before how the ability to finish something is much more valuable than the ability to start something. Most people are starters, but the most successful people are the finishers. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
Concepts - Staying Current
Everybody faces the challenge of staying current. It happens in just about everything in life. The music business in particular always seems to be looking for the next new thing, which can be a problem because it ignores the fact…
