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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.
Old and New September 2023
Firstly, NO, I’m not calling anyone “old!” However, it is possible that no issue of Modern Drummer portrays the idea and the relationship of old and new, better than this month’s issue. What more can be said about Max and…
Dave Sundeen’s Custom Kit
This month’s Kit of the Month comes from Dave Sundeen from Random Lake, Wisconsin. He is the drummer for the Milwaukee based bands Shelly Mack and The ReUnion and Sucker Punch. This is a custom made kit that was built…
Drumming for the Brain: Unlocking the Neurological and Psychological Benefits of Rhythmic Therapy
I’ve known this month’s guest columnist Karl Sterling for just about as long as I’ve been a professional drummer (fifty years ago his parents used to bring him to gigs when I was the drummer for Stan Kenton). A former…
Ron Spagnardi 1943-2003 Remembered After Twenty Years
It was twenty years ago this month that Modern Drummer Founder and Publisher Ron Spagnardi succumbed from his battle with cancer. Although Ron wasn’t comfortable with the term “visionary,” that’s exactly what he was. Every drummer around the world owes…
Vinnie Paul Replica Pearl “Damage Plan Kit”
This month’s Eye Candy kit is a Pearl set that was custom created by John Douglas. This is a replica of Vinnie Paul’s Damage Plan kit. The kit features two 24 x 26 bass drums, 14 x 14 and 15…
OUT NOW! New Recordings in the August 2023 Issue
Modern Drummer is spotlighting new recordings that have the drums at the center of their sound. These recordings might be drummer-led, or just include a high-quality, special, or a unique drumming and musical performance from the drummer and/or musicians in…
2023 Chicago Drum Show: The Drummers Family Reunion!
The Chicago Drum Show, now in its 32nd year, returned to the Kane County Fairgrounds on May 20 & 21, 2023. The show was a rousing success with an attendance of around 1500 visitors and over 180 booths. Attendees came…
Embrace Change
In proofing this month’s Modern Drummer, I saw a theme. It was an unconscious theme, but a theme none-the-less. Changes. It’s not just a great Yes song, a timeless David Bowie song, or a classic Buddy Miles song. Nor is…
Patience Pays Off!
This month’s Modern Drummer Kit of the Month comes from Diogo Veiga of Sao Paulo, Brazil. His kit is a Pearl Export kit with added 8” and 10” toms. At first, Diogo remembers that the Exports were only available with…
Joe Morello’s Maple Ludwigs
This Ludwig five-piece sliver sparkle maple drum kit (14×22, 9×13, 16×16, 16×18, and 5.5×14 Hammered Bronze Snare) was owned and played by Joe Morello for many years. David Frangioni studied with Joe in the 80’s and they became very close.…
Just Duet
The greatest joy in education comes when the student teaches the teacher. Jake Reed and Ryan Shaw (who is highlighted in Jake’s guest column) both studied with me at USC. They not only do me and the Thornton School of…
Why is One Never Enough?
As a self-confessed “snare drum junkie,” I often wonder why owning one snare drum is just never enough. As a fan of 1920s Ludwig two-piece Nickel Over Brass (NOB), Black Beauty’s, and Slingerland Radio King’s, why can’t I just stop…
A Dutch Beauty
Dutch drummer Bas Prins has invited Modern Drummer and our readers to enjoy some pictures of his beautiful Ayotte kit. Bas uses a special “one of a kind” 10” Keplinger snare. with his kit. Also pictured are an assortment of…
Keeping Score
Music should not be a contest. The great Hungarian composer Bela Bartok is quoted as having said that competitions should be for horses, not musicians. He refused to sit on competition juries because he didn’t want the decisions on his…
