Departments
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.
On The Job
Disco style drumming has its own unique sound. To authentically capture that sound and feeling calls for a little preliminary preparation. The pulse is basically a moving eighth note rock feeling complete with a 2 and 4 afterbeat. TO READ…
Drum Soloist - Roy Haynes
Roy Haynes is one of the leading exponents of modern jazz drumming. His influence in the development of the progressive styles of the late forties and fifties was equal to that of Kenny Clarke, Max Roach and Art Blakey. TO…
Jazz Drummer's Workshop - Practice Musically
Many serious drummers have at some point in their study, spent a great deal of time on technical exercises of a mechanical nature (rudiments, stick control exercises, reading texts, etc.), all done with only the best intentions and sincere dedication.…
Strictly Technique - Warm-Ups
Almost every drummer has his own special collection of favorite warm-up exercises and hand conditioners. I've found the following assortment of simple yet very effective exercises using sixteenth notes, single sticking and accents to be most helpful. TO READ THE…
Shop Talk
It's really sad to say that throughout my years of professional playing, I've come across so many excellent drummers who don't take the time to care for their instrument. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Jazz Drummer's Workshop - What Does An Arranger, Composer Look For In A Drummer?
Jay Corre is an internationally known composer, arranger, and performer. He has performed with Buddy Rich, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra to name a few. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Drivers Seat - Playing In a Section
The rhythm section is the hear t of the Jazz Ensemble and like its counterpart in our body, cannot be abused. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Jazz Drummer's Workshop - Polyrhythms
What is usually meant when one hears a description of the term polyrhythm is a misinterpretation of the term polymeter. Polymeters are two or more meters usually related mathematically, and played simultaneously. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS…
Drum Soloist Tony Williams Solo
Skip Shaffer is currently the drummer with the Airmen of Note, U. S. Air Force Jazz Ensemble in Washington, D. C. He is very involved in transcribing the work of Tony Williams and Louie Bellson, and has also just completed…
Rudimental Symposium
Execution is probably the primary concern of any drum corps drum line. Outlined here are some tips to aid in attaining a higher level of execution as well as exercises to develop stamina and facility in the drum line. TO…
Show & Studio
This article may appear to be very simply written but is by far the most important thing that a musician needs to know for playing arrangements. There is an unwritten code on how to mark charts (arrangements), that only experienced…
Rock Perspectives - Playing Rock Tambourine
Although there are many different types of tambourines they can be basically broken down into two groups, 1) those with heads, 2) those without. The most widely used tambourine in the pop field is the headless, or rock, tambourine. TO…
Rudimental Symposium: The Swiss Rudiments - A Brief Insight
Since the onset of our Rudimental Symposium series, we've had several requests to supply some information on the interesting Swiss Rudiments. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Drivers Seat: Tips From Butch Miles
A big band is many things. It can be top-heavy and cumbersome, or to quote a certain well-known world champion, it can float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
