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.
BackBeats: John Densmore: The Doors Unhinged
Standing firm in his conviction that the Doors must not be misrepresented or commercialized, the band’s drummer meets two of his former mates in court. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Strictly Technique - Playing the Sixes
It can be difficult to get young students to feel excited about sitting down and working on rudiments. The material in this two-part series is designed to encourage drummers to dig into some of the basic rudimental sticking patterns and…
Rock 'N' Jazz Clinic - The Odds Are in Your Favor
Searching for a way to break out of the old four-16th-notes-per-drum rut when playing fills? Applying odd note groupings can equip you with some fresh ideas that also sound very hip. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
Rock Perspectives - Double Bass Workout, Part 2
In this lesson we’ll explore some challenging yet practical double bass grooves. We’re mixing 16th notes, 16th-note triplets, 32nd notes, and 32nd-note triplets. Remember to always practice to a metronome or click track. Start off slowly and master each pattern…
In Memoriam - Alan Myers
The drummer from the classic Devo lineup of the ’70s and ’80s died this past June 24 at age fifty-eight. Josh Freese, who’s been manning the throne in the band since the mid-’90s, pays tribute to the highly creative, super-precise…
Encore Aqualung
It’s completely feasible that if Jethro Tull’s founding drummer hadn’t retired from the road in the early ’70s, just as the band was becoming an international phenomenon, his name would come up as often—and as reverently—as Messrs. Bonham, Moon, and…
In Memoriam - Lenny DiMuzio
In Memoriam Lenny DiMuzio When Lennie DiMuzio died this past March 7 after a long battle with cancer, the phrase “end of an era” was truly appropriate. During his decades working at Zildjian and then for Sabian, DiMuzio defined what…
In Memoriam - A.J. Pero
In Memoriam A.J. Pero On March 20, while on the road with Adrenaline Mob, longtime Twister Sister drummer A.J. Pero suffered a fatal heart attack while asleep on his tour bus. He was fifty-five. According to Twister Sister frontman Dee…
Nickel and Chrome Plating: What's the Difference?
It’s Questionable Iam looking to buy a nice 6.5×14 brass snare to use as my primary drum for studio and live applications. I really like the clean, shiny look of chrome, but I notice that a lot of studio drummers…
In Memoriam - Jim Coffin
Coffin was born in Waterloo, Iowa, in 1931, and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). After playing professionally in Los Angeles, he returned to Iowa and taught high school starting in 1956. TO READ…
Benny Goodman - The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert
It was the floor tom heard round the world, Gene Krupa’s call to revolution: “Drummers to the fore!” TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Rebuilding Double Bass Chops
As in any area of drumming, there are no shortcuts to building chops. You have to invest a considerable amount of time and make sure you’re practicing efficiently and effectively, with proper mechanics. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO…
In Memoriam: Remo Belli 1927–2016
Remo Belli started out like most of us: a humble drummer, looking to make a difference on the scene. Even he could not have predicted that, in time, that scene would encompass all of humankind. In this special tribute, players…
An Editor's Overview - Follow Your Heart
There are multiple reasons we go down particular paths of drumming education. Our first teacher introduces us to Stick Control, and we start getting our hands together. We hear “Achilles Last Stand,” and John Bonham’s right foot becomes the new…
