Education
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.
The New Breed: (More) Advanced Reading
Gary Chester’s groundbreaking book The New Breed is legendary. The book, and Gary’s teaching methods are deeply intertwined, it is a lifelong commitment of dedication, study, and development. Gary Chester’s Systems, Reading Exercises, Advanced Systems, Advanced Reading Exercises, Composite Systems,…
Master Studies II: Sticking Variations In Groups of Seven
As a follow-up to Joe Morello’s legendary Master Studies book, he released Master Studies II in 2006. Joe was a masterful teacher and helped many great drummers with their musicality, technique, and touch. Joe was also masterful at creating exercises,…
Progressive Drumming Essentials: Torturous Septuplets
Progressive Drumming Essentials is a collection of articles originally written for Modern Drummer magazine. They are exactly what the title says, PROGRESSIVE drumming essentials. This series of articles, and the book that contains them all, represent a great deal of…
Bending Time
Rhythm grids may seem fixed, like mathematical subdivisions resting in space, but that isn’t the end of the story. Once we’ve got our grids down (!!!), we can start bend them at will. Imagine a perfectly round ball gliding down…
Silent Drum Practice - Part Two, Who is Leading Now?
Welcome to part two of my series on practicing drums without drums! This exercise can be done anywhere. Play the following exercise with your hands on your thighs or with sticks on the pad, depending on whether you are at…
Sublime “Santeria,” drummer Bud Gaugh
This month’s transcription highlights Bud Gaugh’s drumming on the song “Santeria.” The chart is as straightforward as the tune itself, illustrating what appears to be a simple part on paper. But make no mistake, Bud’s deep pocket and subtle fills make…
The New Breed: Advanced Reading
Gary Chester’s groundbreaking book The New Breed is legendary. The book, and Gary’s teaching methods are deeply intertwined, it is a lifelong commitment of dedication, study, and development. Gary Chester’s Systems, Reading Exercises, Advanced Systems, Advanced Reading Exercises, Composite Systems,…
Master Studies II: Developing the Single Stroke Roll (Some More…)
As a follow-up to Joe Morello’s legendary Master Studies book, he released Master Studies II in 2006. Joe was a masterful teacher and helped many great drummers with their musicality, technique, and touch. Joe was also masterful at creating exercises,…
Progressive Drumming Essentials: Groove Contraction
Progressive Drumming Essentials is a collection of articles originally written for Modern Drummer magazine. They are exactly what the title says, PROGRESSIVE drumming essentials. This series of articles, and the book that contains them all, represent a great deal of…
The Swing Pulse
“It don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing.” Duke Ellington The swing pulse is that kinetic quality that you can’t quite put your finger on, the quality that you intuitively know when it’s there, or when it’s…
Silent Drum Practice
The drum set is a great instrument, but it is also quite loud, which means you can’t play it anywhere and anytime without causing problems. I often hear from students saying that they couldn’t practice, or could only practice for…
“Amber” by 311 from the recording From Chaos, drummer Chad Sexton
This month’s transcription takes a dive into this month’s cover feature interview Chad Sexton’s laid-back groove on the 311 song “Amber.” It’s a deceptively simple and deeply felt part that is built entirely on restraint, groove, and phrasing. Chad settles into a relaxed,…
The New Breed: Advanced Systems
Gary Chester’s groundbreaking book The New Breed is legendary. The book, and Gary’s teaching methods are deeply intertwined, it is a lifelong commitment of dedication, study, and development. Gary Chester’s Systems, Reading Exercises, Advanced Systems, Advanced Reading Exercises, Composite Systems,…
Master Studies II: Developing the Single Stroke Roll
As a follow-up to Joe Morello’s legendary Master Studies book, he released Master Studies II in 2006. Joe was a masterful teacher and helped many great drummers with their musicality, technique, and touch. Joe was also masterful at creating exercises,…
