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.
Rhythm Vocabulary Development Series Part 4: Playing in 5/8
In the last installment of this series, we explored the concept of “filling the spaces” in 6/8—how understanding rhythm as spatial awareness can give your vocabulary new dimension and depth. This time, we’re venturing into slightly more angular territory with…
Master Studies II: Variations of the Triple Paradiddle
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: Double Bass Boot Camp
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 5th Limb: SING YOUR DRUMS
Singing anything we can hear or imagine births it into the world by giving it shape and substance. Now we’re no longer just drummers, but sound-crafters. Singing rhythms taps into the soul of the drummer, awakening consciousness of a deeper…
Billy Cobham "Quadrant 4" from the Billy Cobham recording Spectrum
Let’s rewind to October 3rd, 1973—the day Spectrum by the legendary Billy Cobham hit the world. Recorded in just three days, the album captures a raw, live energy, with most tracks laid down in only one or two takes. That urgency and…
The New Breed: Concepts
Gary Chester’s groundbreaking book The New Breed is influential and legendary. The book, Gary’s teaching methods, and his Concepts are deeply intertwined. They are a lifelong commitment of dedication, study, and development. Before we start practicing Gary Chester’s Systems, Reading…
Rhythm Vocabulary Development Series Part 3: Filling in the Spaces in 6/8
Rhythm as Space: In our last installment, we explored how rhythmic vocabulary can be expanded by understanding rhythm as space—a concept that becomes even more powerful in odd time signatures like 7/4. This month, we shift our focus to a…
Master Studies II: Paradiddles with Fill-Ins Using Multiple-Rebound Strokes
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: Understanding Odd Time Signatures
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, represents a great deal of…
Press Play & MOVE
“The real knowing is in the playing. Drums give up their true secrets only to players, not PhDs.” Mickey Hart I once heard a health expert ask, if you could do just one thing for your overall well-being that would…
Earth, Wind & Fire's "Getaway" from the recording Spirit, Fred White, Drummer
This month’s transcription is a tribute to the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire. The track “Getaway” appears on the band’s seventh studio album “Spirit,” released in 1976. Among the group’s lineup was drummer Fred White—one of three brothers in the…
Rhythm Vocabulary Development Series Part 2: Filling in the Spaces in 7/4
Rhythm as Space: Unlocking Your Creative Flow in 7/4 In our last installment, we explored how rhythmic vocabulary can be expanded by understanding rhythm not just as notes, but as space—a concept that becomes even more powerful in odd time…
The New Breed
This month, Modern Drummer will start excerpting sections of Gary Chester’s groundbreaking book The New Breed. This book, and Gary’s teaching methods are deeply intertwined, it is a lifelong commitment of dedication, study, and development. Before we start reprinting Gary…
