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.
Foundational Brush Technique
When I first started playing brushes, I copied what I heard on recordings, and what people like Joe Morello were doing. When Joe came to town, I would get as close as I could to watch how he played brushes.…
The Importance of Writing Notation
We have all heard that it’s very beneficial for drummers to learn how to read music. I completely agree. For me, it was one of the many game changers for my drumming. Learning to understand basic notation gave me the…
Endurance Exercises
Balance Your Left and Right Hands! The purpose of this exercise is to strengthen each hand individually in order to achieve a balance between the two. For the right-handed drummer, the left hand is the weaker hand, and vice versa.…
Realistic Reggae Rock, Part II
Awesome Drum Fill Ideas for Irie Playing In the April issue, we kicked off your journey through Carmine Appice’s Realistic Reggae Rock with a session on hi-hat patterns. This month, Carmine unveils some cool and authentic reggae fills. Dig in!…
Developing Speed Naturally
Almost all young drummers attempt to see how fast they can play at some point. This is a natural stage of development. It is sort of like flexing your muscles just to see how strong you are. Technique is needed…
Paradiddle Combinations
We’re taking a little trip into the past to revisit a fantastic paradiddle lesson from Joe Morello’s essential book, Master Studies II . The following exercises are great for developing control. Practice each one slowly at first, and remain relaxed…
“Gaucho”
In It’s About Time: Jeff Porcaro, The Man and His Music, author Robyn Flans relates the story that the title track to Steely Dan’s Gaucho album was nearly cut when the musicians couldn’t get a good take, causing Donald Fagen…
Applying Musical Concepts to the Drumset
In order to take what you are practicing and apply it musically to the drumset, you have to develop facility, technique, and independence first. Then, you can transition to playing more freely—almost like a stream-of-consciousness, “beatnik” approach. You have to…
Realistic Reggae Rock
Hi-Hat Patterns, Part I Starting with this month’s issue, Modern Drummer is offering a three-part series curated from Carmine Appice’s brilliant book, Realistic Reggae Rock . Get those hi-hats grooving, gang! Part I consists of hi-hat patterns that apply to…
Practice Like a Pro
How to Maximize Your Time Behind the Kit The purpose of the article is to share some helpful practice tips that I’ve picked up over the years. These ideas work amazingly well when you’re learning new material for a gig.…
The Legendary Chick Webb
A Profile in Courage For this month’s From the Past article, my focus is on the great Chick Webb, an astoundingly fine player and bandleader from the mid 1920s and ’30s. Chick was a special person who had to overcome…
Gene Hoglan
The Man, the Machine, the Atomic Clock Gene Hoglan has been raising the bar in extreme metal drumming for decades. The list of iconic metal bands he’s played with is ridiculous: Death, Strapping Young Lad, Testament, Dark Angel, Old Man’s…
Creative Fills
Stepping Up Without Stepping On the Song “When doing fills around the drumset, the most important thing is the inner clock and that you’re relaxed,” says legendary session drummer John “JR” Robinson while filming a course for DrumChannel.com. “But also,…
Table of Time
This month’s Strictly Technique column features an excerpt from legendary jazz drummer/educator Joe Morello’s classic book Master Studies, called “Table of Time.” This exercise will help your development of the single-stroke roll, and also help you develop the ability to…
