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 Jon Christensen Approach
Developing a Modern Straight-8th Concept In this article we’re going to explore the broken, straight-8th feel that the late, great Norwegian drummer Jon Christensen utilized to majestic effect on many classic albums for German jazz label ECM. The exercises included…
Modern-Jazz/Rock/Fusion Powerhouse Ronald Bruner Jr..
Grammy-winning drummer, producer, singer, and songwriter Ronald Bruner Jr. is one of today’s most electrifying performers. His exciting “no holds barred” approach has gained the respect of some of the industry’s top artists, and his genre-busting style is a combination…
Papa Jo Jones
The Father of Modern Jazz Drumming Papa Jo Jones was the epitome of swing, from his very early days with the Count Basie band in the ’30s until he passed away in 1985. His style, grace, and incredibly musical approach…
Neil Peart
“La Villa Strangiato” from Hemispheres We transcribed a ton of classic Neil Peart parts in our May 2020 tribute issue to Rush’s legendary drummer. One song we left out, however, was the instrumental tour de force “La Villa Strangiato” from…
Stick Technique Revisited
Part 1: Matched Grip Matched grip simply means that the hands hold the sticks in a mirror image of one another. There are important variations within matched grip, however, both in terms of the hand angles and fulcrums (pivot points)…
Displaced Paradiddles
A Progressive, Grid-Based Approach to Developing Modern Licks from an Ancient Rudiment One of the most common ways to practice displacing rhythms so that they start on different partials of the beat is by applying them to the grid, which…
Making Simple Ideas Extraordinary
Modern Pop/R&B Great Aaron Spears on How to Milk the Most from Basic Quarter Notes “Drums are an extension of who you are,” says modern pop/R&B great Aaron Spears in a recent video lesson for DrumChannel.com. “The way you play…
Dirk Verbeuren
An In-Depth Look at Extreme Metal’s Master Blaster. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
The Big Beat of Hard-Bop Great Art Blakey
In both deeds and words, Art Blakey was the definition of a dedicated jazz musician, mentor, and musical messenger. His driving, thunderous, and propulsive playing style synthesized the rhythmic approach of West African drumming coupled with American blues. TO READ…
Rhythmic Emotion -A Masterclass in Applying Tension-and-Release to Your Drumming
A Masterclass in Applying Tension-and-Release to Your Drumming TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Technique Vs. Musicality Remove Yourself and Let Nature Guide You
A lot of drummers like to pit technique and musicality against each other as if they’re polar opposites. But they’re actually very closely related. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Gregg Bissonette Breaks Down Tower of Power’s “What Is Hip?”
The contemporary studio/touring great gives his take on a classic beat by funk pioneer David Garibaldi. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
In The Studio with Drummer/Producer Elton Charles
The pace in Nashville studios struck Charles as the biggest change. “Here in Nashville, we have maybe fifteen or twenty minutes to get drum sounds,” he says. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Neil Peart on “Malignant Narcissism”
“The opening drum pattern of ‘Malignant Narcissism’ came about in some interesting ways,” said Peart during a 2009 video lesson for Drumchannel.com. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
