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.

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Understanding the Language of MusicChord Progressions 101

Modern Drummer founder Ron Spagnardi wrote an excellent book called Understanding the Language of Music, a Drummer’s Guide to Theory and Harmony. This book spells out the basics of theory and harmony in a very easy to understand way. It…

By Ron Spagnardi
Feb 1, 2025

Master Studies II: Eighth Note and Triplet Combinations

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,…

By Joe Morello
Feb 1, 2025

Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming: Linear Cross-Rhythm Combinations

In the new and revised edition of the Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming, Bobby includes nine new double bass drumming chapters. The new and expanded edition covers contemporary techniques such as bass drum double strokes, feet-only exercises, binary and ternary…

By Bobby Rondinelli
Feb 1, 2025

Five Drumming FLOW Hacks You Can Use TODAY

I believe getting into flow is one of the main reasons we drum. This is where that feeling of the drums playing you comes from. We all have those days that feel like the furthest thing from flow, it’s when…

By Chris Lesso
Feb 1, 2025

Duet 18

Ron Spagnardi wrote a terrific book called Snare Drum Duets: 25 Duets for Two Snare Drummers. It offers a selection of 25 challenging duets that range in difficulty from relatively simple to more complex. A wide assortment of time signatures…

By Ron Spagnardi
Jan 1, 2025
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Vocabulary Development Essentials Part 5 -Putting it All Together!

Welcome to the final installment of our “Vocabulary Development Essentials” series, where we’ve explored adding embellishments to hand and foot combinations to expand your rhythmic language. In this part, we focus on integrating all the embellishments you’ve learned into a…

By Michael Packer
Jan 1, 2025

Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming: Seven Note Linear Cross Rhythms

In the new and revised edition of the Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming, Bobby Rondinelli includes nine new double bass drumming chapters. The new and expanded edition covers contemporary techniques such as bass drum double strokes, feet-only exercises, binary and…

Modern Drummer
Jan 1, 2025

Have Fun Not Knowing…

Not knowing something hurts. Who actually wants to sound bad on the drums? When our identity gets wrapped up in our endeavours, missing the mark makes us feel worthless. This is because when going into new territory, we go through…

By Chris Lesso
Jan 1, 2025

Master Studies II: Warm-Up Exercises

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. He was also masterful at creating exercises,…

By Joe Morello
Jan 1, 2025

Don Grolnick's "Nothing Personal," from Michael Brecker S/T, Jack DeJohnette drums.

The first transcription of 2025 highlights the legendary Jack DeJohnette, taken from Michael Brecker’s debut solo album. The track, “Nothing Personal,” exemplifies DeJohnette’s status as one of the greatest jazz drummers of all time. Jack’s drumming is both innovative and…

Transcription by Marc Atkinson
Jan 1, 2025

Understanding the Language of Music : Chord Alterations

Modern Drummer founder Ron Spagnardi wrote an excellent book called Understanding the Language of Music, a Drummer’s Guide to Theory and Harmony. This book spells out the basics of theory and harmony in a very easy to understand way. It…

By Ron Spagnardi
Dec 1, 2024

Vocabulary Development Essentials Part 4 - Hand and Foot Combinations with Flams

In last month’s edition, we explored the concept of enhancing your vocabulary through musical hand and foot combinations with diddles. This month, we’re diving into the world of flams, a powerful embellishment that will significantly elevate your drumming vocabulary and…

By Michael Packer
Dec 1, 2024
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Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming: Five and Six Note Linear Cross Rhythms

In the new and revised edition of the Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming, Bobby includes nine new double bass drumming chapters. The new and expanded edition covers contemporary techniques such as bass drum double strokes, feet-only exercises, binary and ternary…

By Bobby Rondinelli
Dec 1, 2024

The 12 Week Year

There’s one problem with setting annual goals, a year is too long. How many people get fired up over their New Year’s resolutions, only to forget about them a couple weeks later? Have you ever set a goal and thought,…

By Chris Lesso
Dec 1, 2024
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