Search

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.

Advertisement

Color Your Groove Tips for Playing Drums and Handheld Percussion Simultaneously

Adding handheld percussion, like shakers and tambourines, to tracks in the studio is nothing new. Producers have long taken advantage of the opportunity to overdub layers of rhythmic texture without necessarily worrying about how it’s all going to be replicated…

by Eric Novod
Feb 28, 2018

Syncopation Revisited Part 6: Assorted Applications

Welcome to the final installment of our series on ways to interpret the classic Ted Reed book Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer. The following applications can be used with any of the seventy-two repetitive one-measure examples from…

by Steve Fidyk
Feb 28, 2018

Be Prepared! Long-Term and Short-Term Skills for Success

I thought I would use this month’s column to elaborate on the details of developing your product. Last month we discussed balancing artistry and commerce. We broke that down into the four parts of these vital components. First, make a…

by Russ Miller
Feb 28, 2018

Mind Matters - The Power of “No”

Q: My lead guitarist is finding fault with the drum parts I write. When we first attempt a new tune, he often rolls his eyes, makes a face, and stops the song. He’ll either start offering suggestions or ask to…

by Bernie Schallehn
Feb 28, 2018

Developing the Single-Stroke Roll

A Fresh Routine for Facility

by Mike Alfieri
Feb 28, 2018
Advertisement

Organic Odd-Time Patterns

A Smooth Method for Uncommon Phrases

by Aaron Edgar
Feb 28, 2018

Uptempo Studies - Part 1: Whole Notes and Half Notes

In this series, we’ll focus on exercises that develop flexibility and endurance when playing fast tempos (300 bpm and up). To efficiently play at these speeds, it’s essential to stay relaxed. To gain the confidence and language necessary to handle…

by Steve Fidyk
Feb 28, 2018

Playing on the Upbeat

Twenty Funky Phrases and Variations

by Powell Randolph
Feb 28, 2018

Reading Syncopated Rhythms

Getting Familiar With Offbeats

by Joel Rothman
Feb 28, 2018

Artistry Versus Commerce Balance Is Everything

For this month’s column I’ve chosen to discuss the most-asked question I receive at shows, at clinics, and on the Web: “How do you balance finance and drumming?” The quote by the great Irish playwright Oscar Wilde sums up the…

by Russ Miller
Feb 23, 2018

Syncopation Revisited Part 5: Afro-Cuban Applications

Welcome to part five in our continuing series on ways to interpret the classic Ted Reed book Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer. This time we’ll apply Afro-Cuban ideas to the written manuscript. The following applications can be…

by Steve Fidyk
Feb 23, 2018

Groove Freedom Part 3: 32nd-Note Patterns

Welcome to the third and final installment of my “Groove Freedom” series. For those of you who missed the first two lessons, these articles are based on exercises from my latest book, Groove Freedom. The book is built from the…

by Mike Johnston
Feb 23, 2018
Advertisement

Duple/Triple Single-Diddle Gear Shifters Part 1: 8th-Note Triplets and 16ths

In part one of this two-part series, we’re going to isolate our timing and sticking “gear shifts” between 8th-note triplets (twelve notes per measure) and 16th notes (sixteen notes per measure). Not only will these exercises be great for your…

by Bill Bachman
Feb 23, 2018

The Paradiddle Pyramid

A Quick and Effective Warm-Up Routine for the Hands and Feet   The following exercise routine is great for drummers who have limited practice time. It also makes for a killer warm-up before gigs, sessions, or rehearsals. The routine is…

by Philip Elliot
Feb 21, 2018
Advertisement