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.
Drum Design Knowledge, Part 3: The Snare Bed
We need to be experts at our jobs, and knowing our tools is a part of that. I always put together my rig for tours or gigs, and then take suggestions from my tech on how to make the setup…
Self-Appointed Authorities Can Be Dangerous To Your Health
According to Webster’s Dictionary, an authority is “a person with much knowledge or experience in some field, whose opinion is hence reliable: an expert.” Unfortunately, many so-called authorities are “self-appointed.” They want to be authorities, but they lack the training,…
Graham Lear: "Head, Hands & Feet"
Graham Lear: “Head, Hands & Feet” From the album Moonflower by Santana (Columbia C2-34914) TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Notes On The Making Of MOVING PICTURES, Part III
I would like to cover a few aspects of individual songs on Moving Pictures from the drummer’s point of view. “Tom Sawyer” is an enjoyable piece of work, mainly based on a funky backbeat rhythm in 4/4, with an instrumental…
"Start Me Up"
While styles come and go, the Stones’ success seems to be based in their unwavering dedication to their trademark: basic and unpretentious rock ‘n’ roll. “Start Me Up” is the latest in the long line of Rolling Stones’ hits, and…
Visualizing For Successful Performance
What mental picture do you have in your mind when you are practicing? Are you picturing your favorite drummer? If you have an important concert coming up do you picture what might go wrong? Do you imagine that others may…
Do Self-Taught Drummers Play Better?
Some well-known drummers, who have never taken lessons, play very well. Other well-known drummers, who have studied for years, also play very well. Drummers who have not studied sometimes tend to be critical of those who have. The following defensive…
Establishing Tempo
Drummers from every style of music have been interviewed in this magazine, and while they might express widely different philosophies or advocate various techniques of playing, they all seem to agree on one thing: the importance of keeping good time.…
Studies In Style: Part II - Tony Williams
Tony Williams joined Miles Davis in 1963, setting levels of drum technique, musicality and interaction which are models for drummers today. On Miles’ Four and More, the tightness of the rhythm section seems to give Tony the confidence and the…
Notes On The Making Of Moving Pictures Part II
I’d like to say a few words about the dreaded click track. With a purist’s pride, I resisted using this electronic metronome for many years, although the pursuit of really good time has been a constant trial for me. It…
Chuck Flores "Es Tiempo"
“Es Tiempo” from the album Flores Azules (Dobre Records DR-1001) TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Minimal Miking Techniques
One-,Two-,and Three-Mic Setups for a More Natural Sound by Mark Parsons Whether you use the term “minimal,” “organic,” “old school,” or “vintage,” there’s definitely a renewed interest in capturing that drumset-in-a-room vibe that was employed on pretty much…
Triplet Gear-Shifter
12-18-24 Exercise, Part 1 This month we’re going to challenge your hands by playing triplets as 12th notes, 18th notes, and 24th notes, with and without accents. (We’ll use two other stickings in the second installment.) First let’s define…
Funk Drumming Training Camp
Part 1: Paradiddles and 16th-Note Subdivisions Having a tight, solid, good-feeling groove has always been important in drumming. In many cases, bandleaders, singers, and other musicians value a drummer with a solid groove and a good feel more than…
