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.
Rock Perspectives
Rock is now over twenty years old and so are the techniques of rock drumming. Years ago, the simplicity of rock was looked down upon by the astute musician. Today, rock has become extremely complex and progressive. TO READ THE…
Show & Studio
At one point in your drumming career, you're apt to ask yourself, how can I earn more money? The answer may be, become a percussionist. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Complete Percussionist
Rolling is the term used in reference to sustaining sounds on drums. Each percussion instrument has its own techniques of rolling—each unique, but yet each similar in many ways. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Jazz Drummer's Workshop - What Does An Arranger, Composer Look For In A Drummer?
Jay Corre is an internationally known composer, arranger, and performer. He has performed with Buddy Rich, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra to name a few. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Basics - The Lindy Beat by Rich Redmond
The classic rhythm we’re exploring this month has weathered the test of time since first appearing in the early twentieth century. The pattern is associated with the jazz dance called the Lindy hop, which originated in Manhattan’s Harlem neighborhood in…
Strictly Technique - Consecutive Flams part 3: Inverted Motion
In the third installment of this series, we’re going to modify the exercise by removing one tap from the transitions. Instead of using a flam accent to shift from one hand to the next, we’ll use an inverted flam tap.…
Odd Groupings Over Samba with Mike Johnston
What do you do when you have two things in the refrigerator or pantry that taste awesome by themselves? You put them together! You start simple, combining things like peanut butter and jelly, eggs and bacon, milk and cereal. Then…
From The Past: Chick Webb
The story of Chick Webb is more than the story of a dynamic drummer of the swing era. It's the story of a gallant little man who overcame physical deformity, hardship and pain. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO…
Time Keeps You Humble
You’ve probably seen this month’s quote by the English novelist Thomas Hardy, which is sometimes shortened to “time changes everything.” I have a slight adjustment to it: Time changes approach. Your approach to all aspects of life changes with time.…
Progressive Independence: Rock Revisited
Fifteen years ago, the founder of Modern Drummer, Ron Spagnardi, published a book devoted to developing independence for rock and funk drumming. This book, Progressive Independence: Rock, has served as a great resource for me over the years, as both…
Diamonds in the Ruff - Part 1: The Mighty Three-Stroke
The first thing I learned when I started taking drum lessons was the three-stroke ruff. I was shown a few ways of playing it, with different accents and stickings, but it wasn’t until I heard Cream drummer Ginger Baker play…
Grooving on the Snare - Six Beats That Break From the Kick/Snare/Hat Cliché
The first grooves that most of us learn are variations of countless rock, R&B, and pop recordings that feature the bass drum on beats 1 and 3, the snare on beats 2 and 4, and the ride or hi-hat chugging…
Jazz Drummer's Workshop - Polyrhythms
What is usually meant when one hears a description of the term polyrhythm is a misinterpretation of the term polymeter. Polymeters are two or more meters usually related mathematically, and played simultaneously. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS…
Drum Soloist Tony Williams Solo
Skip Shaffer is currently the drummer with the Airmen of Note, U. S. Air Force Jazz Ensemble in Washington, D. C. He is very involved in transcribing the work of Tony Williams and Louie Bellson, and has also just completed…
