Rock Perspectives
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.
Odd Groupings on the Offbeats
Alternative Rhythmic Placements for More Adventurous Options If you’ve been working through my articles over the past few years, you’ve been exposed to a good number of odd subdivisions, particularly quintuplets. We almost exclusively start those advanced rhythms on the…
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
Metric Modulation
What’s commonly called “implied metric modulation” refers to the auditory illusion that takes place when you apply patterns typically played in one subdivision within another subdivision. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Rhythmic Design with Your Eyes
We’ve all felt stuck in a creative rut at one time or another. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Rhythmic Problem Solving
We can use a similar approach to isolate any type of rhythm or concept by creating our own systems specific to whatever we’re working on.
A New Perspective on Polyrhythms, Part 2
The easiest way to create a five-over-two polyrhythm is to play quintuplet single strokes across two different surfaces.
A New Perspective on Polyrhythms, Part 1
The easiest way to think about a two-over-five polyrhythm is that you have two equally spaced notes across five beats.
Septuplet Linear Patterns
The most fun thing about linear concepts is that almost any pattern you play can be modified in multiple ways.
The Hi-Hat Foot’s Voice
For a lot of drummers, though, the hi-hat foot can get neglected and might be the most difficult limb to work on.
Mobile Madness
When I first started exploring odd rhythms while coming up, the tools available to help were virtually nonexistent.
The Duality of 16th-Note Meters
Time signatures such as 15/16, 17/16, and 29/16 can bring out anxiety in drummers who aren’t familiar with them. The truth of the matter is that they’re only slightly different from quarter-or 8th-note meters, which are far more common.
Music As A Game
In his book Effortless Mastery, jazz pianist, composer, and author Kenny Werner wrote, “Don’t forget: Music is something we just made up. It doesn’t actually exist as anything but a game for us.”
