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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.

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Style and Analysis: U2's Larry Mullen

Larry Mullen plays drums with the very popular three-piece band, U2. Larry and bassist Adam Clayton lay down a solid foundation for the guitar. U2 is a prime example of a drummer and bass player working together as a unit.…

by Michael Bettine
May 14, 2018

Introduction to Polyrhythms

How to Play Odd Groupings, Part 1

by Aaron Edgar
Apr 25, 2018

Burning on Double Bass — Basic Hand/Foot Patterns

There are no shortcuts in gaining control in drumming. Just as it takes time to develop speed and accuracy with your hands, the same applies to your double bass playing. The important things are to be focused in your practice…

by Todd “Vinny” Vinciguerra
Mar 29, 2018

How to Play Odd Time Signatures

Part 1: 16th-Note Meters

by Aaron Edgar
Mar 28, 2018

Organic Odd-Time Patterns

A Smooth Method for Uncommon Phrases

by Aaron Edgar
Feb 28, 2018
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Seven-Over-Three Polyrhythms

Exploring the Space Between an Odd Grouping

by Aaron Edgar
Jan 31, 2018

Double Bass Workout

Part 6: Paradiddle Patterns For the final lesson in this series we’re going to have some fun with paradiddles, double paradiddles, and paradiddle variations over 16th notes, 16th-note triplets, and 32nd notes. Remember to play to a metronome or click…

by Todd Vinciguerra
Jan 24, 2018

The Art of Soloing

I may as well admit the obvious: I am, indeed, a practitioner and partisan of that much maligned and oft-persecuted musical form, that thudding, plodding, torment of tedium, that dazzling display of passion and virtuosity—the drum solo. Much contempt has…

by Neil Peart
Jan 23, 2018

A Beat Study

The following musical examples comprise what I term a “beat study.” It is by no means exhaustive (every possible variation), but simply presents related time feels. Bar 1 is the pattern on which all the others are based. The focus…

by David Garibaldi
Jan 18, 2018

Exploring Five-Over-Three

Mastering a Difficult Grouping, Step by Step

by Aaron Edgar
Dec 28, 2017

Accented Three-Note Groupings

Unique Variations and Phrases

by Rick Gratton
Nov 30, 2017

The Military Sound

The application of rudimental/military type patterns to the drumset has added another dimension to contemporary music. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN

by David Garibaldi
Nov 21, 2017
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Live Drum Soloing

Getting Started   In this article we’ll give some insight into how to conceive, construct, and execute a drum solo in a live rock context. For those who’ve never performed a solo, it can be a very scary idea. But…

by Paul Wandtke
Nov 6, 2017

The Half-Time Shuffle

Variations on One of Drumming’s Slinkiest Grooves The half-time shuffle is a signature beat for some of the most legendary drummers in history. Guys like Bernard Purdie, John Bonham, and Jeff Porcaro are all considered masters of this feel. Let’s…

by Dave Beyer
Nov 1, 2017
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