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.
Rock Perspectives - Playing Simple
The following material is a presentation of some simple ideas I've developed for use with my private students.
Quintuplet Madness - Superimposing Odd Groupings
In this article we’ll play quintuplets within the space of three 16th notes. This concept can create some unique rhythmic statements, such as subtle hi-hat embellishments or twisted double-bass grooves. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Rock Perspectives - Three Beats
The following two examples are simple hand/foot patterns that can be put together as one. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Future Sounds
Rock drumming has a tendency toward being colorless at times. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
A New Perspective - Displacing Three-Over-Four Polyrhythms
A three-over-four polyrhythm is comprised of sets of three equally spaced notes and four equally spaced notes that occupy the same timeframe. Typically both sides of the polyrhythm start together on the same note and utilize the same subdivision. If…
Rock Perspectives - "Playing Rock Music Is Not Dumb"
The following material is similar to the Rock Perspectives column regarding Swiss Army Triplets (July 1981). It's different enough to present additional technical challenges. These particular exercises can be of special benefit to the right foot (bass drum) because of…
Rock Perspectives - Modular Rock
Modular Rock TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Septuplet Permutations - Diving Deep Into an Odd Subdivision
I find that the best way to become proficient with a new subdivision is to isolate each partial within the grouping and then combine the partial with all of the other available notes in the subdivision. Using triplets as an…
Rock Perspectives - A Practical Application of Swiss Army Triplets
The Swiss Army triplet was shown to me several years ago by Keith Knudsen of The Doobie Brothers.
Rock Perspectives - Concept for Two Drum Sets
The year following my high school graduation, one of the big favorites was James Brown and the Famous Flames. At least once a year he came to the San Francisco Bay Area and played all the big auditoriums.
Septuplet Fives - Polyrhythmic Permutation
Seven over five can be a challenging polyrhythm to master. We’ll start building this rhythm by playing every fifth septuplet partial in a measure of 5/4. It can take plenty of dedicated practice to master this figure, especially when we…
