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.
John Bonham In Retrospect
Without doubt, the dominating force in heavy metal rock during the entire decade of the 1970's was Led Zeppelin. John Bonham led the way with his wildly enthusiastic style, both on stage and in the studio. His syncopated but rock…
Rock Perspectives - Advanced Overlapping Phrases
I’ve always been inspired by phrasing that seems to dance its way around the pulse. Bands such as Meshuggah apply this effect. You can bob your head in quarter notes and feel their phrases starting on different parts of the…
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…
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…
Rock Perspectives - Playing Rock Tambourine
Although there are many different types of tambourines they can be basically broken down into two groups, 1) those with heads, 2) those without. The most widely used tambourine in the pop field is the headless, or rock, tambourine. TO…
Rock Perspectives: A Study In Styles
The rock drumming scene has progressed a great deal since the fifties. Those of us who played through that era remember the monotonous eighths and afterbeats, and those relentless right hand triplets. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS…
Rock Perspectives: Ride Rhythm Independence
Traditionally, drummers have used the bass and snare drum to execute independent yet interacting rhythms. The ride rhythm, whether played on the ride cymbal or hi-hat, usually was a repetitive steady rhythm, filling in holes and making everything jell. TO…
Diamonds in the Ruff, Part 2: The Sexy Four-Stroke
Welcome to part two of our miniseries on the ruff. I consider the three-stroke ruff to be the workingman’s rudiment. The four-stroke is much sexier, but it’s not easy to master. And it takes a certain amount of precision, which…
Rock Perspectives - Coordination Development
How many of you like a challenge? In this Rock Perspectives series, I'm going to challenge not only your ability to play, but your ability to think as well. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Rock Perspectives - Theme And Variations
People ask me how I keep my ideas flowing and how I keep from getting stale and bored. This is a problem many drummers seem to have in common; a lack of ideas or concepts to use in their everyday…
Rock Perspectives Rock 'N' Time
The basic role of the drummer has always been that of a timekeeper. Today's music is no exception. I believe that basic role has become clouded in the minds of many due to the high technical level contemporary music has…
Rock Perspectives - Developing Hand/Foot Coordination
For a drummer, one of the most important areas of study and consideration is developing hand and foot coordination. Frequently, I am asked how I develop independence. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Rock Perspectives: It’s an Open and Shut Case
When playing consecutive sixteenth notes on the H.H., with eighth note and/or sixteenth note "swishes" in the pattern, the tendency upon closing the H.H. (at the end of the swish) with the L.F., is to double that note with the…
Rock Perspectives: More Rock Studies
In these examples, you'll notice a distinct difference in the sound of the hi-hat being closed with the foot as opposed to striking it with the stick. These two distinct sounds used with accented and unaccented snare drum/bass drum strokes…
