Joe Morello

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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Accent Studies with Eighth Notes

This section combines alternate stickings with one handed stickings, while stressing accents. It is essential to maintain only two dynamic levels in each exercise: the accented level and the unaccented level. Also be sure to keep an even sound when…

Joe Morello
Apr 1, 2024

Triplets with Flams

These exercises should be played as written, on a snare drum or practice pad, without accenting the flams. After playing these at a medium dynamic, practice them at various dynamic levels, from very soft to very loud. You should also…

Joe Morello
Mar 1, 2024

Endurance Exercise with Fill-Ins

Joe Morello combined the idea of Endurance Studies with his Fill-In studies in his book Master Studies. These are not “drum fills,” instead they are endurance exercises built on the idea of filling in between the primary rhythm of the…

Joe Morello
Jan 31, 2024

Groups of Two with Fill-ins

Joe Morello advanced the idea of endurance studies with his Fill-In studies included in his book Master Studies. These are not “drum fills,” instead they are endurance exercises built on the idea of filling in between the primary rhythms of…

Joe Morello
Dec 31, 2023

Threes and Fours with Fill-Ins

Joe Morello advanced the idea of endurance studies with his Fill-In studies included in his book Master Studies. These are not “drum fills,” instead they are endurance exercises built on the idea of filling-in between the primary rhythms of the…

By Joe Morello
Dec 1, 2023
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Fill-In Studies Groups of Four Fill-ins

Joe Morello advanced the idea of endurance exercises with his Fill-In Studies included in his book Master Studies. These are not “drum fills,” instead they are endurance exercises built on the idea of filling in between the primary rhythm of…

By Joe Morello
Nov 1, 2023

Fill-In Studies

In previous issues of Modern Drummer, we have printed the first three parts of the “Stone Killer.” Joe advanced the idea of those endurance exercises with his Fill-In Studies These are not “drum fills,” instead they are endurance exercises built…

By Joe Morello
Oct 1, 2023

Triplets with Flams

In previous months we have learned about an often-ignored sound of drumming called Flat Flams. Then we learned about Joe Morello’s creative way of combining eighth notes with Flams.This month we will continue with a study of playing triplets with…

By Joe Morello
Jul 31, 2023

Joe Morello’s Maple Ludwigs

This Ludwig five-piece sliver sparkle maple drum kit (14×22, 9×13, 16×16, 16×18, and 5.5×14 Hammered Bronze Snare) was owned and played by Joe Morello for many years. David Frangioni studied with Joe in the 80’s and they became very close.…

Modern Drummer
Jul 31, 2023

Flam Studies

In all of our learning, we (hopefully) concentrate of the creative use (and sound) of flams. However, in our desire to play the “perfect” open and fat flam sound, we often ignore the (also unique) sound of “flat flams.” These…

By Joe Morello
Apr 30, 2023

The Stone Killer Part 3

Last month we included the second part of Joe Morello’s “Stone Killer” that was inspired by George Lawrence Stone’s “Stone Killer” exercise. These exercises originally appeared in Joe Morello’s book Master Studies. Originally George only wrote out the first four…

By Joe Morello
Mar 31, 2023

The Stone Killer Part 2

In the September 2022 issue of Modern Drummer, we reprinted Joe Morello’s version of George Lawrence Stone’s amazing exercise The Stone Killer Part 1. There are actually three parts to this legendary speed and endurance workout. This month we will…

By Joe Morello
Feb 28, 2023
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Exercises for the Development of Control and Technique

This month we continue to feature the wonderful exercises from Joe Morello’s book Master Studies. While some teachers talk about speed and chops, Joe Morello focused on control and technique. Proper technique and controlling your hands, movements, and the sticks…

By Joe Morello
Jan 31, 2023

Master Studies

In Modern Drummer’s ongoing salute to Joe Morello’s legendary book Master Studies and his teachings, this month we present Joe Morello’s Table of Time, and his advice on Using the Metronome. Table of Time This will help your development of…

by Joe Morello
Jan 1, 2023
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