Marc Atkinson

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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Billy Cobham "Quadrant 4" from the Billy Cobham recording Spectrum

Let’s rewind to October 3rd, 1973—the day Spectrum by the legendary Billy Cobham hit the world. Recorded in just three days, the album captures a raw, live energy, with most tracks laid down in only one or two takes. That urgency and…

Transcription by Marc Atkinson
Jul 1, 2025

Earth, Wind & Fire's "Getaway" from the recording Spirit, Fred White, Drummer

This month’s transcription is a tribute to the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire. The track “Getaway” appears on the band’s seventh studio album “Spirit,” released in 1976. Among the group’s lineup was drummer Fred White—one of three brothers in the…

Transcription by Marc Atkinson
Jun 1, 2025

Primus "Eleven" from Sailing the Seas of Cheese, drummer Tim Alexander

This month’s transcription honors Primus and their “old” drummer Tim Alexander, with the Primus track “Eleven” from their album Sailing the Seas of Cheese. As the title implies, the song is based in an 11-beat groove. To make the rhythm easier to read…

Transcription by Marc Atkinson
May 1, 2025

Tool "Chocolate Chip Trip," from Fear Inoculum, drummer Danny Carey

This month’s transcription highlights the incredible drumming of Tool’s Danny Carey. The song “Chocolate Chip Trip,” from their 2019 album Fear Inoculum, serves in part as a tribute to the legendary Billy Cobham. “Chocolate Chip Trip” mirrors the opening of Cobham’s Stratus from…

Transcription by Marc Atkinson
Apr 1, 2025

The Brecker Brothers "Some Skunk Funk," Heavy Metal Bebop, drummer Terry Bozzio

This month’s transcription comes from The Brecker Brothers’ classic 1978 recording Heavy Metal Bebop, a legendary live date from My Father’s Place in Roslyn, Long Island, New York. In my opinion, this electrifying performance of Some Skunk Funk comes from one of the strongest…

Transcription by Marc Atkinson
Mar 1, 2025
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Boston's "Foreplay/Long Time" drummer Sib Hashian

Written in 1969 by Tom Scholz, “Foreplay/Long Time” was the first song recorded by Boston. Initially recorded with the band’s original drummer, Jim Masdea, the studio insisted on replacing him, leading Tom to recruit Sib Hashian. For the recording, Sib was tasked…

Transcription by Marc Atkinson
Feb 1, 2025

Don Grolnick's "Nothing Personal," from Michael Brecker S/T, Jack DeJohnette drums.

The first transcription of 2025 highlights the legendary Jack DeJohnette, taken from Michael Brecker’s debut solo album. The track, “Nothing Personal,” exemplifies DeJohnette’s status as one of the greatest jazz drummers of all time. Jack’s drumming is both innovative and…

Transcription by Marc Atkinson
Jan 1, 2025

Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” drummer, Bill Ward

This month, in honor of the legendary Bill Ward, I’ve transcribed the classic song “War Pigs” from Black Sabbath’s iconic second album, Paranoid. This song showcases Ward as a true pioneer of metal drumming. From beginning to end, it’s a powerhouse…

Transcription by Marc Atkinson
Dec 1, 2024

Led Zeppelin “Hots On For Nowhere” drummer John Bonham

This month, we take a step back in time to spotlight one of the all-time great drummers, John Bonham. What more can be said about him that hasn’t already been covered? Our song of choice is “Hots On for Nowhere”…

Transcription by Marc Atkinson
Nov 1, 2024

Dennis Chambers’ solo from John Scofield’s “Pick Hits”

Dennis Chambers’ solo on “Pick Hits” from the live recording of the same name is the “soup du jour” this month. I consider Dennis to be on the Mount Rushmore of drummers—a rare group who revolutionized how the rest of…

By Marc Atkinson
Oct 1, 2024

Green Day’s “Before The Lobotomy” drummer Tre Cool

“Before the Lobotomy,” the fifth track on Green Day’s 21st Century Breakdown, showcases the talent of brilliant punk drummer Tré Cool (Frank Edwin Wright III.) We chose this track because of its simple, yet powerful, odd time signature groove that…

Transcription by Marc Atkinson
Sep 1, 2024

Slipknot’s “Sulfur,” drummer, Joey Jordison

This month, we dive into the world of Slipknot with their high-energy track, “Sulfur.” Get ready to move fast because this one is a real foot burner! “Sulfur” comes from their album All Hope Is Gone. Written by guitarist Jim…

Transcription by Marc Atkinson
Aug 1, 2024
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TONY WILLIAMS : FRED

Few musicians reach such iconic status that their first name alone—Billy, Vinnie, Dennis—is enough to identify them. Tony Williams, one of the earliest drummers to achieve this, stands out among them. His influence on drumming is profound, impacting not only…

Transcription by Marc Atkinson
Jul 1, 2024

James Brown: The Funky Drummer, Clyde Stubblefield Transcription by Marc Atkinson

When Tower of Power asked, “What is Hip?” Clyde Stubblefield answered! Grooves don’t get much hipper than this. Recorded in 1969, released in 1970, and again on CD in 1986, “The Funky Drummer” from the album In The Jungle Groove…

Marc Atkinson
Jun 1, 2024
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