Mark Griffith
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.
Bruce Gust: Broaden Your Base
If you’re an NHL hockey fan, you may have heard about the “Bongo Anthem.” It is a unique version of the National Anthem sung by Bruce Gust, a nine-year veteran of the USMC and a former national recording artist. While…
Paulina Villarreal of The Warning
Since forming in 2013, The Warning have been working and rocking non-stop. Their latest album Keep Me Fed drew critical acclaim and attention. The Warning draws strength and power from a lifetime of sisterhood and music. The Mexico-born sister trio—Daniela…
Lucky Sevens
In this month’s educational column’s you might see a theme: Sevens (or septuplets.) But why sevens? First, playing seven equally spaced notes within a beat has nothing to do with playing in 7/4 or 7/8. Sevens are a natural rhythmic…
Chad Sexton: The Musical Unity of 311
In 35 years as the drummer for 311, Chad Sexton and 311 have recorded 14 studio records, two live records, four EP’s, and four DVD’s. Several of their recordings have resulted in platinum and gold records and numerous hit tunes,…
It Takes a Village to Create a Drummer
Think back to when and how you started drumming? Many of us grew up listening to the radio, hearing recordings, seeing drums on TV, watching MTV, attending concerts, and eventually going to drum clinics, watching drum videos, and going down…
Raphaël Pannier: Breaking Down Borders
Last year, Raphaël Pannier released his recording Live in Saint Louis, Senegal. When I first listened to it, I liked it because it was something new, the combination of a jazz quartet and an African Sabar drumming group was something…
Tambour Major Khadim Niang: Sabar and Homage to Doudou N’Diaye Rose
As drummers we are always hearing about our connection to Africa, and how the roots of what we do as drummers ultimately leads back to Africa. The African connection to drumming has been emphasized by popular drummers from Art Blakey…
Josh Freese Gives Us, Just A Minute.
A few years ago, Josh Freese was thrown in the spotlight by joining the Foo Fighters. Then he got even more attention when he was let go by the Foo Fighters. But Josh Freese is so much more than that!…
Why Do You Play Drums?
A student recently asked me why I play drums. In my 45 years of playing drums and 25 years of teaching, I have been asked a lot of difficult questions. However, this answer seemed simple. Whenever I heard drumming as…
John Otto: Feeling Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
There aren’t a lot of drummers who bring aspects of rap and hip hop, rock and metal, and strong doses of jazz and swing to their drumming, but John Otto does. His time feel is the special sauce that makes…
The Social Groove of Change
Playing and creating music is a social activity. Both of this month’s feature interviews state the importance of playing music with people. It’s an important step in becoming a musician (not “just” a drummer.) Whether you are making beats with…
A Year of Modern Drummer’s Metal Sticks Podcast
New in 2025, Modern Drummer debuted a new podcast called Metal Sticks, hosted by Modern Drummer Publisher and CEO David Frangioni and legendary drummer Nicko McBrain, who recently retired from 42 years with Iron Maiden. The idea for the podcast…
2025 Modern Drummer Hall of Fame Inductee: Jim Keltner
During this Christmas season, when you are being bombarded by Christmas music, listen for Michael Buble’s version of “All I Want for Christmas” and bask in the groove of Modern Drummer 2025 Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Keltner. That is…
Thanks to Jack and Chick: One of the Best Days of My Life
In 2009, I interviewed Jack DeJohnette for the Percussive Notes and Modern Drummer. Jack and I met in the afternoon before a trio concert he was playing with Chick Corea and Bobby McFerrin. I arrived to find Jack’s black Sonor…
