modern drummer
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.
April-May, 1980 — Neil Peart
I think of myself still as a student. I’m still learning. We’re all just beginners. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE 15% Digital Monthly Magazine 47 Years of Archives (500+ Issues)…
Jazz Drummer's Workshop - Relative Tempo
Wind instrumentalists work on relative pitch by listening to intervals (the distance between two notes) over and over again, in an effort to develop the ability to play with good intonation. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access…
Sonny Greer: The Elder Statesman Of Jazz
William "Sonny" Greer was born in Long Branch, New Jersey on December 13, 1903. "I wasn't no rich kid." He remembers, "but I was always comfortable. We were a happy family. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access…
Stickings—Part 1
Due to the many changes that have taken place in contemporary music over the last 20-30 years, it seems appropriate to re examine "stickings," to develop a more comprehensive and useful approach to this area of a percussionist's early training.…
Ed Blackwell — "Bemsha Swing"
Bemsha Swing TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE 15% Digital Monthly Magazine 47 Years of Archives (500+ Issues) 40+ Drum Channel Subscribe Now All Access (Print + Digital) USA $14.99 /month…
Shelly Manne
Many of the things that drummers take for granted today would never have come about if someone hadn't dared to try it first; if some pioneer hadn't crossed over into unexplored territory; if some drummer hadn't found a new way…
Tommy Aldridge: Business Wise
Not a week would go by without letters asking, "When are you guys going to interview Tommy Aldridge?" I tracked Tommy down at his home in Texas and he was extremely open and honest. This interview was completed shortly before…
Jim Chapin - Father of Independence
Jim Chapin Father of Independence by Rick Mattingly The Chapin Book. Sooner or later every serious drummer has to master it. Although the book was once considered impossible to play, it is now accepted as the basic text for independent…
A Tribute to Billy Gladstone
To those unfamiliar with the name, suffice it to say that Billy Gladstone was one of the percussion world's most legendary figures. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE 15% Digital Monthly…
Nazareth's Darrell Sweet
Being a member of a group affords a musician a certain amount of security, but it also demands a sacrifice. The security comes from the fact that the individual does not have to face the world alone. TO READ THE…
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…
Drum Soloist - Jo Jones -"Adlib"
This solo was transcribed from the album entitled, The Main Man—Jo Jones, recorded in November 1976, and released on the Pablo label. The solo is heard toward the end of "Adlib" which appears on side 1, cut 3. TO READ…
Teacher's Forum - Drumset Applications of The Reed Syncopation
This article is a compilation of exercises by Mr. Breithaupt and two of his advanced students, Karl Ott and Peter Retzlaff. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE 15% Digital Monthly Magazine…
Concepts - Developing Good Time
Many drummers are capable of playing good time even though they may not know exactly how they developed this ability. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE 15% Digital Monthly Magazine 47…
Strictly Technique - Bass Drum Control
When I wrote Bass Drum Control in 1964, it was at the request of drummers who wanted exercises to practice for hands and bass drum. TO READ THE FULL STORY: LOG IN Digital Access $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year SAVE…