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.
CATCHING UP WITH…Carl Allen
The jazz great has spent the year in constant motion, spearheading multiple ensembles, including one holding special interest for drummers. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
CATCHING UP WITH…Jimmie Fadden
Fifty years ago he and guitarist Jeff Hanna founded a jug band to avoid the straight life. Today the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s beautifully twisted tale continues unabated. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Twenty One Pilots’ Josh Dun
Phoning in on a day off between dates in Japan, the drummer opens up about his journey to success, what it takes to stay there, and the pressures of holding down the throne in one of the most popular acts…
The History of the Drummer Boy
Musicians have played an important role on the battlefield for centuries. Fifes, bagpipes, and trumpets have been used to instruct friends and intimidate foes. And since at least as long ago as the days of ancient Babylon, the beating of…
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT Joe Butler
The Lovin’ Spoonful burned brighter than most bands in the ’60s—perhaps too bright for its own good. But the singing drummer who made a habit of beating the odds, in an era when studio cats regularly ghost-drummed on major productions,…
SETTING SIGHTS: Raphael Mura
When the leader of the lauded French post-punk trio Underground Railroad joined the rising neo-psych band Purson, he honed his drumming approach by leaning on indie-rock influences and investigating prog pioneers. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
Jazz Drummer’s Workshop - Rhythmic Conversions
In this lesson, we’ll focus on variations of the converted triplet phrases from Part 1 . When practicing new material, I find it beneficial to explore as many different combinations as possible. By doing so, I’m more apt to apply…
Product Close-Up - ddrum Reflex Rally Sport Drumset
One of the sister companies to Tampa-based ddrum is Dean guitars, and one of the woods that Dean uses for electric guitar bodies is alder. Alder is considered a semi-hard wood and ranks just above pine and poplar. TO READ…
Product Close-Up - Sabian HH Vanguard Series Cymbals
Canadian cymbal maker Sabian has spent the past couple years revisiting its roots in an effort to bring back some of the classic handcrafted approaches the company employed in its early days in the 1980s. First was the raw and…
Product Close-Up - Love Custom Drums
Love Custom Drums founder Buddy “Love” McRoy spent years modifying his own instruments, whether that involved cutting new bearing edges or applying new finishes. But he didn’t start building drums from scratch until after being frustrated with the inability to…
Product Close-Up - Tama Superstar Classic Drumset
Tama’s Superstar Classic series feature well-crafted, versatile drums that make for a great all-around kit at an affordable price point. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Product Close-Up - Zildjian S Family Cymbals
After two years of research and development, Zildjian has released a new series of B12 (12% tin and 88% copper) cymbals, the S Family, to replace its mid-level ZHT line. While retaining the bright, explosive tonal qualities and competitive price…
Product Close-Up - Promark ActiveGrip Forward 5A Drumsticks
Promark experimented with its ActiveGrip coating on Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche’s signature Active Wave 570 stick, which was released in the summer of 2015. This year the company is expanding the ActiveGrip coating—to be offered in black—to some of its…
Snarky Puppy’s Holy Trinity
Snarky Puppy’s Holy Trinity Robert “Sput” Searight, Jason “JT” Thomas, Larnell Lewis Photos by Stella K. For Culcha Vulcha, Snarky Puppy’s eleventh album and first studio effort in close to a decade, bandleader, bassist, and primary composer Michael League recruited…