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.
Jazz Drummer's Workshop - The Music of the Drums - Part 1
Most of the questions I get from drummers concern "technical" problems. How to develop quicker hands; more independence and/or coordination. Technique is important, but it is not the most important part of playing music. Having a concept, playing with feeling,…
Rock Perspectives - Converting Those Old Rhythms, Part 1
One of the most basic rhythms in rock. In this study, the focus is on: TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Double Play: David Peters, Bobby Campo of Le Roux
While the plight of the drummer is strenuous enough in Los Angeles and New York, it is almost impenetrable for those living in various other parts of the country, which is most often the case. While the opportunities are surely…
Gil Moore: The Drums of Triumph
As drummer with the rock band Triumph. Gil Moore is conscientious about his art, stating that in order to expand technically, it is most beneficial to experiment with a diversity of musical styles. Moore is also very attentive to his…
Famoudou Don Moye: Drawing on Tradition
The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) is an organization that was formed in Chicago by a group of African-Americans led by Muhal Richard Abrams. The organization was designed as an alternative to the traditional music business institutions…
Hal Blaine
To chronicle the career of Hal Blaine is an almost awesome task. The office walls of his Hollywood Hills home are adorned with gold records that span the last two decades of music, such memorabilia as a mounted "thank you"…
Jazz Drummer's Workshop - Bass Drum Technique
The bass drum foot should be developed with the same technical/musical objectives as the hands: control of tempo, dynamics, and syncopation. A simple approach to these objectives is to relate bass drum technique to hand technique. TO READ THE FULL…
Show And Studio - A Conductor-Arranger Talks to Drummers
"It sure as hell would help if drummers would listen to the entire orchestra, rather than just concern themselves with their own immediate surroundings." The man speaking is Nick Perito, conductor/arranger for Perry Como, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Ferrante…
Rudimental Symposium - A Wake-up for Drum Sections
You have probably heard your band director say to the brass and woodwind players, "Let's play that chorale once more. Listen to your tone. Practice warming-up every day." Band directors spend a lot of time with warm-ups for wind players,…
Concepts - Teachers, Studying and Learning
There are many opinions and points of view (pro and con) about studying with a private drum teacher. Drummers who have never taken a lesson frequently criticize drum teachers. Drum teachers criticize each other, sometimes privately, sometimes publicly. Young drummers…
Driver's Seat - Reading Charts
Over the years, I've seen too many aspiring big band drummers who simply do not take the time needed to fully develop their reading ability. Unfortunately, I've heard many competent young players become very mediocre drummers when presented with a…
Rock Perspectives - Tom-Toms
In the basic rock concept, tom-toms are traditionally used only in fills and solos. This was expanded a few years ago with the release of Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" which used a tom-tom on beats 2…
John Bonham In Retrospect
Without doubt, the dominating force in heavy metal rock during the entire decade of the 1970's was Led Zeppelin. John Bonham led the way with his wildly enthusiastic style, both on stage and in the studio. His syncopated but rock…
In The Studio-On The Road with RICK MAROTTA
Rick Marotta was born January 7, 1948 in New Rochelle, New York. And, apparently, he was also horn to play drums. For without any formal training, Marotta's natural "feel" for the instrument has made him one of the world's most…
