Rock Perspectives
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.
Rock Perspectives - A Practical Application of Swiss Army Triplets
The Swiss Army triplet was shown to me several years ago by Keith Knudsen of The Doobie Brothers.
Rock Perspectives - Concept for Two Drum Sets
The year following my high school graduation, one of the big favorites was James Brown and the Famous Flames. At least once a year he came to the San Francisco Bay Area and played all the big auditoriums.
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
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…
Rock Perspectives - Advanced Overlapping Phrases
I’ve always been inspired by phrasing that seems to dance its way around the pulse. Bands such as Meshuggah apply this effect. You can bob your head in quarter notes and feel their phrases starting on different parts of the…
Rock Perspectives
Rock is now over twenty years old and so are the techniques of rock drumming. Years ago, the simplicity of rock was looked down upon by the astute musician. Today, rock has become extremely complex and progressive. TO READ THE…
Diamonds in the Ruff - Part 1: The Mighty Three-Stroke
The first thing I learned when I started taking drum lessons was the three-stroke ruff. I was shown a few ways of playing it, with different accents and stickings, but it wasn’t until I heard Cream drummer Ginger Baker play…
Rock Perspectives - Playing Rock Tambourine
Although there are many different types of tambourines they can be basically broken down into two groups, 1) those with heads, 2) those without. The most widely used tambourine in the pop field is the headless, or rock, tambourine. TO…
Rock Perspectives: A Study In Styles
The rock drumming scene has progressed a great deal since the fifties. Those of us who played through that era remember the monotonous eighths and afterbeats, and those relentless right hand triplets. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS…
Rock Perspectives: Ride Rhythm Independence
Traditionally, drummers have used the bass and snare drum to execute independent yet interacting rhythms. The ride rhythm, whether played on the ride cymbal or hi-hat, usually was a repetitive steady rhythm, filling in holes and making everything jell. TO…
Rock Perspectives - Coordination Development
How many of you like a challenge? In this Rock Perspectives series, I'm going to challenge not only your ability to play, but your ability to think as well. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Rock Perspectives - Theme And Variations
People ask me how I keep my ideas flowing and how I keep from getting stale and bored. This is a problem many drummers seem to have in common; a lack of ideas or concepts to use in their everyday…
Rock Perspectives - Developing Hand/Foot Coordination
For a drummer, one of the most important areas of study and consideration is developing hand and foot coordination. Frequently, I am asked how I develop independence. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Rock Perspectives: It’s an Open and Shut Case
When playing consecutive sixteenth notes on the H.H., with eighth note and/or sixteenth note "swishes" in the pattern, the tendency upon closing the H.H. (at the end of the swish) with the L.F., is to double that note with the…
