August 2025 – Volume 49 • Number 08
On 01st Aug 2025
Articles in August 2025
Drums is Life, Life is Drums.
As a musician and a drummer, I feel that drumming (and music) can help improve the world. Yes, I truly believe that!!! I believe that if more people were taught to enjoy music (and play drums) the world would be…
Small But Mighty
This month’s Kit of the Month comes to us from Marco Segoviano. His drums are Pearl Midtown Series with a 10” rack tom and a 13” floor tom. His bass drum is 16” and his snare is a Mapex MPX…
Recognizing Your Muse
I’ve been keeping notes regarding this very column and what I should write about for my readers. Out of the myriad of disparate thoughts I jotted down, a common theme seems to be revealing itself to me, let’s call it,…
New products from Roland, Waves, LP, and Gon Bops
The Roland Mood Pan Roland has introduced the Mood Pan, a unique electronic hand percussion instrument that encourages anyone to discover the restorative power of music. Inspired by acoustic handpans, Mood Pan features tranquil tones and a simple design requiring no…
Rustic Percussion's Padauk Temple Blocks: A True Passion For Quality
Rustic Percussion was founded in 2018 by Percussionist-Drummer, Ryan Langford, in an effort to make high quality, craftsmanship worthy, percussion instruments. As well as playing these instruments on the job, Ryan is truly a wood craftsman! Rustic Percussion’s various instruments…
Klaw Drum Anchor: Slip It, Grip It, Rip It!
Adam Stone of Klaw sent Modern Drummer a Klaw kick drum anchor, to try out. Klaw was designed out of necessity to help keep creeping kick drums from slipping away during play. As per Adam: “The days of cinder blocks…
Morgenstein Tool - Wing Thing
Among the many dilemmas that a drummer or drum tech faces during the chaos of playing live shows, few are as maddening as the dreaded stubborn wing nut. Whether too tight, too loose, out of reach, or just plain evil,…
Brendan Buckley, Not Just Playing Patterns with Shakira
Brendan Buckley is one of those drummers who has created a long career by playing with big name artists around the world, and lesser name artists regionally, yet you might not even know his name. You are just as likely…
Joe Chambers: A Life of Cross Rhythms
Drummer, vibraphonist, composer, bandleader, educator… Joe Chambers has done it all in his long career as a musician. Now he is talking about all of it in his new book Cross Rhythms: An Introspective into the Life and Musicality of…
Bringing the Groove Home to Nashville
When Yamaha Drums throws a party, it’s not just another industry showcase. It’s a celebration of the very heart of drumming. On July 19, 2025, Yamaha hosted its second annual “A Night in the Pocket” event. An unforgettable evening that…
Yes, "Heart of the Sunrise," from the recording Fragile, drummer Bill Bruford
This month’s transcription comes from the classic 1971 Yes album Fragile. Featuring the legendary Bill Bruford, “Heart of the Sunrise” closes the album—and in my opinion, stands as one of the greatest Yes tracks ever recorded. Rhythmically it’s a fantastic…
Your Drumming PERSONA
“I pretended to be somebody I wanted to be until finally I became that person. Or he became me.” Cary Grant What core traits and attributes do you choose to bring to the kit? Your drumming persona takes shape the…
Progressive Drumming Essentials: Switching Gears with Double Bass Drums
Progressive Drumming Essentials is a collection of articles originally written for Modern Drummer magazine. They are exactly what the title says, PROGRESSIVE drumming essentials. This series of articles, and the book that contains them all, represent a great deal of…
Master Studies II: Triplet Variations
As a follow-up to Joe Morello’s legendary Master Studies book, he released Master Studies II in 2006. Joe was a masterful teacher and helped many great drummers with their musicality, technique, and touch. Joe was also masterful at creating exercises,…
The New Breed: 39 Systems Part 2
Gary Chester’s groundbreaking book The New Breed is legendary. The book, and Gary’s teaching methods are deeply intertwined, it is a lifelong commitment of dedication, study, and development. Gary Chester’s Systems, Reading Exercises, Advanced Systems, Advanced Reading Exercises, Composite Systems,…
Rhythm Vocabulary Development Series Part 5: Playing in 7/8
In our last installment, we explored 5/8—how asymmetrical subdivisions and maximizing intentional “space” can unlock phrasing that is both musical and conversational. Now let’s push further into odd-time territory with 7/8. 7/8 might seem even more challenging at first. But…
Alex Van Halen Signature Snares
It’s difficult to describe the massive influence that Alex Van Halen had on generations of drummers. His explosive energy, thunderous double bass technique, and unique snare sound combined with his blazing speed and showmanship helped redefine the drummer’s role in…
Out Now August 2025
Modern Drummer is spotlighting new recordings that have the drums at the center of their sound. These recordings might be drummer-led, or just include high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performances from the drummer and/or musicians in the band. This…
Mike McDermott's Joan Jett Touring Kit
Drums: SJC Custom M5 Maple Shells Black Stain/Black Hardware – 6.5x12 Rack Tom, 12x14 and 14x16 Floor Toms, 14x22 Kick Drum. Snares: CDC Custom 7x14 Maple, Modern Classic 7x14 Maple, Dark Horse Percussion 8x14 Wood Hoop Ballad Snare (Nickname “Santa’s lil’ Helper”).…
