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January 2018 Issue – Volume 42 • Number 1

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Articles in January 2018

Drum Design Knowledge, Part 3: The Snare Bed

We need to be experts at our jobs, and knowing our tools is a part of that. I always put together my rig for tours or gigs, and then take suggestions from my tech on how to make the setup…

by Russ Miller
Nov 20, 2017

Live Vibes

Having somewhat recently moved to northern New Jersey, I’ve been enjoying the opportunity to check out some of the jazz clubs that have long defined New York City culture. Although some of the more prominent venues have moved from their…

by Willie Rose
Nov 30, 2017

The Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins

As any recording artist will tell you, part of the fun of heading into a project with a new producer is not knowing exactly what sonic pathways you’re going to find yourself exploring, or just what the final result is…

Story by Ken Micallef | Photos by Alex Solca
Nov 30, 2017

Ibeyi

These dynamic siblings derive much inspiration from their ancestry. But the direction of their art is undeniably full speed ahead.

by Robin Tolleson
Nov 30, 2017

Chad Sexton

Everything about 311 seems epic: their longstanding lineup, their semi-annual concert/celebration, their throngs of dedicated fans—not to mention the grooves of their founding drummer.

Story by Stephen Bidwell | Photo by Iron Mike Savoia
Nov 30, 2017
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The New Pornographers’ Joe Seiders

Hundreds of stories have appeared in MD over the years with drummers talking about the skills that helped them land a particular gig. This typically ranges from a knack for supporting songs with creative, unobtrusive playing to the ability to…

Story by Patrick Berkery | Photos by Alex Solca
Nov 30, 2017

Jon Epcar

Jon Epcar’s master plan didn’t involve drumming on Broadway. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Epcar went to a high school with a strong music program that included graduates like saxophonist Kamasi Washington. So the drummer got the bug and…

Story by Ilya Stemkovsky | Photos by John Fell
Nov 30, 2017

Chris Cohen

Chris Cohen describes himself as a member of the Portastudio generation. It’s a classification he’s coined to describe musicians, now in their late thirties and early forties, who cut their teeth in production with Tascam’s legendary Porta One tape machine.…

Story by Keith Carne | Photo by Dominick Mastrangelo
Nov 30, 2017

Jaimoe

The 2017 deaths of Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks and singer/keyboardist Gregg Allman hit the rock world pretty damn hard. But few could have felt the loss more than the man who was there from the very beginning.

Story by Robin Tolleson | Photo by Kirk West
Nov 30, 2017

Get Good: Listening

As a teenager in high school, I practiced classical piano for two hours a day. I could play really difficult music—as long as it was notated. I ran into trouble when it came to playing music with other people, because…

by Elizabeth Walsh
Nov 30, 2017

Linear Drumming Fundamentals

Defining the Concept

by Joel Rothman
Nov 30, 2017

Velocity and Energy Shifters

8th-Note Paradiddle Transitions

by Bill Bachman
Nov 30, 2017
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Hi-Hat Accents - Adding Melody to Your Grooves

https://vimeo.com/243360989 In this lesson we’ll embellish 16th-note grooves with hi-hat accents. In Exercises 1–4, accents are placed on the main hi-hat in the first measure, and in the second measure the right-handed accents are moved to the ride or an…

Article by Powell Randolph | Photo by Ken Howie
Nov 30, 2017

Rhythmic Conversions, Part 6: Funk Grooves and the Half-Note Triplet

In this lesson we’ll superimpose a new tempo over an existing pulse using a half-note triplet, and we’ll manipulate the subdivision to create funk grooves in the implied pulse. Be sure to practice these patterns with a metronome and work…

by Steve Fidyk
Nov 30, 2017

Accented Three-Note Groupings

Unique Variations and Phrases

by Rick Gratton
Nov 30, 2017

Create Your Own Success

Before, During, and After the “Big Gig”

by Jim Riley
Nov 30, 2017

SJC - Paramount Series Shell Pack

A professional-quality, affordably priced kit designed to exceed nearly any working drummer’s needs.

by Michael Dawson
Nov 30, 2017

Dream - Energy Series Additions and Dark Matter Eclipse Ride

Big, all-purpose plates and a clean, quick dual-finish ride.

by Michael Dawson
Nov 30, 2017

Focusrite - Scarlett 18i20 Audio Interface and OctoPre Dynamic Mic-Pre Expansion Unit

A clean and simple sixteen-channel recording setup that sounds great and won’t break the bank.

by Michael Dawson
Nov 30, 2017
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Promark - Classic 5A FireGrain Drumsticks

Fire-hardened for increased durability.

by Michael Dawson
Nov 30, 2017

One Beat Better - Timbre Jam

A practice pad or a woodblock? You decide!

by Brian Hill
Nov 30, 2017

Dweezil Zappa’s Ryan Brown

When he took over the drum chair with Dweezil Zappa more than four years ago, Southern California–based drummer Ryan Brown had to expand his setup in order to accommodate all of the sounds required in the extensive catalog that the…

Interview by John Martinez | Photos by Alex Solca
Nov 30, 2017

New Gear from Promark, ATV, Cymbomute, Sabian and drumdots!

Promark Matthew Strauss Signature Sticks This signature stick series is the first in the Promark catalog to use persimmon, a preferred wood type among concert percussionists for its strength, comfortable weight, and density. The .670"x17" General Concert Stick features a…

Modern Drummer
Nov 30, 2017

What Album Features Your Favorite Drum Tone?

Drummers have long lauded and attempted to duplicate certain distinct tones from records that span a variety of decades and genres. John Bonham’s powerful, booming tone with Led Zeppelin, Elvin Jones’ thunderous onrush with John Coltrane, and Stewart Copeland’s dry…

Modern Drummer
Nov 30, 2017

Malachi DeLorenzo on Langhorne Slim’s Lost at Last, Vol. 1

A drummer and producer talks about the subtle, refined, and contemplated figures and tones that bedeck an indie/folk singer-songwriter’s latest release.

Story by Willie Rose | Photo by Derek Brad
Nov 30, 2017

Paul Koehler With Silverstein

Hot off the release of a new record, the heavy hitter propels his tireless rock band around the world with a never-stop attitude.

Story by Willie Rose | Photo by Daniel Hadfield
Nov 30, 2017
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Virgil Howe Passes, Free Drum Lesson Lab Tents, Latin Percussion Joins Hurricane Relief Efforts, and More!

Virgil Howe, English Rock Drummer and Son of Yes Guitarist Steve Howe, Passes Virgil Howe, the drummer for the British rock band Little Barrie, passed away this past September 11 at the age of forty-one. Virgil, the youngest son of Yes…

Modern Drummer
Nov 30, 2017

Steve Jordan - 10 Things the Groove Master Has to Have on Tour

https://vimeo.com/243198181 No touring musician is exempt from the grueling demands of life on the road. Whether he’s playing sold-out arenas with John Mayer or Eric Clapton or hip clubs with Robert Cray or the Verbs, Steve Jordan has ten things…

Interview, Photo & Video by Miguel Monroy
Nov 30, 2017

Absolute Music

Bournemouth, England

Interview by Patrick Berkery
Nov 30, 2017

Matt Wilson, Stanton Moore, and Brad Dutz Take the Reins

RECORDINGS Entheos Dark Future Embracing a trend that’s become more popular lately, NAVENE KOPERWEIS chose to forgo sample enhancement and heavy quantization on his band’s second full-length release in as many years. Ravenously awaited by Entheos’s quickly expanding fan base,…

Modern Drummer
Nov 30, 2017

“A Little Better All the Time”

This month’s featured kit comes to us from Edward McCarthy of West Springfield, Massachusetts, who recently purchased this vintage 1970s Ludwig set. McCarthy explains that the drums, which were originally covered in a wine-red wrap, had seen better days. But…

Modern Drummer
Nov 30, 2017

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