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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.

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The ddrum NIO Percussion Pad

With its nine distinct red rubber pads and backlit LCD, it’s hard to miss the ddrum NIO Percussion Pad. It’s been on the market for a few years now and is one of the more popular entry-level percussion pads available.…

By Jason Mehler
Nov 1, 2024

NEW SABIAN CYMBALS Sabian 20” Dominator China, 22” Wide Lip China, 22” Tempest Ride, and 18” Rocktagon

As a fan and colleague of the late Dom Famularo, I was always impressed by his passion for drums and his ability to inspire others. Seeing him perform for the first time at a clinic back in 1995, I was…

By Jason Mehler
Nov 1, 2024

Mark Guiliana: A New Solo Record, Being in the Moment, and Playing with His Heroes

It’s just after 9am on a Wednesday morning and Mark Guiliana is brewing coffee at his home in east LA. He’s in-between tour dates with St. Vincent and a trip to NYC to play a week at the Village Vanguard…

By Charlie Weinmann
Nov 1, 2024

Derek Mixon Tone Chasing with Chris Stapleton

When I interviewed Russ Kunkel last year, I asked him what younger drummers he was checking out and impressed by. He didn’t hesitate, saying, “I think Derek Mixon is one of the best drummers out there, I think we have…

By Mark Griffith
Nov 1, 2024

Kenney Jones talks about Faces Live at the BBC

With all the new releases and reissues of special boxsets, it can be easy to miss one (or two or three.) When Rhino announced the release of Faces Live at the BBC: The Complete Concert & Session Recordings 1970-1973, Modern…

By Mark Griffith
Nov 1, 2024
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Bruno Esrubilsky The Rhythmic Glue Behind Mitski’s Ever-Evolving Sound

Bruno Esrubilsky’s journey with Mitski has been nothing short of seamless, both musically and personally. From the first time he connected with Mitski and longtime collaborator Patrick Hyland, Bruno felt he had found the right place, “The vibes were incredible…

By Danny “Ziggy” Laverde
Nov 1, 2024

Led Zeppelin “Hots On For Nowhere” drummer John Bonham

This month, we take a step back in time to spotlight one of the all-time great drummers, John Bonham. What more can be said about him that hasn’t already been covered? Our song of choice is “Hots On for Nowhere”…

Transcription by Marc Atkinson
Nov 1, 2024

January 2025 – Volume 49 • Number 01

TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN

Modern Drummer
Jan 1, 2025

Master Studies: Stroke Combination Studies, 9 Stroke Roll Combinations

Going from single strokes to double strokes, to buzz (multiple rebound) strokes, involves different pressures on the sticks. You must be able to change the pressure your fingers are putting on the sticks without tension developing in the wrists. When…

By Joe Morello
Nov 1, 2024

Don’t HIT Your Drums!

What? You mean I shouldn’t hit my drums?!? Some drummers can’t wait to grab their sticks and start flailing away, beating the drums like a punching bag. This gets old fast, and only leads to a string of bad habits.…

By Chris Lesso
Nov 1, 2024

Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming: Linear Cross-Rhythms

In the new and revised edition of the Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming, Bobby includes nine new double bass drumming chapters. The new and expanded edition covers contemporary techniques such as bass drum double strokes, feet-only exercises, binary and ternary…

Modern Drummer
Nov 1, 2024

Vocabulary Development Essentials Part 3 - Hand and Foot Combinations with Diddles

In last month’s edition, we explored the concept of enhancing your vocabulary through musical hand and foot combinations with accents. This month, we’re diving into the world of diddles, an embellishment that will significantly increase your drumming vocabulary. Incorporating diddles…

By Michael Packer
Nov 1, 2024
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Duet 7

Ron Spagnardi wrote a terrific book called Snare Drum Duets: 25 Duets for Two Snare Drummers. It offers a selection of 25 challenging duets that range in difficulty from relatively simple to more complex. A wide assortment of time signatures…

By Ron Spagnardi
Nov 1, 2024

Ludwig H.I.T.S. Fest

In celebration of its 40th anniversary of manufacturing at the Monroe, N.C. site, the legendary Ludwig Drum Company generously opened its doors to the public for an unprecedented two-day event: the Ludwig H.I.T.S. Fest. H.I.T.S. is an acronym for Heritage,…

Story and photos by Bob Campbell
Nov 1, 2024
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