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.
Brian Thompson: Rack ‘em Up!
This month’s Modern Drummer Kit of the Month comes from Brian Thompson. Brian’s entire kit is mounted on a cool Gibraltar Stealth Docking Station rack consisting of a no-leg hi-hat stand, snare basket, 22” hoop over the bass, and a…
ddrum E-FLEX BT9 Electronic Drums
In 2022, ddrum unveiled their E-Flex series of electronic drums, designed to offer a quiet yet highly responsive playing experience. This line featured 6-inch mesh pads that provided both enhanced sensitivity and reduced noise. ddrum recently expanded the E-FLEX series…
Zac Farro Unleashed: A Legend in the Making
In the realm of modern rock drummers, Zac Farro is a standout star with a journey as dynamic as his drumming. As Paramore’s rhythmic powerhouse since his teens, Farro has navigated the band’s transformations, including a hiatus and triumphant return,…
Joey Mullen: Crafting the Rhythm Behind Paramore’s Explosive Sound
In today’s highly competitive world, carving out a name in drumming requires more than just raw talent. It demands courage, perseverance, and confidence. The man in question Joey Mullen, has proven that he has what it takes to succeed at…
The Gumbo Groove
New Orleans Legend: Johnny VidacovichYou Play What’s Pertinent to the Music! To be a true drumming legend in a town steeped in drumming is quite an accomplishment. But how does that happen? In the case of Johnny Vidacovich, you play…
Leslie Mandoki: Living His Dreams
Guitarists Al Di Meola and Steve Lukather call Leslie Mandoki the Hungarian Quincy Jones, and Jack Bruce calls him the German Duke Ellington. But drummer, lyricist, songwriter, bandleader, and producer Leslie Mandoki scoffs at those comparisons, and refers to Quincy…
Joe Boyd: And the Routes of Rhythm Remain: A Journey Through Global Music.
Drummers usually talk about the same drummers, and we all know their names. But producers and music lovers often talk about a different list of drummers. Joe Boyd is one such producer, music lover, and author. In his legendary career…
December 2024 – Volume 48 • Number 12
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Dennis Chambers’ solo from John Scofield’s “Pick Hits”
Dennis Chambers’ solo on “Pick Hits” from the live recording of the same name is the “soup du jour” this month. I consider Dennis to be on the Mount Rushmore of drummers—a rare group who revolutionized how the rest of…
Master Studies: Stroke Combination Studies,7 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…
The Curse Of The Expert
As drummers we’re all passionate and energetic people, so it’s really easy to fall into the trap of more more more. But to speak your voice, you counterintuitively have to DELETE. I didn’t do this for a long time. “I…
The Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming: Power Three’s
In the new and revised edition of the Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming, Bobby Rondinelli 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…
Vocabulary Development Essentials Part 2:Embellishing Hand & Foot Combinations
Building on last month’s article titled “Vocabulary Development Essentials – Hand & Foot Combinations,” this time we’re diving deeper into how you can elevate your playing by transforming basic hand and foot combinations into more musical phrases. One effective way…
Understanding the Language of Music: Chord Extentions
Modern Drummer founder Ron Spagnardi wrote an excellent book called Understanding the Language of Music, a Drummer’s Guide to Theory and Harmony. This book spells out the basics of theory and harmony in a very easy to understand way. It…
