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.
8 Reasons to Love Whitesnake
Whitesnake formed soon after the dissolution of the Mark IV lineup of Deep Purple, when singer David Coverdale combined his love of blues, rock, heavy metal, funk, and soul into a blustery amalgam of white-hot riffs and soaring vocal pyrotechnics.…
Flam Ostinatos - A Creative Approach to a Drumming Staple
In the context of contemporary hybrid rudiments, the flam has been used in different ways to create some new and exciting patterns. Inspired by some of these modern hybrid combinations, I’ve come up with a concept to add yet another…
Buddy Rich - “Stars and Stripes Forever”
By 1929, a twelve-year-old Buddy Rich was already a seasoned performer, having been an integral part of his parents’ vaudeville act since he was eighteen months old. According to Mel Tormé’s biography of Rich, Traps: The Drum Wonder, with the…
Clint Schnase on Cursive’s Vitriola
The original drummer for the biting Nebraska indie group rejoins them in the studio for a raucous homecoming.
Drumset Ergonomics - Part 5: Positioning the Hi-Hat, Ride, and Rack Toms
Welcome back! The final two articles in this series will focus on the placement of primary and secondary suspended instruments, with an emphasis on preserving shoulder health. Primary suspended instruments are the ones we play most often (hi-hat, ride, and…
Chris Parker
When Chris Parker was an aspiring young drummer, he figured that if he could play with Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, and Ray Charles, well, he’d have accomplished something truly special in his career. To be sure, it was a tall…
Chris Slade — Technique And Heart
Inside one of New York’s most elegant hotels, the new rock conglomerate, The Firm, has taken up residence, calling the place “home” for the last leg of its first U.S. tour. In the hotel’s bar, I’m waiting for Chris Slade’s…
Mickey Roker — The Natural
The City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, lays claim to a set of freedom-founding parchments, a legendary local kite flyer, a big cracked bell, and a roster of incredible jazz artists, including a fiery drummer who proved himself on these historic…
Eddie Bayers — Overcoming The Obstacles
While growing up, Eddie Bayers dug R&B and the likes of Wilson Pickett, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin. It seems like a far cry from his position as one of the primary drummers in Nashville, recording with such notables as…
Studio Drumming: A Producer’s Perspective
Sitting with Val Garay in his office at his studio, Record One, it is easy to see why artists enjoy working with him. He’s easygoing and warm. Even with all the hubbub and demands of the studio, he still puts…
