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.
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…
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…
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,…
Tommy Lee’s Motley Crue Girls, Girls, Girls, Tour Pearl Free Floating Snare Drum, Drastic Plastik Trigger Pads, and Tour Artifacts.
This Pearl snare drum is one of two custom Free Floating snares that Tommy Lee used on Motley Crue’s 1987 Girls, Girls, Girls Tour. Both snares were 6.5 x 14 Free Floating models with custom red hardware. One snare has…
Out Now November 2024
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…
Hand-Picked Vinyl November 2024
As the music world continues to see a resurgence in Vinyl (LP’s,) Vinyl Me Please (VMP) is curating and producing some of the best vinyl remasters and pressings around. They are scouring the history of recorded music for forgotten gems…
Johnny Rabb’s Collective Soul Touring Kit
Photos by Jason Mehler Drums: Ludwig Classic Maple – White Marine Pearl 16×22 Bass Drum, 10×13 Rack tom, 16×16 Floor Tom, 16×18 Floor Tom. Snares: 6.5×14 Supraphonic Snare, 3.5×13 Vibe Piccolo Snare, 10” Creative Percussion Roto Snare. Heads: Remo, Powerstroke P3 Bass drum…
The Sounds We Make
“Chances Are.” Composed by Robert Allen and Al Stillman. Sung by Johnny Mathis. Recorded in Columbia 30th Street Studio, where Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue was also recorded.1957. I was three years old when the Mathis single was released, and I can…
Drums and Sports
Let’s start here. Music is not a sport, and any attempt to make music or drumming into a sporting event where there are winners, losers, best, and worst, is something that I am (basically) against. Healthy competition can be advantageous…
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…