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.
Rashied Ali — The Will To Survive
Rashied Ali (Robert Patterson, Jr.) was born in Philadelphia on July 1, 1935. Well known in New York avant-garde circles by 1963, he came to international prominence as John Coltrane's last full-time drummer, from 1965 until the master's death in…
Great Grooves — Part 2
Here’s another selection of grooves for you to try. Concentrate on developing your coordination, along with the fluidity and smoothness of performance that will put these patterns “in the pocket.” The key is to be clean and precise, yet comfortable…
Technique And Equipment
One of my students complained to me that he had a weak foot. “I have no strength or control of my bass pedal,” he said. I gave him some exercises to practice on the bass drum. At the next lesson,…
Assertions And Evaluations
Time passes, and I become convinced more than ever that the diverse elements comprising the art of drumming all work together to give us drum fanatics as good a shot at happiness and fulfillment as anyone on the planet Earth.…
Drum Wisdom: Dana Hall
The drummer, composer, and director of jazz studies and ethnomusicology at DePaul University is all about seeking out true sources.
Tris Imboden — Positive Drumming
This gives me more than what I would expect from a drummer because he also gives me attitude,'' Kenny Loggins told me when I asked what he needed from a drummer. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
Bev Bevan — Reborn
For over ten years the drummer of the incredibly successful Electric Light Orchestra, more commonly known as ELO, Bev Bevan has now found another band in which to play drums—Black Sabbath. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
Gerald Brown
Gerry Brown isn't sure what to call it—fate, destiny, chance—but whatever it was, the timing for his return to the U.S. was impeccable. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Peter Donald
If Peter Donald seems a bit cocky, lashing out at his drums with a cigarette hanging loosely from his lips, you must remember—he has a right to be. He's played with pop acts like Olivia Newton-John, Peter Allen, and Helen…
Great Grooves, Part 1
From a general viewpoint, the word “groove” suggests a certain rhythmic precision in group playing, not unlike the word “tight” or the phrase “in the pocket.” From a drummer’s perspective, groove can also indicate a particular rhythmic motif, which, when…
How Many Drums Do I Really Need?
I have heard drummers say, “You don’t need a big kit. If you play on a smaller kit, you will be more creative and more musical.” Several famous drummers have been quoted as saying, “I can do everything I need…
Mark Sheppard of Robyn Hitchcock and His L.A. Squires
Long before he conquered film and TV in things like The X-Files, Supernatural, and In the Name of the Father, he witnessed the birth of London punk and participated in its fascinating aftermath. Now he’s come full circle, playing drums…
