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.
Enter the Dojo
“Medicine men live in caves.” Jean-Michel Basquiat Eccentric artists find sanctuary in their studio. Elite athletes train hard at their gym. Inventors innovate in their lab. Defiant disruptors and wave-makers have always had their space away from the world to…
Progressive Drumming Essentials: Septuplet Fives
Progressive Drumming Essentials is a collection of articles originally written for Modern Drummer magazine. They are exactly what the title says, PROGRESSIVE drumming essentials. This series of articles, and the book that contains them all, represent a great deal of…
Master Studies II: Table of Time (Revisited)
As a follow-up to Joe Morello’s legendary Master Studies book, he released Master Studies II in 2006. Joe was a masterful teacher and helped many great drummers with their musicality, technique, and touch. Joe was also masterful at creating exercises,…
The New Breed: (Some More) Advanced Reading
Gary Chester’s groundbreaking book The New Breed is legendary. The book, and Gary’s teaching methods are deeply intertwined, it is a lifelong commitment of dedication, study, and development. Gary Chester’s Systems, Reading Exercises, Advanced Systems, Advanced Reading Exercises, Composite Systems,…
The History of Parade, Circus, and Vaudeville Drums
Parade, circus, and vaudeville drums share a common DNA rooted in military tradition, but each evolved with their own personality as they moved into the world of entertainment. Here is some history of these types of drums and their uses.…
Out Now May 2026
Modern Drummer enjoys spotlighting new recordings that have the drums at the center of their sound. These recordings might be drummer-led, or just include a high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performance from the drummer and/or musicians in the…
Grace Under Pressure: Super Deluxe Edition
Rush’s 1984 Masterpiece Gets the Definitive Treatment It DeservesBy David FrangioniCEO, Modern Drummer Artist: Rush Album: Grace Under Pressure — Super Deluxe Edition (Anthem/Mercury/UMe, 2026)Format: 4CD + Blu-ray / 5LP + Blu-ray Super Deluxe Box Set Release Date: March 13,…
James Edward Gadson, June 17, 1939- April 2, 2026
Born on June 17, 1939, drummer, producer, singer, and songwriter James Gadson grew up in the Kansas City music scene. He was greatly influenced by his father Harold, who was a well-known drummer in Kansas City. James later moved to…
Payton Taylor’s Zara Larsson Touring Kit
Drums: Pearl Reference One: 16×22 Bass Drum, 7×10 Rack Tom, 8×12 Rack Tom, 16×16 Floor Tom. Snares: 5×14 Pearl Sensitone Black Nickel over Brass (Main Snare,) 8×14 Professional Maple (Deep Snare,) 3×13 Maple Piccolo Snare. Cymbals: Zildjian (from stage left to stage right): 20” K…
Scott Phillips’ Creed Tour Kit
Drums: DW Jazz Series Kit with Gold Hardware: 8×10 Rack Tom, 9×12 Rack Tom, 16×16 Floor Tom, 18×18 Floor Tom, 18×22 Kick Drum, 6.5×14 Brass/Nickel Snare, (2) spare 6.5×14 Brass Snares (not pictured.) Evans Drumheads: Snare Batter- Heavyweight, Snare Reso – Hazy 300 w/ 20 strand Blaster snare wires, Toms Batter – G2 Clear, Toms Resonant – G1 Clear,…
Sean T. Lane’s Heart Touring Kit
Ludwig Drums – Classic Maple 2017 Mod Orange Finish: 9×13 Rack Tom, 14×14 Floor Tom, 16×16 Floor Tom, 14×22 Bass Drum. Snares – 7×14 Keplinger Black Iron Snare, 6.5X14 Keplinger Stainless Steel Snare (swap between for main snare.) Paiste Cymbals: 19” Formula 602 Modern Essentials Crash, 20” Formula 602 Modern…
Lucky Sevens
In this month’s educational column’s you might see a theme: Sevens (or septuplets.) But why sevens? First, playing seven equally spaced notes within a beat has nothing to do with playing in 7/4 or 7/8. Sevens are a natural rhythmic…
Tama Starclassic, Beautiful Inside and Out
When David Lehnert purchased his first home in 2017, he sought his own studio with his dream drum set. He chose a Tama Starclassic. We’ll let him pick up the story from there. “The light jade burst is a timeless…
Peregrine
“This is the album I’ve always wanted to make.” Peregrine is the name of my new album. The word means wandering, traveling, or migrating, stemming from Latin for “foreigner” or “traveler.” The peregrine is also a falcon, a bird of prey…
