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.
Ray Lucas
He jammed regularly with Hendrix, shared stages with Ringo at the height of Beatlemania, and set a standard that some of the world’s greatest players aspired to. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Stephen Perkins: Rolling Thunder
His eternal smile and energy are impossible to forget, and whether he’s playing just a shaker and a pair of bongos or bashing home the finale of one of Jane’s Addiction’s more heady epics, his drive and feel are inspirational.…
The CRASH Course to Success Part 3: Attitude
This article focuses on the third portion of my CRASH concept (“commitment, relationships, attitude, skill, hunger”) for attracting success to your drumming career—and that’s attitude. Attitude is everything in life. It will make or break just about anyone on any…
Metrically Modulated Drum ’n’ Bass
Using Triplets to Imply Faster Tempos Over the past decade, the drum ’n’ bass style of drumming has taken off in a big way. Many drummers tend to emulate this style by simply playing in double time. For example, if…
Swingin’ the Clave
Advanced Exercises for Developing Independence In jazz, the ride cymbal is the focal point for creating a flowing, swinging time feel. In Afro-Cuban music, the clave assumes this role. Essentially, clave is to Afro-Cuban music what the ride cymbal beat…
David Calarco
A veteran jazzer proves that you can make a mark outside New York City—if you retain your intensity and keep yourself open to change. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Roy Haynes, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jack DeJohnette
It was a jazz drumming summit of epic proportions. Roy Haynes, the last of the great drummers of the bebop era; Jack DeJohnette, the most recognizably artful and exploratory drummer of modern times; and Terri Lyne Carrington, TO READ THE…
Alex Van Halen: Of Sound And Vision
You know who it is the second you hear the crack of that snare drum. Like a musical fingerprint, Alex Van Halen’s sound and style are singularly his own. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Composing on the Drumset
Simple Ways to Bring More Intention to Your Grooves I believe that as drummers we have the ability to create music and compose on our instrument in more ways than in the conventional manner. We learn good technique through the…
Burning on Double Bass — Basic Hand/Foot Patterns
There are no shortcuts in gaining control in drumming. Just as it takes time to develop speed and accuracy with your hands, the same applies to your double bass playing. The important things are to be focused in your practice…
Inner Drumming Listening With All Four Limbs, Part 2
In my previous article (April 2012), I explained the concept of listening—or sounding—with each individual limb and the importance of practicing increased internal awareness of the energy flow from limb to limb. The exercises started by focusing on one limb…
Vinny Appice Leaving His Mark
Even appearing on national television with an ex-Beatle—as a teenager, no less—couldn’t have prepared him for the rock ’n’ roll glory that lay just around the corner. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Paul Motian 1931-2011
He showed us new ways to think about jazz drumming. There will never be another like him. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
BILL COBHAM: The Power Player
Billy Cobham is widely regarded as the premier drummer of jazz-rock fusion’s golden era—and he remains a dynamic and revered player to this day. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
