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.
Mike Mangini - Living The Dream
By creating layers of complex rhythms that complement Dream Theater’s epic arrangements, “the new guy” is ushering in a bold and exciting era for the band, its fans, and progressive rock music itself. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO…
Gregory Hutchinson
Hutch might just be the jazz drummer’s jazz drummer—historically astute and futuristically minded, with the kind of technique, soul, and sophistication that today’s most important artists treasure. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Tony Mason - NYC Pocket Master
New York native Tony Mason, one of NYC’s most in-demand drummers, has a reputation built on his fierce backbeat, soulful timing, and undeniable groove. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Art Blakey: The Mentor
We all know those iconic black-and-white images: Blakey at the kit, sweat beads on his forehead, a flash in the eyes, and that mouth agape—sometimes with the tongue flat out—in pure elation. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS…
The CRASH Course to Success Part 1: Commitment
What does it take to succeed as a working drummer? Commitment. Commitment is the word for the first letter in an acronym I created, CRASH, to illustrate concepts people can use to attract success to their lives. TO READ THE…
Focus on the Hi-Hat The Classic Swing Sound
Before small groups reigned supreme and the ride cymbal became king, the beacon in jazz timekeeping was the hi-hat. Jo Jones with Count Basie and Ray McKinley with Glenn Miller were masters of the hi-hat. Both players could swing an…
New Drum Gear from Tama, Remo, Rogers, Etymotic Research, Vic Firth and Ahead!
Tama Superstar Hyper-Drive Duo Drumkit Tama’s new Superstar Hyper-Drive Duo features maple shells with black nickel hardware, die-cast hoops, and the aluminum Star-Cast mounting system. The 10×14 Duo snare drum doubles as a floor tom and an extra-deep snare. The…
The Spivack/Wilson Approach to Technique Part 3: Continuity and Chronological Order
In this article we’ll demonstrate how strokes can be learned sequentially, in what Spivack called continuity (a continuous or connected whole) and what Wilson referred to as chronological order (from earliest to latest). TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO…
What’s Your Favorite 1980s Metal or Hard Rock Drumming Album?
This month we dive into the third installment of our series on great ’80s drumming performances with a focus on metal and hard rock tracks. As usual we asked MD readers and social media followers for their take on the…
Santiago “Jimmy” Vela III on the Sword’s Used Future
Monstrous grooves underlie heavy riffs and Black Sabbath–inspired melodies on the group’s latest release.
Rod Morgenstein with the Dixie Dregs
The prog-rock flag bearers reunite their classic 1970s Free Fall lineup for a spring U.S. tour.
Smashing Pumpkins’ Jimmy Chamberlin
For the second incarnation of the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, as heard on its new album, The Parable, the mighty drummer, who came to prominence in the ’90s with the Smashing Pumpkins, gathered players from East and West Coasts to create…
Guitar Center Destination Drum Shops
With more than 280 stores from coast to coast offering just about everything in the way of musical instruments, accessories, and audio gear, you’d think that the retail giant Guitar Center could easily rest on its laurels. “No way,” says…
Terri Lyne Carrington with Lewis Porter, Blake Richardson with Between the Buried and Me, Virgil Donati with IceFish, and More!
RECORDINGS Between the Buried and Me Automata Part I The progressive metal veterans release their highly anticipated eighth full-length album. Drummer BLAKE RICHARDSON somehow takes it up a notch. Once again Blake Richardson’s fluent, musical playing is rendered brilliantly by producer…
