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.
Flamacue Variations
26 Ways to Apply the Standard Rudiment to the Drumset In this article we’ll take the flamacue rudiment and apply it to the drumset. Let’s start by playing the flamacue on the snare. Now play it in 3/4. Notice that…
Approaching Standards
A Framework for Musical Practice, Part 3: Language and Vernacular Welcome to the final installment of our series on applying the rhythmic phrasing of jazz standards to the drumset. This time we’re exploring ways to extract themes from the…
ZZ Top Tres Hombres
A heinous decision in the ’80s to remix ZZ Top’s classic early tracks didn’t totally diminish Frank Beard’s funky grooves, but it sure was a buzzkill. Fortunately, that call was reversible, and Beard’s beauteous beats were presented in all their…
Ed Shaughnessy
As the most visible drummer on network TV for three decades, he helped America understand what big band drumming was all about. But there was more to his story—much more. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Add Some Metal!
Searching for new melodic tones to add to your kit? A trip to the local auto scrap yard can open up a world of sounds for any drummer. Here are some ways to introduce voices to your setup using old…
Simon Kirke — Rocklife
In 1970 "AII Right Now" by the band Free became a hit, and almost an anthem. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Anthony J. Cirone — Organic Balance
I've always been intrigued by people who do a variety of things in their careers. My first drum teacher was such a person. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Drums Don't Lie
The former Kyuss and Fu Manchu drummer, who’s currently with Vista Chino, tells it like it is, was, and always will be. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
J.R. Mitchell Creative Survival
J.R. Mitchell is a multi-faceted human being. On the surface, he might seem to be "just" a drummer. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
The Art of Soloing
I may as well admit the obvious: I am, indeed, a practitioner and partisan of that much maligned and oft-persecuted musical form, that thudding, plodding, torment of tedium, that dazzling display of passion and virtuosity—the drum solo. Much contempt has…
Do Big Name Drummers Really Play Better?
I have heard people say, when speaking of another drummer, “He is as good as any big name drummer. He just never got a break.” I have also heard this comment, “The only difference between one drummer and another is…
Beyond "Funky Drummer"
Great Drum Breaks of the ’60s and Early ’70s Much has been written about Clyde Stubblefield’s legendary drum break on James Brown’s 1969 song “Funky Drummer.” Those few bars laid the groundwork for dozens of hip-hop tracks, and Stubblefield’s playing…
Transferring African Rhythms
One of the most interesting drum lessons that I’ve ever had was when Kwaku Dadey showed me how to transfer African rhythms to the drumset. Kwaku plays traditional African music on his tuned conga drums in much the same manner…
Rick Allen: "Rock of Ages
This month we feature “Rock of Ages” from Def Leppard’s Pyromania album. Rick Allen keeps the beat solid and tight on this. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
