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.
John Marshall: Astute Musicianship
John Marshall is one of the most important and influential of British drummers, having been a mainstay of the English jazz and rock scene for almost two decades. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Kenny Clare — Conservative Accompanist
When I mentioned Kenny Clare's name to Joe Morello one day, Joe responded: "He's the best jazz drummer in England. Kenny's just a fine musician." TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Hi-Hat Accents - Adding Melody to Your Grooves
In this lesson we’ll embellish 16th-note grooves with hi-hat accents. In Exercises 1–4, accents are placed on the main hi-hat in the first measure, and in the second measure the right-handed accents are moved to the ride or an auxiliary…
Ginger Baker — Alive And Well
"Hello—this is Ginger Baker. I'm calling to say goodbye ..." This sounded final and gloomy. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Pete Best: Silver Beatle
Unless you happened to be in Hamburg, Germany, or Liverpool, England between the years of 1960 and 1962, you would not have seen the Beatles' original drummer, Pete Best. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Jack Sperling
Jack Sperling's experience with big bands, combos, show and studio conductors, network staff groups and as back-up drummer for star performers would be difficult to match—and this shows no sign of letting up. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO…
Graham Lear: "Head, Hands & Feet"
Graham Lear: “Head, Hands & Feet” From the album Moonflower by Santana (Columbia C2-34914) TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Graham Lear: "Head, Hands & Feet"
Graham Lear: “Head, Hands & Feet” From the album Moonflower by Santana (Columbia C2-34914) TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Jeff Porcaro
Whether listening to Jeff Porcaro on vinyl or watching him in the studio or on a live gig, a multitude of adjectives come to mind. First and foremost is finesse: an artful delicacy of performance, a tastefulness and subtlety. TO…
"Hurts So Good"
“Hurts So Good,” like many other songs played on the radio today, sounds technically basic and very simple. But if you listen carefully, there are many creative subtleties in the music. Hot licks and flash may catch a listener’s ears,…
Self-Appointed Authorities Can Be Dangerous To Your Health
According to Webster’s Dictionary, an authority is “a person with much knowledge or experience in some field, whose opinion is hence reliable: an expert.” Unfortunately, many so-called authorities are “self-appointed.” They want to be authorities, but they lack the training,…
Rhythmic Conversions, Part 6: Funk Grooves and the Half-Note Triplet
In this lesson we’ll superimpose a new tempo over an existing pulse using a half-note triplet, and we’ll manipulate the subdivision to create funk grooves in the implied pulse. Be sure to practice these patterns with a metronome and work…
Dannie Richmond: "Three Worlds of Drums"
From the album Me, Myself An Eye by Charles Mingus (Atlantic SD-8803). This transcription is from For The Record, a new book of drum solos by some of the world’s greatest drummers, written by David Wood. TO READ THE…
