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.
Driver's Seat - Hints On Playing With Big Bands
by Charlie Persip The important difference between big bands and small bands is in the orchestration/arrangements. A conventional big band has trumpet, trombone, sax and rhythm sections. These sections will, at times, play the same melodic and rhythmic figures collectively…
The 45-Minute Practice Routine
Get Organized to Optimize Your Time Behind the Kit When I sit back and think about the thousands of questions I’ve been asked by students in my eighteen-year career as a drum teacher and clinician, I would have to say…
Balanced Hands
Two Exercises to Eliminate One-Hand Dominance This article consists of exercises designed to develop strength and endurance in both hands. The first one begins with a balance of four right-hand and four left-hand strokes. As you repeat, the balance is…
Double Bass Workout
Part 6: Paradiddle Patterns For the final lesson in this series we’re going to have some fun with paradiddles, double paradiddles, and paradiddle variations over 16th notes, 16th-note triplets, and 32nd notes. Remember to play to a metronome or click…
Rod Morgenstein
When Rod Morgenstein was growing up he heard the saying, "There are musicians, and drummers." Now, as the driving force behind the musically diverse Dixie Dregs, he lays that distinction to rest. The 27 year old is trained in piano…
In The Studio-On The Road with RICK MAROTTA
Rick Marotta was born January 7, 1948 in New Rochelle, New York. And, apparently, he was also horn to play drums. For without any formal training, Marotta's natural "feel" for the instrument has made him one of the world's most…
Susan Evans: Doin' It All
A person interested in playing percussion has a lot to choose from.
Rediscovering Rudiments
Simple Ways to Progress Beyond the Snare Regardless of your desire as a drummer, whether it’s to play blistering solos or tasteful grooves, studying the rudiments will do much to help you take your craft to the next level. In…
GEORGE MARSH - Exploring Self-Awareness
There is a rare group of people in the world of percussion that are called "drummer's drummers". George Marsh is a member of that prestigious group. George Marsh is an honest person who not only was very thoughtful and articulate…
John Bonham In Retrospect
Without doubt, the dominating force in heavy metal rock during the entire decade of the 1970's was Led Zeppelin. John Bonham led the way with his wildly enthusiastic style, both on stage and in the studio. His syncopated but rock…
Rock Perspectives - Tom-Toms
In the basic rock concept, tom-toms are traditionally used only in fills and solos. This was expanded a few years ago with the release of Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" which used a tom-tom on beats 2…
Concepts - Teachers, Studying and Learning
There are many opinions and points of view (pro and con) about studying with a private drum teacher. Drummers who have never taken a lesson frequently criticize drum teachers. Drum teachers criticize each other, sometimes privately, sometimes publicly. Young drummers…
Rock Perspectives - "Playing Rock Music Is Not Dumb"
The following material is similar to the Rock Perspectives column regarding Swiss Army Triplets (July 1981). It's different enough to present additional technical challenges. These particular exercises can be of special benefit to the right foot (bass drum) because of…
Show And Studio - A Conductor-Arranger Talks to Drummers
"It sure as hell would help if drummers would listen to the entire orchestra, rather than just concern themselves with their own immediate surroundings." The man speaking is Nick Perito, conductor/arranger for Perry Como, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Ferrante…
