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.
Concepts - Are You Playing the Drums?
This month’s quote represents a classic sentiment that seasoned drummers often feel necessary to share with younger players. By this stage in my career, I’ve witnessed many occasions when it would have been useful to repeat—at a clinic, for instance,…
Do I Need an Attorney? Part 2: Navigating Contract Negotiations
In last month’s column, we discussed whether or not you should hire a lawyer for your business dealings. This time we dive a bit deeper into a few specific topics that you may have to deal with at some point…
In Memoriam - Johnny Craviotto
Johnny Craviotto, who died on July 15 at age sixty-nine, may have passed on, but his legacy isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Craviotto thrived in the music industry as an innovator and a dear friend to many. His handcrafted solid-shell…
In Memoriam - Dennis Davis
There’s much to love about every drummer who played behind David Bowie. From Mick Woodmansey’s workmanlike chops to slick groove merchants like Andy Newmark and Omar Hakim to Mark Guiliana’s envelope-pushing concepts, all did amazing work with Bowie. TO READ…
Product Close-Up - Gretsch Gear
The professional-grade Renown series drumset has been very popular among touring, gigging, and session drummers for its combination of classic Gretsch quality, clean and contemporary tone, and competitive price point. For the second-generation version, called RN2, the company incorporated more…
Product Close-Up - Zildjian - Avedis Series Cymbals
Given the great success of the vintage-style Kerope line, which was launched at the 2014 Winter NAMM Show as a tribute to highly coveted Turkish-made K cymbals, it comes as no surprise that Zildjian would do a similar reworking of…
Product Close-Up – Canopus Snare Drums
Canopus is one of the premier boutique drum manufacturers in Japan, specializing in reinventing classic designs from the past and refining contemporary drum construction methods. The Yaiba II series is the company’s foray into a more affordable price point and…
Product Close-Up - Tama Pedals
Tama has introduced the next generation of its Iron Cobra and Speed Cobra pedals with smart enhancements that focus on feel, stability, and sound. The company’s engineers managed to reduce weight in certain key areas while fortifying the pedals’ overall…
An Editor's Overview - The Uncommon Man
Hello, everyone! We’re already well into the new year, and I always like to take the opportunity around this time to thank readers, drum industry members, and everyone else who has supported Modern Drummer over the past forty-one years. Some…
On The Cover - Kenny Aronoff
This is one of life’s simple truths: The more you learn, the more you realize how much more you have to learn. Here is another simple truth: Kenny Aronoff understands this better than almost anybody. It’s a key reason he’s…
Driver's Seat - Reading Charts
Over the years, I've seen too many aspiring big band drummers who simply do not take the time needed to fully develop their reading ability. Unfortunately, I've heard many competent young players become very mediocre drummers when presented with a…
An Editor's Overview - Follow Your Heart
There are multiple reasons we go down particular paths of drumming education. Our first teacher introduces us to Stick Control, and we start getting our hands together. We hear “Achilles Last Stand,” and John Bonham’s right foot becomes the new…
The 2016 Hollywood Custom and Vintage Drum Show
This past October 8, the 2016 Hollywood Custom and Vintage Drum Show packed the Glendale Civic Auditorium in Glendale, California, with gear, drumming enthusiasts, and great performances and clinics. Vendor booths were filled with the latest drums from Acoutin, BoneYard,…
Kit of the Month - Compact Clubber
This light, tight, and customized setup comes from Steve Fruda, from Norwalk, Connecticut, who decided to downsize after a few seasons of nonstop wedding gigs with his New York City–based band, the Elements. The early-2000s Premier Artist Heritage Club kit…
