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.
What's Your Favorite Steve Gadd Track and Why?
For drummers, it could be hard, if not impossible, to pick out one standout track from the extensive and legendary career of this month’s cover artist, Steve Gadd. His feel and explosive solo on Steely Dan’s “Aja,” the inventive groove…
Will Calhoun
For decades Living Colour’s connoisseur of all things rhythmic has journeyed to the far corners of the globe to perform, search for rare instruments, and jam with local musicians.
Trivium’s Paul Wandtke
Career highlights like playing with the alt-goth band Kill Hannah, a traveling production of Rock of Ages, and a Nirvana tribute act—in which he’s singing and playing guitar—might not seem typical for a lead-up to joining an established metal group.…
This Heat’s Charles Hayward
Coming out just as the era of prog rock gave way to the tidal wave of punk rock, England’s This Heat was largely drowned out by the overpowering sounds of the sonic revolution. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO…
Nate Lotz
Nate Lotz isn’t interested in showing you how fast his doubles are. As the drummer for the electro-pop starlet Halsey, Lotz works an electronic/acoustic hybrid kit with precision, but he’s much more focused on that magic that happens when the…
The Feelies’ Stan Demeski
Few groups enjoy as loyal a fan base as the Feelies, whose handful of ’80s albums had a profound influence on many a guitar-oriented alt-rock band. The days of bottomless major-label budgets are long past, though, and since the group…
Stickings That Rock, Part 1: From A Hand Pattern to a Groove
This month we’ll look at a sticking that can be found in the first few pages of George Lawrence Stones’ book Stick Control and apply it to patterns on the drumset. The sticking, RLRR LRRL, is a staple of my…
Rock 'N' Jazz Clinic - Groove Construction
Ghost notes are an excellent way to expand your dynamic range. In this lesson, we’ll focus on dynamics and technique while working on ghost notes by using an ostinato approach. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
An Editor's Overview - Adapting to Change
While I worked on a piece in this month’s News section about the latest Radian record, On Dark Silent Off, MD editorial director Adam Budofsky dropped one of the band’s earlier CDs, 2004’s Juxtaposition, on my desk. Checking it out…
Beyond the Noteheads - Benefits and Strategies for Transcribing, Part 2
I lead a lab at Temple University, and at our first meeting of each semester I ask my students what music they have an interest in learning more about. Some want to gain a deeper understanding of a particular style…
On The Cover - Chris Dave
The iconoclastic rhythm auteur is readying his hotly anticipated new album. MD contributor Ken Micallef got an early listen, and, transfixed by its contents, presses its creator for explanations and looks for clues to his self-expression. TO READ THE FULL…
1,000 Ways to Practice a Single Page, Part 1: Introducing the Method
I’ve always wanted a system for practicing different subjects that I can take with me anywhere without having to lug around a heavy stack of books. My students often forgot materials for their lessons, so we ended up using any…
Frank Ferrer
It’s 98 degrees at Music City’s Titan Stadium, and Modern Drummer has been invited on stage to sit behind the kit of the world’s most dangerous band, the reunited, unrepentant group of misfits known officially as Guns n’ Roses. TO…
Snare Drum Effects - 16 Add-ons to Quickly Modify Tone
The snare drum could be viewed as a drummer’s most important voice and has helped define some of the drumming community’s most revered performances. Consider John Bonham’s deep, throaty snare on Led Zeppelin’s IV, which dominates tracks such as “When…
