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.
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…
Rudimental Symposium - A Wake-up for Drum Sections
You have probably heard your band director say to the brass and woodwind players, "Let's play that chorale once more. Listen to your tone. Practice warming-up every day." Band directors spend a lot of time with warm-ups for wind players,…
Teacher's Forum - Drumset Applications of The Reed Syncopation
This article is a compilation of exercises by Mr. Breithaupt and two of his advanced students, Karl Ott and Peter Retzlaff.
An Editor's Overview - Influencers
"If I am an influence, I hope I’m a good one,” said this month’s cover artist, Steve Gadd, in his very first Modern Drummer cover story, in 1978. “I don’t play to be an influence. I feel a responsibility to…
Steve Gadd - The Innovator
In a career defined by technical innovation, multi-genre groove mastery, and studio perfection, he's never forgotten that, no matter the setting, it always boils down to basic human connectivity. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Simon Kirke
The Free and Bad Company cofounder releases a solo album that reaffirms his place in the top tier of rock drumming, as well as his stature as a solo artist to be reckoned with. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE…
Modern Drummer 2017 Readers Poll Winners
The universally lauded multi-genre legend joins Hall of Fame, another contemporary giant sweeps three categories, and Neil Peart returns. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
The New York Scene
Modern Drummer's first discussion of percussion includes four of the busiest drummers on the New York Scene today: Herb Lovelle, Ralph MacDonald, Bernard Purdie and Grady Tate. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Ziv Ravitz
The leader and accomplice to jazz heavies Shai Maestro, Omer Avital, Joe Lovano, Esperanza Spalding, Ben Monder, Avishai Cohen, and many others obeys one master: the urgency of now. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Drum Soloist - Jo Jones -"Adlib"
This solo was transcribed from the album entitled, The Main Man—Jo Jones, recorded in November 1976, and released on the Pablo label. The solo is heard toward the end of "Adlib" which appears on side 1, cut 3. TO READ…
Aleks Girshevich
A twelve-year-old reaches into the “El Negro” clave bag, and more than holds his own on a disc featuring Eddie Gomez. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
