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.
Catching Up With…Jason Bittner
In 2007, at the Sounds of the Underground festival in Phoenix, Arizona, where Shadows Fall was on the bill, Jason Bittner heard that Kelly Smith, drummer for the thrash veterans Flotsam and Jetsam, was in attendance. Bittner first met Smith…
Bebop Syncopation - Part 1: Max Roach and Art Blakey
Ted Reed’s Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer is considered a timeless book by many leading drummers and educators. One page alone can inspire a lifetime’s worth of practice material. In this series of articles we’ll explore new…
A New Perspective - Part 2: Three-Over-Two Linear Polyrhythms
The three-over-two polyrhythm is made up of two contrasting rhythms (three equally spaced notes over two equally spaced notes) that are played simultaneously. We can build this polyrhythm by choosing one subdivision to act as a common denominator between the…
Do I Need an Attorney? Part 1: When to Expand Your Team
I was recently in a difficult situation with a business I was doing work for on a weekly basis. They owed me a considerable amount of money but had no intention of paying me for my services. After failing to convince…
Catching Up With… Good Tiger’s Alex Rüdinger
Since kicking down the door to the metal world with his jaw-dropping YouTube play-along videos more than six years ago, twenty-four-year-old journeyman Alex Rüdinger has filled in on tours with Monuments and Revocation and recorded and toured with his still-breathing…
Steven Tyler’s Sarah Tomek
I was first convinced of Sarah Tomek’s eminent skills on a night when our bands were both on the bill at Asbury Lanes, a bowling alley turned rock club in Tomek’s hometown. Yup, the same one immortalized in the title…
Dixon - Little Roomer Drumset
The Little Roomer, which we have for review here, is more of an expansion pack that can be utilized to turn a standard cajon into a full drumset. The Little Roomer comes with a 7x10 rack tom, a 10x13 floor…
Paal Nilssen-Love
Imagine an organic synthesis of Elvin Jones, Art Blakey, and Milford Graves poured through a thoughtful post-hardcore player, and you have Norway’s Paal Nilssen-Love. A busy musician who divides his performances between solo concerts and support roles, Nilssen-Love brings the…
Istanbul Mehmet - X-Ray Series Cymbals
For drummers favoring more unusual cymbals, there’s the Xperience line, which includes the X-Ray options we have for review. All X-Ray cymbals are perforated to increase trashiness and decrease decay, and they are available with three different patterns of holes.…
Provenance - 6x14 Jaguar XJS Snare
English company Provenance has carved a unique niche in the collectors market, offering high-quality snare drums built out of reclaimed materials from retired high-performance machines. With a stated mission to build the ultimate historical musical instruments, Provenance is careful to…
Up & Coming - Jonathan Barber
“In New York you always have to bring your ‘A’ game,” says the rising jazz star. So far, his report cards would make the elders proud. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Tycoon - Hex-Jam Shakers, Udukere, and Small Fiberglass Shekere
Bangkok-based Tycoon has been making top-notch percussion instruments since 1983. Everything it produces is manufactured in its own factory, which allows the company to keep a keen eye on quality. Tycoon is also dedicated to using the most environmentally responsible…
David Gilmour's Steve DiStanislao
Steve DiStanislao is the drummer of choice for legendary artists such as Crosby, Stills and Nash, Kenny Loggins, Don Felder, and his current employer, David Gilmour. “I tour with many different artists, and I play varying genres,” says Steve. “I…
In Memoriam: Remo Belli 1927–2016
Remo Belli started out like most of us: a humble drummer, looking to make a difference on the scene. Even he could not have predicted that, in time, that scene would encompass all of humankind. In this special tribute, players…
