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.
Jonathan Schang
Features Jonathan Schang District 97 and its one-of-a-kind drummer/bandleader steer modern progressive rock to some very unlikely places. Of course, it never hurts one’s sense of adventure when a couple of classic-prog heroes offer their emotional—and vocal—support. Story by Will…
Steven Wilson's Craig Blundell
During his rise to the top of today’s prog scene, the ever-adaptable electroacoustic drummer handily dealt with every physical and technological challenge thrown at him. The only real roadblock, it turns out, came from within. TO READ THE FULL STORY:…
Slipknot's Jay Weinberg
When we last spoke with the drummer, in 2009, he’d recently proven his skills by filling in for his father on tour with Bruce Springsteen, slaying it night after night. Today Max’s kid is very much his own man, and…
A Different View - Steven Wilson
A Different View Steven Wilson The modern-prog giant has the skills and musicality to manipulate sounds like it’s no one’s business. Which makes it all the more wondrous—and honorable—how little futzing he actually does with the drum tracks on his…
In Memoriam - A.J. Pero
In Memoriam A.J. Pero On March 20, while on the road with Adrenaline Mob, longtime Twister Sister drummer A.J. Pero suffered a fatal heart attack while asleep on his tour bus. He was fifty-five. According to Twister Sister frontman Dee…
In Memoriam - Lenny DiMuzio
In Memoriam Lenny DiMuzio When Lennie DiMuzio died this past March 7 after a long battle with cancer, the phrase “end of an era” was truly appropriate. During his decades working at Zildjian and then for Sabian, DiMuzio defined what…
Build a Beat! A Step-by-Step Approach to Creating Interesting Grooves
Basics Build a Beat! A Step-by-Step Approach to Creating Interesting Grooves by Rich Redmond Over the years, my experiences as a teacher have taught me to always start simply. I like to build a strong foundation with a student before…
Nickel and Chrome Plating: What's the Difference?
It’s Questionable Iam looking to buy a nice 6.5×14 brass snare to use as my primary drum for studio and live applications. I really like the clean, shiny look of chrome, but I notice that a lot of studio drummers…
Grooving in Form: AABC with Mike Johnston
Rock ‘N’ Jazz Clinic Grooving in Form AABC by Mike Johnston In our previous lesson (July 2015), we learned how to use the simple song form AABA to create some hip triplet-based grooves. This month we’re going to push the…
Swing Style 101, Part 1: Avoiding the 1
Jazz Drummer’s Workshop Swing Style 101 Part 1: Avoiding the 1 by Justin Varnes Chances are, not many of us launched into a career in drumming after hearing a Papa Jo Jones record and asking our parents for a set…
Product Close-Up - C&C Maple Gum Drumset
I sat down behind a C&C kit for the first time about three years ago. It was a beautiful luan mahogany Player Date setup, and it was one of the warmest and best-sounding drumkits I’ve ever played. If I were…
Falling Rocks - A Primer on One of Drumming's Most Powerful Fills
The term “falling rocks” refers to a very powerful fill concept made famous by legendary rockers like Carmine and Vinny Appice, John Bonham, Cozy Powell, and Tommy Aldridge, and it’s often used by contemporary metal, prog, and fusion drummers. TO…
The Cumbia - Drumset Adaptations of a Traditional Colombian/Panamanian Rhythm
Around the World The Cumbia Drumset Adaptations of a Traditional Colombian/Panamanian Rhythm by Steve Rucker and Carlomagno Araya Cumbia is a musical style that comes from Colombia and Panama and has a rich and diverse history. It’s closely connected to…
Progressive Drumming Essentials, Part 3: Polyrhythmic Patterns
Rock Perspectives Progressive Drumming Essentials Part 3: Polyrhythmic Patterns by Aaron Edgar Last month we learned some of the theory behind polyrhythms, along with how to play these patterns in their most basic form. The next step is to learn…
