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.
Strictly Technique - Hearing The Click On The "E"
In this lesson, we’ll work on shifting our perception of a metronome so that we’re hearing each quarter-note pulse as the second 16th note, or “e,” of each beat. Benny Greb has talked about using this concept to help improve…
In Memoriam - Jim Coffin
Coffin was born in Waterloo, Iowa, in 1931, and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). After playing professionally in Los Angeles, he returned to Iowa and taught high school starting in 1956. TO READ…
Hybrid Drumming Basics - 3 Contemporary Scenarios That Meld Electronics and Acoustics
Many of today’s most successful pop and hip-hop artists are using the sampled production textures heard on the recordings alongside a live drummer whose responsibility is to augment and add excitement to the stage show. TO READ THE FULL STORY:…
Starting (or Advancing) at Any Age
I have the privilege of meeting players from all over the world. I also meet many people who are interested in taking up the drums but are torn about it. Many of the excuses for not starting to play are…
IN THE POCKET - The Collapsing Concept in 6/8
The legendary drummer and long-time member of Tower of Power, David Garibaldi, emailed me last year with variations on a lesson I wrote for Modern Drummer’s March 2015 issue. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
CONCEPTS - Drum Clinics
I had a conversation with an employee of one of the drum companies the other day. In this conversation, he said, “Drum clinics are a waste of time and money, and they don’t work anymore.” This struck me as very…
Remo Belli - How Time and Circumstance Gave Rise to the King of the Mylar Drumhead
Remo is one of the most well-known brands in the music industry. Its logo can be found in concert halls, school band rooms, recording studios, late-night venues, and even therapy sessions and hospital rooms. Remo Belli, founder of Remo, Inc.,…
Closed Roll Studies - Exercises for Developing Control of Multiple Rebounds
The closed roll, aka buzz roll, is a mystery to many drummers, and for good reason. This type of roll attempts to imitate the long tone that other instruments, like trumpet or violin, create by sustaining a single pitch. TO…
Bass Drum Development - 4 Focused Exercises for Building Raw Speed
One of the most common questions I get asked in clinics is, “How did you develop your foot speed?” And that is often followed by, “What pedal do you use?” I can promise you this: Bass drum speed has almost…
Swing Style 101 - Part 3: The Most Common Song Forms
To finish out the series, we’re going to prepare you for when it comes time to play some jazz tunes on the bandstand, by discussing the most standard forms used in this style. Understanding these forms is the key to…
Endorsements - Part 1: Let's Get Real
Endorsement contracts with instrument companies is a hot topic. Covering the subject has been requested so much, and I’ve been asked about it so often, that I decided to do a two-part column. To get the truth out, I enlisted…
Progressive Drumming Essentials - Part 5: Incorporating Odd Groups Into Grooves and Fills
One of my favorite things to do with quintuplets and septuplets is to create syncopated, angular-sounding grooves. Exploring this unusual territory can lend itself to establishing unique feels with a lot of rhythmic tension. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE…
Pearl - Wood Fiberglass Drumset
The innovative hybrid shell that defined the company forty-plus years ago is back…and better than ever. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Soultone - Noa Cymbal Pack
A beginner’s pre-pack with potential for professionals. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
