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.
Concepts: When To Lead And When To Follow
There are three ways to keep time when you play with an ensemble. One is to lead, another to follow, and the third is something often referred to as “band time.??? Let’s take a look at each of these and…
Jazz Drummer's Workshop: Focus On Brushes
Practicing brushes is excellent for building strength in your wrists and fingers. It can help develop muscles and reflexes and also improves your control with sticks. With the exception of the closed roll, any pattern that you play with sticks…
Buddy Rich: Revisited
It was four years ago, the January, 1977 premier issue of Modern Drummer, that Buddy Rich graced our cover. Rich is back again, with comments that are inspiring and honest. This exclusive interview is filled with anecdotes tracing Rich's early…
Muse's Dominic Howard - On Tour & On Stage Making It Work On The Road
It’s the day before the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, and Muse—singer/guitarist/ keyboardist Matthew Bellamy, bassist Chris Wolstenholme, and drummer Dominic Howard—is on stage at New York City’s Walter Kerr Theatre, preparing for its U.S. television debut. The plan for…
Concepts - Showing Up: The Key to Success
A young drummer asked me the following question while I was conducting a clinic. "What is the most important thing I have to do to become a successful musician?" I answered, "Show Up!" He smiled and said, "There must be…
Rock Perspectives: A Practical Application of Flams
The exercises that follow will utilize two snare drum rudiments. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Mick Fleetwood - The Power Of Fleetwood Mac
At the helm of Fleetwood Mac, Mick Fleetwood is one of rock's most popular musicians. Fleetwood discusses his drums, the requirements of the recording studio and the importance of playing within your limitations to retain tension within the music. According…
Concepts: Drumming and Breathing
The concepts and methods presented in this column represent my own personal experiences. They are not intended to be the last word on the subject, nor should they be construed as the only way. All I can say for certain…
Rudimental Symposium: Alex Duthart: Close Up
Alex Duthart, renowned drum major from the Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band of Shotts, Scotland, is a leader in the field of pipe band drumming. Since 1953, he has led his drum carp to victory in the World Pipe Band…
Incubus's Jose Pasillas - On Tour & On Stage Making It Work On The Road
A year off for good drumming behavior: Incubus's beat-smith dives headlong into jazz technique during an extended band hiatus, and comes out a stronger rock player. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
JAZZ DRUMMER'S WORKSHOP - Triplet Fill Concepts Part 3
Welcome to the third and final lesson in our series on jazz-style triplet fills. This lesson continues with the three-over-four triplet concept and incorporates buzz rolls, double strokes, and paradiddles. In our first example, we’ll play the accents using the…
Talking Drums With Joe Cocuzzo
Having worked professionally since the age of 19, Joe Cocuzzo has an abundance of musical knowledge. His respect for and understanding of the drummer's position within the music has prepared him for affiliations with Buddy DeFranco, Gary McFarland, Don Ellis,…
Ed Greene: L.A. Studio Heavyweight
Ed Greene has the distinction of being one of Los Angeles' hottest studio drummers. Greene explains what it's like to work in the studios while trying to keep your personal musical goals alive, and what the responsibilities of a studio…
Morris Lang: N.Y. Philharmonic Veteran
We often think of orchestral musicians us stuffy and snobbish individuals who look down upon the rest of the musical world. If there is anyone to disprove this stereotype, it's Morris "Arnie" Lang, percussionist with the New York Philharmon TO…