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.
Teachers Forum: The Gladstone Technique
The late William D. Gladstone was a multi-faceted percussionist who for many years worked in the pit orchestra of Radio City Music Hall in New York. Many well known drummers studied technique with him during the 40's and 50's. TO…
Rudimental Symposium: Back-sticking
Years ago, back-sticking was almost unknown in most drumming circles and when it was used, it was usually done in a rather simple way. Since that time, back-sticking has become more widely used and with this use has come some…
Strictly Technique: Understanding Flams
The ability to freely and easily embellish rhythmic figures with single grace notes and create "flams," is to me one of the earmarks of an accomplished snare drummer. Such accomplishment does not always come easily, but the following observations may…
Rock Perspectives - Theme And Variations
People ask me how I keep my ideas flowing and how I keep from getting stale and bored. This is a problem many drummers seem to have in common; a lack of ideas or concepts to use in their everyday…
South of the Border - The Cha-Cha
Today's drummer must be prepared to handle diverse musical situations. Knowing many different rhythms, and having the ability to play them musically, is one prerequisite to a successful career. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Joe Morello
Joe Morello is a drummer not often written about. The last album to feature Morello was the Dave Brubeck Quartet's 25th Anniversary Reunion. In the liner notes to that album Morello wrote, "It's nice to be remembered when you're old…
One The Cover - Bernard "Pretty" Purdie
What’s left to say about the R&B legend that hasn’t already been said? Some would declare that the outspoken drummer has pretty much covered it all himself, from his vast and unassailable list of performances on pop, soul, jazz, R&B,…
Alphonse Mouzon - Marked Man
Al Mouzon is a marked man. He has become stereotyped as just a jazz drummer in America, and has taken refuge in Europe by touring there exclusively. European audiences appreciate the versatility and quality of Mouzon's drumming and music. TO…
Drum Miking 101, Part 4: Four Microphones
A closer distance between the mics and the drums will give you a bit more definition and clarity. But be careful that you don’t get too close with the main overhead microphones, because you’ll start missing instruments. For this article…
Rock Perspectives - Coordination Development
How many of you like a challenge? In this Rock Perspectives series, I'm going to challenge not only your ability to play, but your ability to think as well. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Driver's Seat - Big Band Basics
In my last article, I gave nine rules for better big band drumming. As you may recall, they were: (1) Support, (2) Don't get in the way, (3) Cue (or Direct) the band, (4) Don't overplay (simplify), (5) Keep the…
Britt Walford - Slint's Rhythm Machine Revs It Up With Watter
His list of recordings over the past three decades isn’t vast, and his drumming charms aren’t the type that 32nd-note junkies fawn over. But his contributions to landmark albums by indie-rock kings and queens cannot be overstated. TO READ THE…
Jazz Drummer's Workshop - Feet First
We have all heard drummers with terrific hands but with a bass drum foot that could best be described as concrete. We look at the problem. The hands are playing off of the drums using rebound and the control of…
Rock 'N' Jazz Clinic: Double Bass Fills
The purpose of this lesson is to show you how to overlap bass drum notes at the end of a phrase into a crash at the beginning of the next phrase, in order to maintain a continuous flow of ideas…
