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.
"Rock Steady" Demystified - Four Steps to Mastering an Advanced Funk Groove
Have you ever checked out Bernard Purdie’s beat on Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady”? And what about the classic drum break that includes Purdie’s signature hi-hat bark? That’s one of the most recognizable funk licks of all time, and we’re going…
Cymgard - Cymbal Accessories (Video)
The drum industry has plenty of cymbal accessories, including mutes, bags, and fancy felts. So what’s next? Cymgard thinks it has the answer, and the company sent us three cymbal mutes/edge protectors to check out: the Standard, the Lite, and…
Castle - Tapered Snares (Video)
Massachusetts-based craftsman David Cheney has developed a unique conical snare drum shell with function as its focus. The shell is created using solid wood staves and features a 14" batter side that tapers down to a 13" resonant end. TO…
GMS - Special Edition Series Drumset
Back in 1987, when Long Islanders Rob Mazzella and Tony Gallino joined forces to create the GMS Drum Co., there weren’t many companies offering custom drumsets that didn’t need some type of “doctoring” (bearing-edge work, hardware upgrades, etc.) in order…
Catching Up With... Corky Laing
During classic rock’s golden era, Corky Laing found great success with guitarist Leslie West and bassist Felix Pappalardi in the proto-metal band Mountain (“Mississippi Queen”), which he’s played with on and off for decades, and with West, Bruce & Laing,…
Catching Up With... Terry Silverlight
Terry Silverlight has covered vast territory as a drummer and composer for recordings, television, and film. As a sideman, he recently played on vibraphonist Dave Shank’s Soundproof, pianist Ted Brancato’s The Next Step—featuring bass great Ron Carter—and Bolero by the…
Driver's Seat - Understanding Phrasing
Because of the limitations of his instrument, the drummer need be concerned only with notes of two basic durational values. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Kenny Washington
Busy jazz drummer and longtime MD contributor Paul Wells—who we last heard from in his December 2012 Drummer to Drummer feature with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra’s John Riley—sits down this month with a man that many consider to be the…
Up & Coming - The Contortionist's, Joey Baca
This phenomenal young talent clearly takes the term progressive metal drumming at face value, pushing his playing in more and more compelling ways with each new recording. More proof of the amazing things that can happen when you give a…
Mark Stepro
He’s as likely to be seen rocking out on late-night TV as he is in war-ravaged conflict zones, playing the role of state-sponsored cultural ambassador. It’s all part of a career defined by balance—between preparation and inspiration, commerce and art,…
14 Reasons To Love The Doors' John Densmore
The original four-piece lineup of the Doors was together for around six years, from its formation in mid-1965 until the death of frontman Jim Morrison in July 1971 at age twenty-seven. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
John Colpitts
Toeing the line between rigid structure and utter chaos, the drummer for the long-running art-punk band Oneida—who’s also known by Kid Millions or by another of his “taken” names, Man Forever—bangs drums into infinity. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE…
Don't Make It Harder Than It Has to Be by Russ Miller
Leave Your Attitude at the Door by Russ Miller Strife happens in life. It’s almost a guarantee. It happens in every business, like when somebody gets a new position in a company and brings his or her own agenda. And…
Rufus Wainwright's Matt Johnson - On Tour & On Stage Making It Work On The Road
Brooklyn-based drummer Matt Johnson has kept busy the past fifteen years with a succession of fulfilling gigs that have seen him playing European stadiums, Lower East Side bars, and every kind of venue in between. TO READ THE FULL STORY:…
