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.
From The Past - Profile Of A Legend: Dave Tough
Almost without exception, every drummer that has left a mark in the jazz world, will tell you that to some degree, they were influenced by Dave Tough. Who was Dave Tough? TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
Jazz Drummer's Workshop: Basic Brush Technique
Brushes, like sticks, are instruments of motion in time. It is motion in time which produces sounds and rhythms in time. Smooth, relaxed motions produce smooth, flowing rhythms. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Peter Erskine - A New Horizon
For those few who haven't heard. Erskine has indeed found a new home, playing with the jazz-rock quartet Weather Report. The group members include Josef Zawinul. keyboards: Wayne Shorter, saxophone and Jaco Pastorius, electric bass. TO READ THE FULL STORY:…
Art Blakey - The Eternal Jazzman
Two days before Art Blakey was to end a week-long engagement at Blues Alley in Washington, D.C., I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with the legendary drummer. Blakey is a simple man of simple words who exudes love…
Complete Percussionist: The Beginning Timpanist: Part 2
Complete Percussionist The Beginning Timpanist: Part 2 by George Frock ROLLS. One of the more difficult techniques to develop is that of producing a sustained sound. Much practice must be done to ensure a feel for the proper roll speed.…
Strictly Technique: Towards More Musical Practice Routines
Many drummers and teachers seem to feel that a mechanical exercise, repeated an ungodly number of times, is the cure-all for a particular technical problem (weak left hand, sloppy doubles, whatever.) TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
Shop Talk: Tuning Your Snare Drum
A common complaint among many drummers is excessive snare drum rattling and buzzing when striking another drum in the set. Another familiar complaint is, "my snare drum just never sounds crisp enough." Bear in mind that there will always be…
Drum Soloist: Elvin Jones
Elvin Jones needs no introduction to drummers. He reached prominence in the early sixties by way of his pioneering rhythmic concepts behind the late, revered tenor saxophonist John Coltrane. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Ed Shaughnessy: Swinger On Staff
Ed Shaughnessy has been playing drums since he was 14 years old in his native New Jersey. By 19, he was working with George Shearing at New York's Three Deuces. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
John Guerin - Stretching Out
"I want to create a feeling to a mass of people instrumentally, one that permeates their inner self, that gives them a feeling. We don't have lyrics to rely on and that makes me feel the best," states drummer John…
Joe and Jeff Porcaro: Like Father, Like Son
Surprisingly enough, much of the drumming heard in today's commercial media is aptly executed by a distinguished pair of performers, both of the same family, but of two different generations. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Rock Drummers Of The 80's
As we move into a new decade, certain trends in contemporary music have already become apparent. To find out more about rock music of the 80's and the style of drumming that it incorporates, we have interviewed Clem Burke of…
Drum Soloist - Tony Williams: Solo on "Seven Steps to Heaven"
Tony Williams: Solo on "Seven Steps to Heaven TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
