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.
Jeremy Dutton: The Power of Community
The recent tradition of jazz drummers from Houston, Texas is a long and always growing list. Among them has been Sebastian Whittaker, Chris Dave, Eric Harland, Kendrick Scott, Jamire Williams, and now Jeremy Dutton. Jeremy has been on the New…
Michael “Cavs” Cavanagh: The Rhythmic Force Behind, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
Michael “Cavs” Cavanagh, the drummer of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, has been captivating audiences around the world with his explosive drumming and dynamic rhythms. As the backbone of one of the most innovative and genre-bending bands of our…
Pat Steward: Making Adjustments with Bryan Adams
You might know drummer Pat Steward’s name, but you’ve definitely heard his drumming. Pat’s relentless drive on iconic Bryan Adams songs like “Kids Wanna Rock,” “Summer of ‘69” and “One Night Love Affair” makes them jump out of the speakers.…
Drum Workshop’s New Hybrid Purple Core Shells, Serious Low-End with Serious Durability
Drum Workshop’s John Good has been experimenting for years with a hybrid shell idea that would provide the lowest fundamental tone from a drum shell without sacrificing strength. After much experimenting, he finally succeeded. That prompted DW to send Modern…
New and Notable
Lauten Audio Snare Mic Family-owned microphone maker, Lauten Audio, has announced the release of Snare Mic — a purpose-built FET condenser microphone designed explicitly for use on snare drums. At only 4.2” in size, Snare Mic is optimized for use…
Nick Mason’s Solo Tour Set
Drums: Drum Workshop. Custom Painted by Katy Hepburn (Recreation of 1973 Ludwig Kit influenced by Katsushika Hokusa) Bass Drums: 20” and 22 “. Toms: 10”, 12”, 13”, 14”, 16” , 18”. Snare: DW Edge 14” Cymbals: Paiste. Prototype 8” Micro…
Drummers Make the World Go ‘Round
This year marks the 400th anniversary of the Avedis Zildjian Company. Founded in 1623, Zildjian is the oldest musical instrument company in the world as well as the oldest company in the USA. Zildjian has a great past because it…
Beneath the surface. Under the hood. Inside the mindset. Revealing the surprising facts…of Modern Drumming!
That’s what Modern Drummer is about today! After nearly 50 years of Modern Drummer, what is left to say about stickings, snares, cymbal choice, and sound? Most of it has been discussed many times over. Frank Zappa said, “Writing about…
Greta Van Fleet’s Danny Wagner, Climbing the Mountain of Modern Rock
Photo by Alex Kluft The glory days of rock music are believed to be over and done with, but that may not be the case. One band has defined what it means to be a modern-day rock band. Greta…
GADD: A LIFE IN TIME, The Story Behind the Book
The origins of Hudson Music’s new book, GADD: A Life in Time, a complete history and analysis of Steve Gadd’s storied career as a drummer, go back awhile. Over forty years, in fact. Sometime in the early 1980s, a relatively…
The Teacher Learns Twice
“One heart, one mind, one groove.” –Rick Lazar, Samba Squad Drummers around the world have something no other instrumentalists have, we’re one big tribe, one that supports and shares like no other. As soon as you meet another drummer, the…
The Bass Drum Owners Manual: Applying the Ankle, Leg, and Down Stroke to Consecutive Doubles and Grooves with Triplets
In past month’s we have detailed Michael Packer’s techniques of ankle, leg, and down strokes with the hi-hat and the bass drum feet. This month we will look at the applications of these strokes to playing consecutive doubles and…
Fill-In Studies
In previous issues of Modern Drummer, we have printed the first three parts of the “Stone Killer.” Joe advanced the idea of those endurance exercises with his Fill-In Studies These are not “drum fills,” instead they are endurance exercises built…
Understanding the Language of Music, Chord Inversions
Modern Drummer founder Ron Spagnardi wrote an excellent book called Understanding the Language of Music, a Drummer’s Guide to Theory and Harmony. This book spells out the basics of theory and harmony in a very easy to…
