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.

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Exercises in African-American Funk “Mangambe” Part Two

In Modern Drummer’s ongoing introduction to Jonathan Joseph’s book Exercises in African American Funk: Mangambe, Bikutsi, and the Shuffle; This month we will continue with Jonathan’s explanation of a unique African groove, Mangambe. We will continue to explore some interesting…

By Jonathan Joseph
May 31, 2023

Master Studies Eighth Notes with Flams

Last month we learned about an often-ignored sound of drumming called Flat Flams. This month we will continue with a study of playing (the more common) Flams. Both sounds are useful on both the snare drum and drumset and are…

By Joe Morello
May 31, 2023

Understanding the Language of Music Key Signatures and Scales

Modern Drummer founder Ron Spagnardi wrote a very educational book called Understanding the Language of Music, a Drummer’s Guide to Theory and Harmony. This book presents the basics of theory and harmony in a very organized and easy to understand…

By Ron Spagnardi
May 31, 2023

Christian McBride

We all know the old saying, “Drummers don’t hire drummers, other musicians hire drummers.” So it makes sense to listen to other musician’s opinions of drummers. It doesn’t take much to get bassist Christian McBride to discuss drummers. As a…

By Mark Griffith
May 31, 2023

Rufus “Speedy” Jones’ Slingerland White Marine Pearl double bass kit

Rufus “Speedy” Jones earned his nickname while playing for the big bands of Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Rufus was never an overly subtle player; he could always be counted on to light a fire under other players. Rufus used…

Modern Drummer
May 31, 2023
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The Groove of Sarah Jones

For Sarah Jones, playing drums and grooving is a lifelong commitment. Her most recent gig has her rubbing shoulders with music royalty — whether it’s working out vocal parts with Stevie Nicks for a special version of “The Chain,” grooving…

By Mark Griffith
May 31, 2023

May 2023 - Volume 47 • Number 5

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Modern Drummer
Apr 30, 2023

1930-39 Leedy Butterfly Girl Trap Kit with Rolling Console

The year is 1930, the place is Bridgeport, Conn. Composer and drummer Oscar F. Knablin plays this set of drums at the Fox-Poli Theater. How do we know this? Oscar was kind enough to write this information on the inside…

By Tim Northup
Apr 30, 2023

The Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming: Double Strokes

In the new and revised edition of the Encyclopedia Of Double Bass Drumming, Bobby includes nine new double bass drumming chapters. The new and expanded edition covers contemporary techniques such as bass drum double strokes, feet-only exercises, binary and ternary…

By Bobby Rondinelli and Michael Lauren
Apr 30, 2023

Flam Studies

In all of our learning, we (hopefully) concentrate of the creative use (and sound) of flams. However, in our desire to play the “perfect” open and fat flam sound, we often ignore the (also unique) sound of “flat flams.” These…

By Joe Morello
Apr 30, 2023

April 2012 Issue – Volume 37 • Number 4

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Modern Drummer
May 15, 2023

June 2023 – Volume 47 • Number 6

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Modern Drummer
May 31, 2023
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Inside Scorpion Percussion

Modern Drummer had a chance to sit down and talk about Scorpion Immortal Series sticks with owner Doug “Smitty” Smith and one of Scorpion’s endorsers Pepe Magaña of the LA-based metal band, Kyng. We talked about the stick business and…

Modern Drummer
Apr 30, 2023

Mike Portnoy The Winery Dogs and the Power of III

Mike Portnoy must be the busiest drummer in the business. He is an active touring and recording member of no less than ten different bands, and he does some sideman work. In the 12 years since he left Dream Theater…

By Mark Griffith
Apr 30, 2023
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