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.
Jordi Radnoti: The Pressure of Being Prepared
Jordi Radnoti’s drumming is rooted in preparation and trust. Trust in the work, the music, and herself. After coming up through drumline, local bands, and a wide mix of styles, she learned early what it actually takes to operate at…
Luigi Paraventi: Precision, Patience, and the Next Generation
For Luigi Paraventi, momentum didn’t just arrive, it arrived with preparation. At just 20 years old, the São Paulo born drummer has already stepped into professional situations that demand authority, precision, and trust. He’s carrying himself with a calm that…
“Amber” by 311 from the recording From Chaos, drummer Chad Sexton
This month’s transcription takes a dive into this month’s cover feature interview Chad Sexton’s laid-back groove on the 311 song “Amber.” It’s a deceptively simple and deeply felt part that is built entirely on restraint, groove, and phrasing. Chad settles into a relaxed,…
Silent Drum Practice
The drum set is a great instrument, but it is also quite loud, which means you can’t play it anywhere and anytime without causing problems. I often hear from students saying that they couldn’t practice, or could only practice for…
The Swing Pulse
“It don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing.” Duke Ellington The swing pulse is that kinetic quality that you can’t quite put your finger on, the quality that you intuitively know when it’s there, or when it’s…
Progressive Drumming Essentials: Groove Contraction
Progressive Drumming Essentials is a collection of articles originally written for Modern Drummer magazine. They are exactly what the title says, PROGRESSIVE drumming essentials. This series of articles, and the book that contains them all, represent a great deal of…
Master Studies II: Developing the Single Stroke Roll (Some More…)
As a follow-up to Joe Morello’s legendary Master Studies book, he released Master Studies II in 2006. Joe was a masterful teacher and helped many great drummers with their musicality, technique, and touch. Joe was also masterful at creating exercises,…
The New Breed: Advanced Reading
Gary Chester’s groundbreaking book The New Breed is legendary. The book, and Gary’s teaching methods are deeply intertwined, it is a lifelong commitment of dedication, study, and development. Gary Chester’s Systems, Reading Exercises, Advanced Systems, Advanced Reading Exercises, Composite Systems,…
Snare Drums from the Northup Drum Museum
The snare drum originated from the medieval tabor, a rope-tensioned drum used for military signals, it became a distinct instrument with sharper, brighter, sounds through innovations like screw-tensioning gut and coiled metal snares. Throughout the Middle Ages it was used to…
2026 NAMM Pictorial
Efnote DrumsLiverpool SticksPearl Belle Meade Bourbon KitJohn Dolmayan Yamaha 2025 Tour KitJohn Dolmayan Yamaha 2025 Tour KitMeinlScorpion PercussionIstanbul Mehmet IMCKingzbeat KitSonorCanopusBritish Drum Co.Rick LathamJackson Daw, Vinny Appice, Andrew DawJason Gianni and Joshua SimondsChris Hart and Kirsten JensenTerry Baker, Rashid Williams,…
Morgan Rose’s Sevendust Touring Drums
Drums: Pearl Music City Custom Reference Pure Series in Red Sparkle: 18 X 22 Kick, 18 x 20 Kick, 9 x 10 Rack, 9 x 12 Rack, 16 x 16 Floor w/ legs, 16 x 18 Floor w/ legs. Snares: Brass 6.5 x 14 Snare, 6.5 x 13 Aux Snare. Cymbals: Sabian-…
Out Now March 2026
Modern Drummer is spotlighting new recordings that have the drums at the center of their sound. These recordings might be drummer-led, or just include a high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performance from the drummer and/or musicians in the…
Lowell “Sly” Dunbar
May 10, 1952 – January 26, 2026 Interview by Ken Micallef In 2018, MD chatted with the legendary Sly Dunbar about some of his most noteworthy performances, his influences, and quizzed the living legend on the qualities of a serious reggae…
