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.
Daru Jones Soul-Hop and Rock-Hop Drumming
This month’s feature concludes Modern Drummer’s ongoing column called The Daru Sessions that started last year. In previous pieces we have focused on Daru’s gear, and his various musical and drumming influences. This month we conclude by talking about his…
Roland VAD507
Is it just me or are more drummers warming up to the idea of using electronic drums as their primary kit for use on stage, social media and in the studio? Even for die-hard acoustic drummers it is hard to…
Ready and Prepared
In reading this month’s Modern Drummer I saw a bit of a theme. When the time came, all of this month’s great drummers were ready and prepared for anything that the music world could offer. I often hear the question…
Let’s Face It...
Chinese New Year usually finds me seated at a large circular table in Hop Woo’s, a terrific dining establishment in West Los Angeles. This annual meal is organized by the wife of my longtime friend and drummer Peter Donald. We…
February 2023 - Volume 47 • Number 2
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GEWA G3 Studio Electronic Drum Kit
German musical instrument manufacturer GEWA was founded in 1925 in a region known for its rich musical history. In 2020, GEWA began developing digital drums as part of their drum division. The subject of this month’s product closeup is the…
TAMA ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF NEW STAGESTAR SERIES KITS
New for 2023, TAMA has announced the release of their new, super-affordable STAGESTAR drum kits. STAGESTAR provides a full sounding drum set with durable hardware and functional cymbals. 100% Poplar 6ply 7mm shells produce full, dynamic tones for each drum.…
Rogers 1960s Gold Louie Bellson and Sammy Davis Jr. Kit
This Rogers kit was originally owned and used by Louie Bellson in the 1960s. Noted drum historian and drum shop owner Steve Maxwell once owned the kit, and he provides the following description: the kit features two 14X24 bass drums,…
The Art & Challenge of Teaching
I am writing this on the last day of 2022, in preparation for my last semester of teaching full-time at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. Why am I leaving such a coveted job? The…
Phil Seamen: Percussion Genius, Legendary Rebel, and Born Raver By Peter Dawn
One day in late 2022, my phone rang, it was drum industry stalwart John DeChristopher telling me that fellow drum industry vet Colin Schofield was trying to get in touch with me. I emailed Colin only to learn about a…
AJ’s Swampy Outlaw Kit
The most recent Kit of the Month comes to Modern Drummer from AJ Newton, who is the drummer for Nautical Rock Band Rusty Shipp based out of Nashville, TN. Michael explains, “Back in 2019 Michael Outlaw of Outlaw Drums built…
Jerry Shirley’s Humble Pie Ludwig Roses Set
You never know what you’ll find on Craigslist. What initially looked like the crappiest set of drums I’ve ever seen, turned out to be one of the greatest and most iconic rock and roll drum sets of our time with…
Understanding the Language of Music A Drummer’s Guide to Theory and Harmony
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 organized and easy to understand…
Persistence
As I read this month’s Modern Drummer, I see a common theme, persistence. Unfortunately, as I look around the musical world (and the world in general,) I see less and less of it. There seems to be a lot of…
