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 way. It is an excellent book for drummers looking to learn about the language of music beyond drumming, and further their musicianship. This month we will start to reprint the parts of Ron’s book here in Modern Drummer for everyone to read and learn. Here is how Ron introduced his book and subject (with a couple of my small additions.) Have you ever noticed how many of the world’s most influential drummers have a deeper understanding of music, and some experience on another instrument? Take, for example, the piano skills of Jack DeJohnette, Gary Husband, and Philly Joe Jones. Then there’s Elvin Jones, Jim Black, and Dave Grohl’s guitar playing… […]

February 2023 Issue