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Dom Famularo

Dom Famularo






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Note: Some MD articles are only available in pdf format. Those articles do not appear in this list. Subscribers to Digital and All-Access can view every Modern Drummer issue in their available formats. Browse all MD issues from our archive here.
July 2022:
In The Moment, the Art of Active Listening

In The Moment! This is where the magic is. One very important quality every musician requires to really be totally involved in musical expression…is the art of listening. This is a developed skill needed to be inside any song. To be in the moment…This means to be involved in communication …


April 2022:
Past Masters of Rock… Absorb, Adapt & Adopt!

I have the incredible honor of interviewing some of the greatest musicians in the world on the YouTube channel, “The Sessions Panel.” The purpose is to capture the story of these great artists for future generations to learn and be inspired. Each of their stories creates a clear path by …


March 2022:
Dom’s World of Drumming

I believe to really understand anything, you must be fully involved to experience the journey. There are many music and drumming events worldwide. These conventions, festivals, carnivals, and shows open our minds while opening the doors of opportunity! When I was 24, I heard about a music convention called NAMM, …


February 2022:
Gallery of Groove

Photos from the 2021 Modern Drummer Festival For the second year in a row, the global pandemic chased the Modern Drummer Festival to an online venue. But we were unbowed. Presented by the MD team and produced by Thom Mozloom’s crew at M Network, we were able to unleash one …


September 2020:
MODERN DRUMMER SEPTEMBER 2020 COVER
Dom Famularo
Dom Famularo

Dom Famularo is affectionately and deservedly known…


October 2019:
Advanced Techniques for Jazz Soloing

Creative Solo Applications Inspired by a Master I had the chance to study with the great Jim Chapin during the last four years of his life. (Jim passed away at ninety years of age on July 4, 2009—coincidentally, as he’s been referred to as the “Father of Independence” in the …


December 2015:
On The Cover – Dom Famularo
Dom Famularo

In the hundred or so years since our instrument was invented, the art of playing it has evolved significantly. And so has the way we teach it. Few people understand drumming history more fully than this month’s cover artist—and no one has shared that knowledge more widely and with more …


October 2007:
October 2007 – Volume 31 • Number 10

Mike Portnoy, Bill Bruford, Chris Pennie, Nick D’Virgilio, Phil Collins, Dan Weiss, Gavin Harrison, Virgil Donati, Mark Zonder, Ian Mosley, Dave King, Pat Mastelotto, Aynsley Dunbar, Joey Jordison, Dom Famularo, Scott Rockenfield


August 2005:
August 2005 – Volume 29 • Number 8

Roy Hanes, Chris “Daddy” Dave, Kenny Garrett, Gene Hoglan, Trey Gray, Gavin Harrison, Todd Sucherman, Jason Sutter, Bill Stewart, Bobby Jarzombek, Travis Barker, Stephen Morris, Phil Jordan, Michael Wagener, Jim Capaldi, Bill Stevenson, Scott Rockenfield, Dom Famularo


November 2000:
November 2000 – Volume 24 • Number 11

John Otto, Tito Puente, Nasheet Waits, Dom Famularo, Anton Fig, Ed Blackwell, Tico Torres, Samantha Maloney, Pat Mastelotto, Billy Conway, Jerome Deupree, Eric Bobo, Lou Dog, William Goldsmith, Paul Leim, Russ Miller, Tony Royster Jr.


October 1985:
October 1985 – Volume 9 • Number 10

Chris Parker, Chris Slade, Mickey Roker, Neil Peart, Sandy Gennaro, Eddie Bayers, Paul Goldberg, Larry Iatarola, Billy Jones, Ted Greenberg, Harry Himles, Mike Pultro, Dean Witten, Roli Garcia Jr., Tim Laushey, Jim Keltner, David Robinson, Dom Famularo, Bill Bruford



Posted: March 1, 2022

Category: News
Neil Peart Spirit of Drumming Scholarship Recipient Announcement

The Neil Peart Scholarship, in collaboration with Neil’s wife Carrie & Modern Drummer, is proud to present the first recipient of the Neil Peart Spirit of Drumming Scholarship, Maxx Rinkus. The scholarship, originally announced at the 2020 Modern Drummer Festival by Carrie Nuttall-Peart, provides Maxx with 52 weeks of drum lessons from …


Posted: October 20, 2021

Category: News
Modern Drummer Announces Neil Peart Spirit of Drumming Scholarship

Join Modern Drummer in celebrating the life and legacy of Neil Peart by inspiring an up and coming, young drummer with an incredible opportunity! In memory of Neil, with the support of his family, Modern Drummer is proud to present an up-and-coming drummer with the annual “Neil Peart Spirit of …


Posted: October 4, 2021

Category: News
100 Drummers “Drum Together” for WhyHunger Campaign

The mission is simple, but critical: One Beat. One Mission. End Hunger. WhyHunger—a non-profit founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin and radio deejay Bill Ayres to “change systems, policies, and institutions that perpetuate hunger and poverty in our world”—enlisted more than 100 drummers and percussionists to perform a …


Posted: September 1, 2020

Category: News
Modern Drummer Festival 2020

Modern Drummer is rebooting its world-famous Drum Festival on September 12 at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time with a live-streaming event honoring the late, great Rush drummer Neil Peart. Proceeds of ticket sales will benefit brain tumor research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The event, which will be produced and distributed …


Posted: August 20, 2020

Category: News
20th Annual Modern Drummer Festival featuring A Tribute To Iconic Drummer Neil Peart.

LiveXLive to Produce and Distribute Live Pay Per View Show Featuring Incredible Lineup Reaching over 150 Million Social Media Fans — Taylor Hawkins, Chad Smith, Cindy Blackman-Santana, Thomas Lang, Alex Gonzalez A global platform for livestream and on-demand audio, video and podcast content in music, comedy, and pop culture, announced …


Posted: March 17, 2020

Category: News, News and Events
COVID-19 Announcement From Modern Drummer

“We are a community of dedicated artists. As drummers we are a brotherhood worldwide. Modern Drummer is our global connecting voice. Let’s unite now and be one force for each other!”


Posted: July 9, 2019

Category: On the Beat
Mike Greenfield of Lotus

Hello drumming family! I grew up reading Modern Drummer magazine so it’s an honor to contribute to the publication. While growing up, I remember poring through the pages of the latest edition so adding to the conversation means so much.


Posted: June 13, 2019

Category: On the Beat
Gregg Potter of the Buddy Rich Band

Cathy Rich and I brought Buddy’s band back as a touring, living, breathing sixteen-piece big band. The group features alumni who played with the BR Band at some time in their careers and who now travel the world to bring Buddy’s music back to the masses.


Posted: August 29, 2017

Dave Weckl
Category: News, News and Events
Dave Weckl Launces New Online School

The all-new Dave Weckl online school includes HD video lessons with sound mixed by Dave, full play-along packages, and exclusive live footage from current tours with “lessons from the hotel room.”


Posted: March 21, 2017

Category: Clinics and Events, News, News and Events
Billy Cobham Bringing Art of the Rhythm Section Retreat to the Mesa Arts Center

Drumming legend and jazz fusion pioneer Billy Cobham will bring his highly acclaimed Art of the Rhythm Section Retreat back to the Mesa Arts Center for its second year, offering an immersive educational program for drummers, bassists, guitarists, and keyboard players.


Posted: July 29, 2016

Category: Feature Stories, Multimedia, News, News and Events, Videos, Web Exclusive
Backbeats – Woodstick Groove 2016

This past April, Groove Music for Youth and the Emerald Queen Casino held their annual nonprofit drumming charity event, Woodstick Groove, in Tacoma, Washington. Check out our highlight reel of the event below!


Posted: January 1, 2016

News: Famed Drum Clinician/Educator Dom Famularo Voices Main Character for Animated Series Musimations
Category: Drummers, News, News and Events
News: Famed Drum Clinician/Educator Dom Famularo Voices Main Character for Animated Series Musimations

Musimations is an animated series that simplifies the reading and playing of music. The show stars a zany grandpa named Tappy Pappy (voiced by Famularo) who teaches lessons in his music shop with the help of his insightful dog, Ruff….


Posted: January 1, 2016

Category: Drummers, News, News and Events
News: Famed Drum Clinician/Educator Dom Famularo Voices Main Character for Animated Series Musimations

Musimations is an animated series that simplifies the reading and playing of music. The show stars a zany grandpa named Tappy Pappy (voiced by Famularo) who teaches lessons in his music shop with the help of his insightful dog, Ruff….


Posted: December 31, 2015

Category: Clinics and Events, News, News and Events
News: Empowerment for Disabled Musicians Organization CandoMusos to Present at H.O.T. Zone During Winter NAMM 2016

CandoMusos was established to become the global voice for challenged musicians throughout the world. The aim is to promote and assist all musicians with any kind of disability by helping them bridge the gap between talent and limitations, while providing support and access to resources….


Posted: November 25, 2015

Category: Clinics and Events, News, News and Events
News: Sabian Education Network Hosts Events in Nashville and San Antonio

Continuing in its mission to assist drum teachers, the Sabian Education Network recently held events in Nashville, TN, and San Antonio, TX….


Posted: November 2, 2015

Category: Feature Stories
Dom Famularo’s Teachers List

Over the course of his forty-year career traveling the globe to teach, perform, and conduct clinics, Dom Famularo has interacted with some of the finest drummers and drum instructors in the world. The following list contains many of those names, organized by country/continent. If you’re looking for top-notch drum instruction, …


Posted: October 30, 2015

Category: Feature Stories, In the Studio, Multimedia, Product Close-Up, Videos
Video Demo: Handheld Tambourines

Whether you’re an aspiring session musician, a home studio owner, or the drummer in an original band that’s about to record its first album, it’s very likely that you’re going to be asked to layer some percussion over your drum tracks at some point in the process. While it may …


Posted: October 30, 2015

Category: Drummers, Issues, News, News and Events
December 2015 Issue of Modern Drummer featuring Dom Famularo

See what’s in the December 2015 issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Dom Famularo!


Posted: October 30, 2015

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Gearing Up, Multimedia, Videos
Video Tour! Gearing Up with Gary Clark Jr.’s Johnny Radelat

As much as we love checking out giant kits, it’s nice to see someone walk on stage in front of thousands of people and make some incredible music with nothing more than three drums. Gary Clark Jr. drummer Johnny Radelat welcomes us to the Iroquois Amphitheater in Louisville for a …


Posted: October 9, 2015

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
On the Beat With Pamela Lynn-Seraphine: Mental Fitness Through Neurodrumming Therapeutics

Hello, fellow MD readers! I’m Pamela Lynn-Seraphine, world percussionist, author, educator, and founder of Neurodrumming Therapeutics. I’ve been a lifelong reader of MD, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to finally share my story. Actually, back in 2004 I was featured in the magazine as an up-and-coming drummer, but …


Posted: October 2, 2015

Category: Clinics and Events, News, News and Events
News: Sabian Presents “Develop, Manage, and Grow Your Business???

Sabian Education Network (SEN) director Joe Bergamini and a distinguished panel will discuss issues facing drumset educators and how to develop, manage, and grow business….


Posted: August 14, 2015

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
On the Beat With Donn Garrett: Brilliant Mis-takes Made by Donn Garrett and Friends

What began as a water tank replacement in trade for studio time became a lasting relationship between London Bridge Studios and myself. At first, it was uncertain how many sessions there would be so I figured why not throw down some chops….


Posted: June 2, 2015

Category: Drummers, News, News and Events
News: Sabian Welcomes Joe Bergamini as New Education Consultant

Sabian recently announced that drummer/educator/author Joe Bergamini has joined the Sabian team as an education consultant….


Posted: February 18, 2015

Category: Clinics and Events, News, News and Events
News: KoSA Miami and SFCPA Second Annual Event Report

The second edition of the KoSA Miami/SFCPA weekend intensive workshop, a collaboration with the South Florida Center for Percussive Arts founded by Brandon Cruz, took place this past January. Registrants participated in classes of Brazilian percussion, African drumming traditions on drumset, Cuban rhythms, and advanced snare drum techniques in the …


Posted: September 30, 2014

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Drummer Blog: Gabor “Gabs??? Dornyei on Touring and Being True to Yourself

Hi there, Modern Drummer readers, it’s Gabor ‘Gabs’ Dornyei here from London, UK, and it’s great to be given the opportunity by MD to share some insights of my career with you….


Posted: September 9, 2014

Category: Clinics and Events, News, News and Events
19th Annual KoSA Camp Delivers Clear and Straightforward Sentiment: “I Just Wanna Drum!???

The 19th KoSA International Percussion Workshop, Drum Camp, and Festival celebrated its annual week of intensive learning, living, and playing with internationally celebrated drum and percussion masters this past July in the serene mountains of Vermont. KoSA co-founders and directors Aldo Mazza and Dr. Jolán Kovács relayed a simple message …


Posted: June 18, 2014

Category: Clinics and Events, News, News and Events
Jojo Mayer Confirmed for KoSA 19 This July

Jojo Mayer has been confirmed for the 19th Annual KoSA International Percussion Workshop, Drum Camp, and Festival…


Posted: April 16, 2014

Category: News, News and Events
KoSA Percussion Workshops

The 2014 South Florida Percussion Workshop/KoSA Miami will take place…


Posted: January 15, 2014

Category: News, News and Events
The Sessions Artist Panel at the NAMM Show with Exclusive Carmine Appice Interview

The Sessions (www.TheSessions.org) is a presentation designed to help artists sharpen their business skills. Items addressed include contract negotiations, entertainment law, marketing, self-promotion, image maintenance, and performance fundamentals. This year’s Sessions panelists, author/clinician Dom Famularo, entertainment lawyer Paul Quin, and drummer/educator Carmine Appice, will be sharing their experiences and knowledge …


Posted: August 12, 2013

Category: Clinics and Events, Drummers, News, News and Events
World’s Fastest Drummer Competition Heats Up Nashville

Tom Grosset of Toronto became the second person in history to break 1,200 single strokes (hits) in sixty seconds, at this year’s WFD World’s Fastest Drummer Extreme Sport drumming event held during the Summer NAMM Show in Nashville this past July. Grosset, who played 1,208 single strokes, broke the previous …


Posted: July 17, 2013

Category: Clinics and Events, News, News and Events
KoSA 18th International Percussion Workshop, Drum Camp, and Festival

The KoSA International Percussion Workshop Camp and Festival will take place July 23–28 at Castleton State College, nestled in the mountains of Vermont near the resort destination of Killington….


Posted: August 30, 2012

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Jayson Brinkworth

Hey there, Modern Drummer readers, Jayson Brinkworth here again from Canada. Things have been crazy busy up here with Aaron Pritchett and One More Girl gigs, as well as many sessions….


Posted: April 18, 2012

Category: Book Review, Drummers, Reviews
Open-Handed Playing, Vol. 2: A Step Beyond by Claus Hessler With Dom Famularo

A second volume in the Open-Handed Playing book/CD series focuses on linear concepts and the application of rudiments. “Opening up??? may prove extremely useful….


Posted: January 24, 2012

Category: Drummers, Education Team Members
Joe Bergamini

[MDEdTop]Joe Bergamini is currently the senior drum editor for Hudson Music, where he oversees book projects and acts as an associate producer on various DVD productions. He is the co-author of Pedal Control and It’s Your Move with Dom Famularo, and he is the author of Turn It Up & …


Posted: May 27, 2011

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
Remembering “The Chapin Magic”

Modern Drummer’s 2011 Readers Poll Hall of Fame inductee is the late drummer/educator Jim Chapin, who passed away in 2009.


Posted: July 20, 2010

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Dr. Julie Grocki Reminisces About Jim Chapin

A year has passed since Jim left us to enter the heavens on July 4, 2009. How proud he would have been, Dom Famularo and Joyce Jacobs of the Harry Chapin Foundation informed me, if he were here to know that I finally earned the title Dr. Julie Grocki after …


Posted: July 8, 2010

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Andrea Vadrucci: Super Mario Bros. YouTube Video

Hey, what’s up, MD world! What a great honor to be here today! My name is Andrea Vadrucci (aka Vadrum), from Italy. Some of you might know me for my drumming videos on YouTube—the Super Mario Bros. theme, and classical-music drum arrangements. I would like to take this opportunity to …


Posted: November 5, 2009

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Gloria Gaynor’s Swiss Chris

I am currently doing dates with Gloria Gaynor. I’m also playing drums for Bajah & the Dry Eye Crew…


Posted: August 20, 2009

Category: Drummers, The Greats
Remembering Jim Chapin

The venerable drum teacher passed away this July 4, leaving behind thousands of acolytes–and a million great stories. In this companion to the In Memoriam in the October issue of MD, we hear from some of Chapin’s many friends and drumming disciples.


Posted: March 3, 2009

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
David Jones

I just want to take this opportunity to share with you the amazing journey I’ve had over the last year–2008 was truly an unforgettable experience. After decades of playing in bands with other musicians and participating in international drum festivals, I decided to focus the last three years on solo …


Posted: April 17, 2008

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Derek Ries of Push Play!

When I was younger I would judge a drummer by the size of his kit and the length of his solo, but didn't everyone?


Posted: April 8, 2008

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Michael Mignano of The Canon Logic

My name is Michael Mignano, and I play drums for the Brooklyn-based band The Canon Logic….


Posted: February 4, 2008

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Dom Famularo

2007 was another jammed year of traveling. Fifteen countries, and many of them more than once! Here are some highlights….


Posted: May 12, 2004

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Update
Grant Collins

As the saying goes, it’s not what you’ve got, but what you do with it that counts. Australian drummer Grant Collins is proof. Many drummers have a big kit like his. But not many players can audiences amazed with their drum compositions for two hours straight. And Collins performs at …



Posted: March 10, 2022

Category: The Modern Drummer Podcast
Episode 61: Neil Peart Spirit of Drumming Scholarship Recipient Announcement

The Neil Peart Scholarship, in collaboration with Neil’s wife Carrie & Modern Drummer, is proud to present the first recipient of the Neil Peart Spirit of Drumming Scholarship, Maxx Rinkus. The scholarship, originally announced at the 2020 Modern Drummer Festival by Carrie Nuttall-Peart, provides Maxx with 52 weeks of drum …


Posted: December 2, 2021

Category: The Modern Drummer Podcast
Episode 58: Modern Drummer Updates and 2021 Festival Announcement

Hello everyone! Welcome to this week’s Modern Drummer Podcast. This week Billy Amendola and David Frangioni speak openly about the current state of the Modern Drummer brand. Joining us in conversation are world educator  Dom Famularo and M-Network TV/Film producer Thom Mozloom. It’s a candid fly-on-the-wall conversation that explains what’s …


Posted: November 20, 2015

Category: Mike and Mike Podcast, Multimedia, Podcasts
Episode 17: PASIC 2015, London Drum Show, Drum Depth, Frankie Banali, Tru Tuner, and More

In this episode, Mike and Mike catch up after a crazy week of traveling. Dawson is just back from PASIC in San Antonio, Texas, and Johnston is calling in from his hotel in London as he wraps up a European clinic tour. After discussing PASIC and the tour, the hosts go …


Posted: November 13, 2015

Category: Mike and Mike Podcast, Multimedia, Podcasts
Episode 16: Bass Drum Mic Positioning, Bill Bachman’s Quintuplets Article, Gerry Gibbs, Meinl’s Benny Greb signature Sand Ride, and More

In this episode, Mike and Mike discuss different ways to position a bass drum mic, and then they dig deeper into Bill Bachman’s article on quintuplets from the December 2015 issue of Modern Drummer. Next, they give some additional background on jazz drummer Gerry Gibbs, who’s featured in the December …


Posted: November 6, 2015

Category: Mike and Mike Podcast, Multimedia, Podcasts
Episode 15: Jim Riley’s Ghost Notes, Dom Famularo, Zildjian’s new K Custom Dark Crashes, Drum Muffling, and More

In this episode, Mike and Mike dig into a few of the stories in the December 2015 issue of Modern Drummer, including Jim Riley’s educational article on ghost notes, the cover story with global drumming ambassador Dom Famularo, and the product review of Zildjian’s new K Custom Dark 19″ and …