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Peter Erskine on the cover of Modern Drummer magazine June 2016

Peter Erskine






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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.
March 2023:
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 are always seated side-by-side, which allows for plenty of conversation …


February 2023:
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 generous-sounding answer would be that I want to make room …


January 2023:
My Cup Runneth Over…

It’s been a good month. More precisely, it’s been one heck of a week. First, my wife returned home from being nanny and granny to our grandson in Italy while our daughter is busy filming a new show there. Much of the reason for her return (aside from my missing …


December 2022:
Life… Unscripted

There are busy spells and then there are very busy spells. I recently found myself in the middle of a “this job/that job/and another job” when things had been moving along quite calmly for some time. Suddenly, I was juggling spinning plates like that guy on The Ed Sullivan Show. …


November 2022:
What Drummer’s Don’t Like

There are reminders, and then there are painful reminders. I was on the receiving end of a most-unpleasant reminder recently concerning what I don’t like, and I thought it would be useful to pivot the negative experience into a teachable moment. The purpose of this month’s column is to spark …


October 2022:
“The Little Things”

First impressions can be deceiving, but they can also be quite revealing. When it comes to music, we will often form an opinion or judgement based on just a few notes’ worth of playing. Most recently, I auditioned a drummer at the university and motioned for him to stop playing …


September 2022:
Back to School

“School days, school daysDear old golden rule daysReadin’ and drummin’ and ‘rithmeticTaught to the tune of a signature stick …” Most of you may not be old enough to remember the tune, and my apologies for changing a couple of the words, but hey … that’s what (this) jazz (drumming …


August 2022:
The Next So-and-So!

I’m tempted to begin each of my new Modern Drummer columns by writing “With everything else that’s going on in the world…” because the unrelenting news cycles force me to question the relative importance of an artistic particular or a paradiddle. But since this is Modern Drummer and not Modern …


July 2022:
“Where Am I Going?”

More often than not, I preach precision while espousing specificity when it comes to expressing our ideas on the drumset. In simple terms, that adds up to, “saying what we mean and meaning what we say.” That approach, however, runs the risk of making a drummer’s fills predictable, copyable, and …


June 2022:
Peter Erskine-Lauren Ellis: Women in Drumming, Mentorship

This month’s Jazz Insights column focuses on my former USC student and teaching assistant Lauren Ellis. Her bio informs us that, “Lauren is a drummer, composer, and educator from Wellington, Aotearoa, New Zealand. There, she studied at the Te Kōki New Zealand School of Music under Lance Phillip and Roger …


May 2022:
My Manne, Shelly

Shelly Manne was one of my first drum heroes, and he remains a hero to this day. A swinging drummer in any context, he personified eclecticism while remaining a singularly unique musician. Shelly could do it all. Since the term “lick” carries negative connotations when it comes to discussing creativity, …


April 2022:
Going to the Movies, with Peter Erskine

Scene 1: Jam session, rehearsal, or a gig. Bandleader’s Line: Let’s play “Green Dolphin Street” … and… Drums, how about you play an intro? Spot Quiz: A.) Do you ask, “How long?”B.) Do you ask, “What tempo?”C.) Do you ask, “What kind of feel do you want?”D.) Do you just …


March 2022:
Putting Ideas Into Action

My dear old friend, the late John Abercrombie, used to say when drinking his favorite breakfast beverage, “You know, there’s nothing like a good cup of coffee in the morning … and this is nothing like a good cup of coffee.” Ha. But, humor aside, there IS nothing like a …


February 2022:
Words Versus Nuts and Bolts

I’m literally happy to be sitting in the jazz-drumming-column chair for Modern Drummer. It’s a well-worn seat that I’ve occupied from time to time over the years. If I stand accused of being too wordy, well, then I plead “guilty as charged.” It’s a tricky business putting licks into words. …


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 …


January 2022:
Ex Libris

“Ex Libris” means “from the library of.” There are many words whose first two letters are “ex:” excellence, excess, extra, extravagance, and expedience. And it would seem that much of our energies are expended towards adding one or another of these quantities to our “libraries.” It’s fair to observe that …


December 2021:
Peter Erskine

Excerpted from the January 1983 issue If Peter Erskine isn’t careful, he’s going to start giving jazz, musicians a good name. I mean, we all know about the reputation jazz players have with the general public, right? The stereotypical jazzer is perceived to be a sullen, somber and solitary figure.You …


May 2020:
Remembering Neil

Some of the worlds greatest drummers and industry members share their memories of what Neil Peart has meant to them.


November 2019:
Dave Weckl’s Master Plan

A monster debut from a monster talent, and the beginning of a series of game-changing fusion recordings as a leader. By 1990, Dave Weckl was the talk of the drumming world. A headlong dive into the New York jazz scene in the early ’80s yielded recognition from a variety of …


February 2018:
Led Zeppelin book, Carl Palmer DVD, Peter Erskine, Todd Sucherman, and more!

I’m a little anal about reading the introductions and prefaces of books before I even flip through the rest of the pages. Their purpose is to set a tone, establish the credibility and character of the writer, and encapsulate the importance of the book’s subject matter, and I want to …


January 1983:
Peter Erskine

If Peter Erskine isn’t careful, he’s going to start giving jazz, musicians a good name. I mean, we all know about the reputation jazz players have with the general public, right?


November 2017:
The Importance of the Offbeat

Different styles of music often share much in common, including the same grooves. In this lesson, we’ll take a look at offbeats and explore how they’ve been used in jazz and other genres.


August 2017:
Playing Melodically

Last month we studied a solo that trumpet great Freddie Hubbard played on the song “Make It Good” from the 1967 Duke Pearson album The Right Touch. I recommended listening to the solo to the point of being able to sing it before applying it to the drums. Here we’ll …


July 2017:
Playing Melodically – Part 2: Freddie Hubbard’s Solo on “Make It Good”

Last month we took a jazz melody, Charlie Parker’s “Billie’s Bounce,” and implied its melodic rhythm on the snare. This month we’ll phrase trumpet great Freddie Hubbard’s solo on “Make It Good” from the 1967 Duke Pearson album The Right Touch on the drums. First let’s recap some ideas for …


June 2017:
Playing Melodically – Part 1: “Billie’s Bounce”

In this new series I hope to present my thoughts and pass along some experience and insights on playing jazz. These lessons will largely deal with the symbiotic relationship between playing what the mind hears versus what the hands and feet know.


May 2017:
The 2017 Modern Drummer Readers Poll Winners

The universally lauded multi-genre legend joins Hall of Fame, another contemporary giant sweeps three categories, and Neil Peart returns.


October 1978:
Peter Erskine – A New Horizon
PETER ERSKINE 1

For those few who haven’t heard. Erskine has indeed found a new home, playing with the jazz-rock quartet Weather Report. The group members include Josef Zawinul. keyboards: Wayne Shorter, saxophone and Jaco Pastorius, electric bass.


June 2016:
Peter Erskine – Playing With Intent
Peter Erskine

Peter Erskine Playing With Intent Former Modern Drummer senior editor Rick Mattingly has probably spent more time in the legendary drummer’s presence than any other journalist. To this day, their conversations are illuminating, surprising, and, above all, inspiring.Peter Erskine’s career has been like a highway that is constantly under construction, …


March 2017:
Great 80s Drum Performances, Part 2: Jazz and Fusion

The ’80s might not be anyone’s first reference point for the golden age of jazz, but a closer examination reveals wonders under the surface. Sure, traditional acoustic jazz was no longer in favor, though some of the established innovators of the ’60s and ’70s were still playing at a high …


September 2011:
September 2011 – Volume 35 • Number 9

Taylor Hawkins, Adam Cruz, Ray Luzier, Peter Erskine, Steve Gadd, Jerry Shirley, Todd Sucherman, Carl Palmer, Shawn “Clown” Crahan, Antonio Sanchez, Gil Sharone, Dino Campanella, Sam Ulano


December 2010:
December 2010 – Volume 34 • Number 12

Susie Ibarra, Chad Smith, Will Calhoun, Jason Bittner, Allison Miller, Horacio Hernandez, Paul Wertico, Rod Morgenstein, Jeff Davis, Daniel Glass, Chris Pennie, Peter Erskine, Tommy Clufetos, Rexsell Hardy Jr., Harvey Sorgen, David Cossin, Rhani Krija, Ramon Sampson, Mark Zonder, Jerry Nolan, Bill Ward, Manu Katché, Michael Bedard


July 2007:
July 2007 – Volume 31 • Number 7

Jeff Ballard, Rob Bourdon, Mitch Mitchell, Darren Pujalet, Clyde Stubblefield, Nathan Followill, Derek O’Brien, Ian Matthews, Chuck Tilley, Peter Erskine, Virgil Donati, Adam Topol, Tim Alexander


November 2006:
November 2006 – Volume 30 • Number 11

Brad Wilk, Joe Morello, Atom Willard, Gene Hoglan, Tony Williams, Bun E. Carlos, Frank Katz, Michael Bland, Keith Carlock, Mark O’Connell, LaFrae Sci, Flo Mounier, Shawn Pelton, Phil Collins, Danny Carey, Nicko McBrain, Alan White, Peter Erskine


May 2006:
May 2006 – Volume 30 • Number 5

Taylor Hawkins, Jason McGerr, Mike Clark, John Wackerman, Peter Erskine, Mark Craney, Jamie Oldaker, Chad Sexton, Travis Smith, Tennessee Thomas, Brad Pemberton, Vinnie Fiorello, Ginger Baker, Paul John Jr., Ian Paice, David Garibaldi


September 2005:
September 2005 – Volume 29 • Number 9

Teddy Campbell, Brann Dailor, Tom Brechtlein, Ronnie Vannucci, Will Denton, Kris Kohls, Scott Travis, Ricky McKinnie, Wayne Fullwood, Aquiles Priester, Shakerleg, Stan Levey, Pierre Moerlen, Peter Erskine, Tommy Lee


October 2002:
October 2002 – Volume 26 • Number 10

Mike Bordin, Simon Phillips, Billy Cobham, Jerry Marotta, Peter Erskine, Carmine Appice, Ed Thigpen, Jeff Hamilton, Kenneth Schalk, Paul John Jr., Adrian Passarelli, Lynn Coulter, Grant Collins, Jose Pasillas, Danny Carey, Kenny Aronoff, Billy Kilson


June 2002:
June 2002 – Volume 26 • Number 6

Anton Fig, Mike Cosgrove, Butch Vig, John Dolmayan, Danny Carey, Marko Djordjevic, Steve Di Stanislao, Paul English, Billy English, Asa-Chang, Mike Fasano, Chris Adler, Roy Porter, Chris Vrenna, Peter Erskine, Aaron Comess


April 2001:
April 2001 – Volume 25 • Number 4

Billy Martin, Luis Conte, Tommy Stewart, Marco Minnemann, Vernel Fournier, Rob Bourdon, Jim Chapin, Scott Amendola, Mike Portnoy, Kirk Covington, Terry Silverlight, Karen Carpenter, David Garibaldi, Tony Verderosa, Ken Vogel, Peter Erskine, Osami Mizuno, Ron Spagnardi, Michael Miller, Lauren Vogel Weiss, Jeff Kersh


January 2001:
January 2001 – Volume 25 • Number 1

Tré Cool, Wuv, Nicko McBrain, Dave Krusen, Phil Ehart, Trey Gray, Steve Gadd, Joe Morello, Rod Morgenstein, Peter Erskine, Neil Peart, Mel Lewis, Roy Burns, Mark Parsons, Rick Van Horn, Tony Williams, Buddy Rich, John Bonham, Tito Puente, Alan Dawson, Gary Chester, Eric Carr, Larrie Londin, Art Blakey, Philly Joe …


July 2000:
July 2000 – Volume 24 • Number 7

Jeff Ballard, Nana Vasconcelos, Mel Lewis, Ustad Allarakha, Peter Erskine, Ricky Lawson, Don Alias, Danny Reyes, Jeff Fowlkes, Tommy Perkins, Chris Pennie, Vinnie Colaiuta, Jeremy Taggart, Mike Portnoy, Eddie Bayers, Roy Hanes


March 2000:
March 2000 – Volume 24 • Number 3

Taylor Hawkins, Milford Graves, Jimmy DeGrasso, Elaine Leighton, Jerome Dillon, Alan White, David Garibaldi, Steven Gillis, Ralph Peterson, Brian “Brain” Mantia, Nathaniel Townsley, Peter Erskine, Manu Katche, Milt Jackson, Bill Stewart


January 2000:
January 2000 – Volume 24 • Number 1

Dennis Chambers, Tony Royster Jr., Matthew Cross, Jaki Liebezeit, Johnny Kelly, Chad Taylor, Martina Axen, Gregg Bissonette, Omar Hakim, Alan White, Shelly Manne, Peter Erskine, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Chick Webb, Steve Gadd, Ringo Starr, Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, John Bonham


August 1999:
August 1999 – Volume 23 • Number 8

Chad Smith, Mike Mangini, Sammy Figueroa, Peter Erskine, Tyler Stewart, David Lauser, Linda Pitmon, Craig Randolph, Willie Green, Mike Portnoy, Phil Collins, Matt Chamberlain, Roger Odell,  Russ McKinnon, Chet Doboe, T. Bruce Wittet, Rick Van Horn, Frederick Bay, Daniel Glass, Ron Hefner, Matt Peiken


August 1998:
August 1998 – Volume 22 • Number 8

Gregg Bissonette, Martin Atkins, John Kamoosi, Gregg Bendian, John Blackwell, Rich Hoak, Charlie Watts, Nick D’Virgilio, Peter Erskine, Bruce Cox, Brian Jones, Forrest Williams, Joey Baron, Cozy Powell, Carlos Vega, Dennis Charles, Bill Bruford, Bun E. Carlos


August 1996:
August 1996 – Volume 20 • Number 8

In this Issue: Phil Rudd, Alan White, Dave Rowntree, Phil Selway, Virgil Donati, Cesar Zuiderwijk, Rene Creemers, Mark Mondesir, Paul Lytton, Fredy Studer, Allan Holdsworth, Paco Sery, Reinhard Flatischler, Nelson Miller, Atsuko Yamano, Pierre Favre, Peter Erskine, Dave Abbruzzese


October 1995:
October 1995 – Volume 19 • Number 10

In this Issue: Richie Hayward, Steve Smith, Peter Erskine, Stephen Perkins, Mike Portnoy, Gregg Bissonette, Kenwood Dennard, Rayford Griffin, Alan White, Fergal Lawler


November 1993:
November 1993 – Volume 17 • Number 11

In this Issue: Peter Erskine, Vikki Foxx, Pierre Favre


July 1987:
July 1987 – Volume 11 • Number 6

[wc-payicons-display] Table of Contents Peter Erskine Pg 16 Anton Fier Pg 22


July 1987:
July 1987 – Volume 11 • Number 6

In this magazine: Peter Erskine, Anton Fier, Charly Antolini, Michael Eurich, Dave Weckl, Kenny Aronoff, Rod Morgenstein, Alan Dawson & Steve Gadd


December 1985:
December 1985 – Volume 9 • Number 12

Tony Thompson, Nicko McBrain, Paul Wertico, Peter Erskine, Odie Payne Jr., Casey Jones, Morris Jennings, Jimmy Tillman, Kevan McKenzie, Philly Joe Jones, Papa Jo Jones, Vinnie Colaiuta, Mel Lewis, Steve Smith


June 1985:
June 1985 – Volume 9 • Number 6

Steve Jordan, Mickey Curry, Jerry Allison, Steve Smith, Mel Gaynor, Shelly Manne, Martin Drew, Wilby Fletcher, Peter Erskine, Paul T. Riddle, Rod Morgenstein


January 1994:
January 1984 – Volume 8 • Number 1

Papa Jo Jones, Slim Jim Phantom, Lee Crystal, Rod Morgenstein, Jackie Santos, Larry Mullen Jr., Billy Cobham, Bill Bruford, Rayford Griffin, Paul Jamieson, Peter Erskine, Neil Peart


September 1983:
September 1983 – Volume 7 • Number 9

Eric Carr, Fred Below, Denny Carmassi, Roy Brooks, Joe Chambers, Omar Clay, Fred King, Ray Mantilla, Max Roach, Warren Smith, Freddie Waits, Peter Erskine, Jerry Marotta, Ron Tutt


January 1983:
January 1983 – Volume 7 • Number 1

Peter Erskine, Chester Thompson, Jim Gordon, Tony Williams, Dennis Elliot, Vic Mastrianni, Tommy Aldridge, Andy Newmark, Butch Miles, Chet McCracken, Ralph Cooper, Sue Hadjopoulos, Tris Imboden, Gene Dunlap, Mike Baird, Ed Tuduri, Bill Ward, Michael Botts, Vinnie Colaiuta, Jim Keltner, Emedin Rivera, Roland Vasquez, Don Murray, Mat Marucci, Don Moye, …


November 1982:
November 1982 – Volume 6 • Number 8

Vinnie Colaiuta, Barry Altschul, Liberty DeVitto, William F. Ludwig Jr., Peter Erskine, Max Weinberg, Steve Jordan, Arthur Press, John Panozzo, Terry Bozzio, Robert Williams, Jim Keltner


October 1978:
October 1978 – Volume 2 • Number 4

Steve Gadd, Art Blakey, Peter Erskine



Posted: October 13, 2022

Category: News
Drumming’s Biggest Names To Play LIVE Tribute to Their Big Band Heroes

Seven All-Star Drummers Including Peter Erskine, Dennis Chambers, Russ Miller and Steve Smith will Perform October 20 and 21 HITKOR (www.hitkor.com) today announced its first-ever charity event which will take place over two days in mid-October. “A Salute to the Big Band Greats” will feature performances from all-star drummers Peter …


Posted: March 19, 2020

Category: On the Beat
MD Spotlight Subscriber Hal Howland: On The Beat

I really appreciated Billy Amendola’s Editors Overview in the November 2019 issue of Modern Drummer in which he asked readers to let the magazine and fellow subscribers know what we have been up to.


Posted: May 23, 2016

Category: Drummers, Multimedia, Videos
Claus Hessler Playing on “The Axis” With Bassist Stefan Hergenröder

In this video, German drummer/educator Claus Hessler, who’s featured in the June 2016 issue of Modern Drummer magazine, performs the song “The Axis??? with his duo. “This is my project with German bass player Stefan Hergenröder,??? says Hessler.


Posted: May 20, 2016

Category: Drummers, Multimedia, Videos
Claus Hessler 5/4 Drum Solo on “Thunderstorm” with Flux Trio

n this video, German drummer/educator Claus Hessler, who’s featured in the June 2016 issue of Modern Drummer magazine, takes a solo on the tune “Thunderstorm??? with his trio Flux at the Australian Drummer’s Weekend 2015….


Posted: April 28, 2016

June 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Peter Erskine
Category: Drummers, Issues, News, News and Events
June 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Peter Erskine

See what’s in the June 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Peter Erskine…


Posted: April 28, 2016

Category: Drummers, Issues, News, News and Events
June 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Peter Erskine

See what’s in the June 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Peter Erskine…


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: November 2, 2015

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
Count Basie/Tony Bennett Drummer Harold Jones

Harold Jones is a marvel. While some people his age are already living in retirement homes, the seventy-five-year-old drummer is busy globe-hopping with another over-achieving American musical icon, Tony Bennett….


Posted: June 30, 2015

Category: Drummers, Issues, News, News and Events
August 2015 Issue of Modern Drummer featuring Antonio Sanchez

See what’s in the pages, and where to order, the August 2015 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Antonio Sanchez!


Posted: March 6, 2015

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Multimedia, On the Beat, Videos
Drummer Blog: Gabor “Gabs??? Dornyei on Being Anything but Average

Some great things have happened in my career, but being featured in the current (April 2015) issue of Modern Drummer is a dream come true, especially as I’ve also just discovered that both MD and I were born in 1977….


Posted: February 25, 2015

Category: Multimedia, News, News and Events, Videos
Whiplash Bonus Clip: Star Drummers on Music Education

Here’s a clip from Timekeepers where Chad Smith, Kenny Aronoff, and Ryan Brown reflect on their drumming education….


Posted: December 10, 2014

Category: Clinics and Events, News, News and Events
News: Guitar Center’s 26th-Annual Drum-Off Finals Brings Together Legendary Drummers to Celebrate the Nation’s Best Undiscovered Talent

Five talented drummers from across the country have been chosen from over 5,000 drummers entered in more than 1,000 local competitions nationwide to compete as finalists in Guitar Center’s 26th Annual Drum-Off, the world’s premier drum competition….


Posted: October 29, 2014

Category: News, News and Events, The Showroom
DW Frequent Flyer Drumset

Drum Workshop has announced the addition of a new model to its line of Design Series drums, called the Frequent Flyer kit, co-designed with Peter Erskine. The travel-friendly set includes a shallow 12×20 bass drum, traditional 8×12 rack tom, 11×14 floor tom, and 5×14 snare drum….


Posted: October 24, 2014

Category: Album/Song Reviews, Drummers, Reviews
Dewa Budjana
Surya Namaskar

Get yourself some primo Vinnie Colaiuta right here, folks!


Posted: August 22, 2014

Category: Album/Song Reviews, DVD/Video Reviews, Drummers, Reviews
Don Grolnick
The Complete London Concert

Peter Erskine shines on this (almost completely) restored presentation of an all-star live event….


Posted: April 29, 2014

Category: Drummers, Issues, News, News and Events
June 2014 Issue of Modern Drummer Featuring Nate Morton of The Voice

See what’s in the June 2014 issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Nate Morton…


Posted: October 23, 2013

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Jeff Ryan

I’m honored to be contributing a blog to Modern Drummer’s website, because I consider this magazine to be the foundation as well as the living/breathing backbone of the drumming community….


Posted: July 31, 2013

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Darren Weiss of Papa

Hey everybody! It’s Darren Weiss here from Los Angeles, CA. I sing and play drums for Papa….


Posted: June 12, 2013

Category: News, News and Events
MD Columnist John Emrich Assists Peter Erskine With Multimedia Performance for KIN

The Kellogg Innovative Network’s “Etudes for Innovation, Opus 5??? event, which took place May 29, 2013 at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, featured Peter Erskine with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, led by Bob Mintzer. The show’s producer, Jeffrey Ernstoff, wanted to have Erskine perform a duet with Bob Mintzer on …


Posted: May 17, 2013

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Jamey Tate

My name is Jamey Tate, and I am a Los Angeles–based studio and touring drummer….


Posted: April 26, 2013

Category: Feature Stories, Lists
25 Timeless Drum Books

What makes a great drum book? There’s no single answer, as different books have been written to address a wide variety of styles and techniques. But judging by a recent poll in which Modern Drummer readers were asked to name their favorite volumes, a few characteristics stand out….


Posted: May 8, 2012

Category: News, News and Events
D’Arcus Curry, Angieszka Matusczak, and Karmi Santiago Announced as Winners of Hit Like A Girl 2012

The sponsors and supporters of “Hit Like A Girl 2012??? are proud to announce the winners of the first ever drumming contest for girls and women. (read more)


Posted: May 8, 2012

Category: Drummers, Lessons, MD Education Team
Modern Drummer Education Team Weighs In On: Practicing With a Metronome

The MD Education Team chimes in on the pros and cons of practicing with a metronome….


Posted: January 18, 2012

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Doug Yowell

I studied my heart out and began lessons with Peter Erskine when I was sixteen years old. He was as much a friend as a mentor. Peter not only taught me behind the kit but also took me to countless recording sessions to watch a true master working with all …


Posted: January 10, 2012

Category: Drummers, The Greats
Mel Lewis: A Quiet Fire

For big band great Mel Lewis, the drums were his easy chair and the band his hearth. He was the fire.


Posted: November 21, 2011

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
Neil Peart: Taking Center Stage

In a Web-exclusive addendum to MD’s December 2011 cover story, we continue our conversation with Rush’s Neil Peart, discussing, among other topics, “drum solo week??? on Letterman, Neil’s surprise appearance at the KoSA Drum Camp, and the new Taking Center Stage DVD.


Posted: October 31, 2011

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
Freddie Gruber

Right up until his passing on October 11, Freddie Gruber was a source of deep and important knowledge for many top drummers.


Posted: July 20, 2010

Category: Drummers, The Greats
Peter Erskine: Taste, Skill, And Artistic Ambition

Peter Erskine, one of the most articulate, enduringly popular drummers of the past few decades, has played drums since he was four, graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, and studied under famed percussion instructor George Gaber at Indiana University. He has appeared on over 500 albums and film …


Posted: June 16, 2010

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Bobby Deitch

I’m currently performing as drummer and musical director with an awesome band that pays tribute to the music of Ray Charles…


Posted: May 24, 2010

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Kevin Hogle of 500 Miles To Memphis

What’s up, MD readers! Thanks for taking the time to read this blog entry, and a huge thanks to Modern Drummer for giving me the opportunity to do so! My name is Kevin Hogle, and I play in a band called 500 Miles To Memphis. We hail from Cincinnati, Ohio, …


Posted: October 6, 2009

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
David Ashkenazy

I’m a drummer and professional musician, originally hailing from Southern California, and now successfully transplanted and living in Brooklyn NY…


Posted: July 7, 2009

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Fall of Envy’s Brandt Frenchman

I am Brandt Frenchman, and I’ve been a drummer for most of my life. I love all types and styles of music, although I’ve always gravitated toward the heavier rock side of things.


Posted: December 13, 2007

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Brian Kelley

It can be a difficult task putting together a top-ten list, as most musicians have extraordinarily large record collections. But I feel that every musician has a top-ten list, and it can define who you are as a musician….


Posted: May 12, 2004

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Update
Scott Neuman

Scott Neumann, born and bred in Oklahoma, combines formal and informal techniques of playing the drumset–to great effect. Neumann began performing as a child, graduated from North Texas with a degree in music education, and over a decade ago entered the sometimes harsh reality of the New York City scene….


Posted: May 12, 2004

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Darren Lyons — The Darren Lyons Group

Darren Lyons wasn’t in a rush to quit his day gig as a New York City club employee back in the early ’80s. One day Peter Erskine would be setting up his kit. The next it might be Steve Jordan or Al Foster. Then, at the end of the night, …


Posted: May 12, 2004

Category: Drummers, Education Team Members, Feature Stories, Update
Steve Fidyk

An impressive feature of Steve Fidyk’s drumming on the new CD A Perfect Match by The Taylor/Fidyk Big Band is the wide range of styles covered….



Posted: July 7, 2022

Category: The Modern Drummer Podcast
Episode 78: John DeChristopher Live From My Drum Room With Peter Erskine

John’s guest is the legendary Peter Erskine! Peter and John discussed Peter’s MD Legends Series Book (available now!), and numerous other topics including vintage drums, selecting ride cymbals, home recording and much more. They also talked about Peter’s upcoming induction into the PAS (Percussive Arts Society) Hall Of Fame in …


Posted: April 28, 2017

Category: Mike and Mike Podcast, Multimedia, Podcasts
Episode 90: Anika Nilles, Playing Melodically, Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Series, and More

In this episode, Mike and Mike discuss June cover artist, German drum star Anika Nilles. In the education segment, the hosts share some thoughts on how to play melodically on the drumset.


Posted: May 27, 2016

Category: Mike and Mike Podcast, Multimedia, Podcasts
Episode 43: Carter McLean, Flowing Between Subdivisions, MD 40th Anniversary Cherry Snare, and More

In this episode, Mike and Mike discuss their favorite drum clips they found online this week, and then they talk about their approach to flowing between subdivisions in solos and fills. The featured artist is Carter McLean of The Lion King, and in the gear review section Johnston gives a …


Posted: May 20, 2016

Category: Mike and Mike Podcast, Multimedia, Podcasts
Episode 42: Teaching Beginners, Claus Hessler, Doc Sweeny Snares, and More

In this episode, Mike and Mike discuss how they structure a student’s first few drum lessons, and they talk about German drummer Claus Hessler, who is featured in the June 2016 issue of Modern Drummer. In the gear review section, the hosts talk about some cool solid-shell snares from relative …


Posted: May 13, 2016

Category: Mike and Mike Podcast, Multimedia, Podcasts
Episode 41: Groove Construction, Jimmy Branly, Masterwork Cymbals, and More

In this episode, Mike and Mike discuss Cuban-born/LA-based monster drummer Jimmy Branly, who’s featured in the June 2016 issue of Modern Drummer. The hosts then discuss their approach to constructing a groove to a new song. Johnston demos the Modern Drummer 40th-Anniversary 3-ply snare, and Dawson discusses and demos the …


Posted: May 6, 2016

Category: Mike and Mike Podcast, Multimedia, Podcasts
Episode 40: Listener Questions, Peter Erskine, Kumu’s Limited Series Kits, and More

In this episode, Mike and Mike discuss June Modern Drummer cover artist Peter Erskine and answer a few listener questions. In the gear review segment, the hosts share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences with Finnish drum company Kumu’s new Limited Series maple and mahogany kits. The show concludes with picks …