
Rod Morgenstein

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

One aspect of drumming that I enjoy very much is playing around with time. I can remember listening to some amazing lick or passage, and being completely baffled by what I heard. Almost instinctively, I would rush to the turntable in an attempt to figure out note for note what …

Back in the ’50s, Jazz At The Philharmonic presented a “drum battle” featuring Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. To my knowledge, it was the first time they had appeared together. It was an exciting event, and it generated great interest in the drumming community. The format was one of challenges. …

In the previous two articles, we’ve concentrated on executing written exercises which have been designed to facilitate the playing of odd time. Another effective approach to learning is through listening and transcription. The following songs have one thing in common: They deal, in some way, with seven. However, the application …

The Dawn of the Dregs tour—an early-2018 trek that lasts through late April—marks the first time that the lineup from the Dixie Dregs’ pivotal second album and 1977 Capricorn Records debut, Free Fall, has performed together in over forty years. To re-create the prog-infused fusion that defined the mid-’70s lineup, …

When Rod Morgenstein was growing up he heard the saying, “There are musicians, and drummers.” Now, as the driving force behind the musically diverse Dixie Dregs, he lays that distinction to rest. The 27 year old is trained in piano and “legit” percussion as well as drums, and that training …

In the third part of this series (November ’09), we applied a four-against-three polyrhythm to either the ride cymbal or the bass drum, while the snare drum played the backbeats on 2 and 4. Now let’s take things a step further and incorporate a second limb into the mix.

“The concept of jam band totally applies,” the famed drummer with fusion greats Dixie Dregs says of his latest album with Jazz Is Dead, “meaning go for it, challenge yourself, and don’t be afraid to take chances.”

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 …

Keith Harris, Jimmy Bralower, Omar Hakim, Zach Danziger, Mark Guiliana, Rod Morgenstein, Brendan Buckley, Justin Peroff, Dosh, Marvin “Bugalu” Smith, Tanner Wayne, Bun E. Carlos, David “Fingers” Haynes

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

Dafnis Prieto, Kenny Aronoff, Deen Castronovo, Adam Deitch, Daniel Glass, J.M. Van Eaton, W.S. Holland, Bobby Crafford, Brian Viglione, John Dolmayan, Gene Hoglan, Julian Dorio, Hugh Grundy, Rodney Howard, John Bonham, Bill Stewart, Brandon Saller, Karl Brazil, Keith Carlock, Rod Morgenstein, Scott Rockenfield

Neil Peart, Steve Smith, John Riley, Rod Morgenstein, Stanton Moore, Billy Ward, Ian Paice, Rob Zgaljic, Kofi Baker, Orri Pall Dyrason, Steve Davis, Aaron Spears, Jimmy Chamberlin, Scott Travis

Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson, Terry Bozzio, Chuck Comeau, Earl Palmer, Billy “Thunder” Mason, David Garibaldi, Rodney Green, Chris Vrenna, Rod Morgenstein, Joel Rosenblatt, Sebastian Thomson, Billy Ward, Chuck Morris, Roger Taylor, Ronnie Vannucci, Scott Rockenfield, Brad Morgan, Terry Bozzio, Steve Smith, Ian Paice

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 …

Jimmy Chamberlin, Stanton Moore, Rod Morgenstein, Mike Portnoy, Bashiri Johnson, Brian Blade, Trilok Gurtu, Joey Jordison, John “Bermuda” Schwartz, Devon Glenn, Aled Richards, Ted Kirkpatrick, Zac Hanson, Mike Portnoy, Danny Carey, Dave Weckl, Omar Hakim

Adrian Young, Chad Sexton, Billy Cobham, Chet Doboe, Donny Brown, Phil Collins, Marc Quinones, Mike Portnoy, Travis Barker, J.D. Blair, TS Monk, Kenny Wolleson, Will Calhoun, Rod Morgenstein, Virgil Donati, John Tempesta, Narada Michael Walden

Matt Cameron, Zoro, Billy Ward, Dave Lombardo, Rod Morgenstein, Stephen Perkins, Roger Hawkins, Paul Wertico, Kevan McKenzie, John Otto, Prairie Prince, Lee Rudnicki, Ted Moore, Roy Hanes, Jay Schellen, John Riley, Joe Morello, Daniel Glass, Russ McKinnon, Mark Griffith, Bun E. Carlos, Jack Gavin, Herman Matthews

Virgil Donati, Ron Welty, Clem Burke, Ed Uribe, Rene Creemers, Matt Johnson, Nate Brown, Hamid Drake, Paul Culligan, Mel Brown, Rod Morgenstein, Chet Doboe, John Ramsay, Alan Dawson, Ted Bonar, Russ McKinnon, Lee Rudnicki, Ron Hefner, Roger Cohen, John “JR” Robinson, Bill Stewart, Ricky Lawson
Harvey Mason, Barrett Miller, Dave Weckl, Terry Bozzio, Will Kennedy, Eddie Bayers, Carey, Jo Jo Mayer, Jeff Hamilton, Glen Velez, Philly Joe Jones, Pete Sandoval, Dan Rieser, Kenny Aronoff, Harvey Sorgen , Ian Wallace, Petur Smith, Billy Lee Lewis, Rod Morgenstein

Rod Morgenstein, Billy Mason, Vernel Fournier, Chuck Burgi, Fred Holiday, Rocky Bryant, Joe Smyth, Louie Bellson, Gregg Field, Adam Cruz, Dave Abbruzzese, Mick Fleetwood, Paul Quinn, Kevin Haynes, Jonathan Joseph, Carl Palmer, Dave Weckl

In this Issue: Aaron Comess. Bob Moses, Simon Phillips, John “J.R.” Robinson, Rod Morgenstein, Marvin ” Smitty” Smith, David Garibaldi, Chad Smith, Clayton Cameron, Matt Sorum
In this: Rod Morgenstein, Joey Heredia, Andy Narell

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

Gregg Bissonette, Gary Husband, Woody Herman, Rod Morgenstein, Walter Keiser, Pedro Haldemann, Bryan Holmes, Anton Fig, Vinny Appice, Gina Schock

Joe Morello, David Uosikkinen, Barriemore Barlow, Rod Morgenstein, Mel Gaynor, Ndugu Chancler, Gene Chrisman, Ian Mosely, Neil Peart, Nicko McBrain

Rod Morgenstein, Kenny Malone, Tommy Campbell, Adam Woods, Phil Collins, Johnny Blowers, Ed Shaughnessy, Vinnie Colaiuta, Kelly Keagy

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

Roger Taylor, Rod Morgenstein, John VonOhlen, Nick Ceroli, Henry Adler, Jah Bunny, Steve Nesbitt, Drummie Zeb, Jim Brown, John Rae, Elvin Jones, Matt Frenette, Larrie Londin, Bill Bruford

Alan White, Nick Mason, Shelley Manne, Ollie Brown, Jimmy Bralower, Ed McClary, Frankie Banali, Carl Palmer, Rod Morgenstein, Eric Carr, Phil Collins

Larrie Londin, Chris Frantz, Keith Copeland, David Garibaldi, Nick Ceroli, Frankie Banali, Pheeroan Ak Laff, Narada Michael Walden, Rod Morgenstein, John Densmore, Louie Bellson, Carl Palmer

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

Jeff Porcaro, Clem Burke, Billy Higgins, Larry Blackmon, Phil Ehart, Rod Morgenstein, Russ Kunkel, Neil Peart

Elvin Jones, John Densmore, David Garibaldi, Neil Peart, Philly Joe Jones, Rod Morgenstein, David Samuels, Collin Walcott, Bobby Daniels, Roger Hawkins, Brent Brace, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Summer, Darrell Sweet, Michael Shrieve, Rick Marotta, Craig Krampf, Terry Bozzio, Tris Imboden, Kenney Jones, Don Baldwin, Aynsley Dunbar, John Panozzo, Stix Hooper, Bill …

Peter Criss, John Bonham, Rick Marotta, Mel Lewis, Art Blakey, Rod Morgenstein, Bill Bruford, Jack DeJohnette, Don Lamond, Peter Hoorelbeke
Posted: October 29, 2019

Steve Finn of the Offering
My name is Steve and I play in the Offering, a heavy metal band based in Boston, Massachusetts. I have been a subscriber to Modern Drummer since I was fifteen, so having the opportunity to appear here “On The Beat” is an incredible full circle moment for me.
Posted: November 24, 2017

On The Beat with Jacobi Gunter: Doing What I Love To Do!
Hello Modern Drummer universe, I am Jacobi Gunter from Columbia, SC and this my inaugural post. I am so hyped yet humbled to share my phenomenal journey with you all here “On The Beat.” I’ve been told that my first performance was at eighteen months old, but my earliest memory …
Posted: January 29, 2016

March 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer featuring Barry Kerch
See what’s in the March 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Barry Kerch.
Posted: January 29, 2016
March 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer featuring Barry Kerch
See what’s in the March 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Barry Kerch.
Posted: November 2, 2015
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: February 4, 2015
Modern Drummer Education Team Weighs In On: Learning Other Styles
We asked the members of the Modern Drummer Education Team if they felt that it’s important for all drummers to study Latin music and other musical genres, even if they don’t intend to ever perform those styles. Here’s what they had to say….
Posted: June 27, 2013
August 2013 Issue of Modern Drummer Featuring Zigaboo Modeliste
See what’s in the August 2013 issue of Modern Drummer magazine, featuring Zigaboo Modeliste…
Posted: April 26, 2013
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: March 22, 2013
MD Education Team Weighs In On: Ergonomics
Click here to check out what the MD Education Team members have to say about setting up your drumset for maximum results….
Posted: November 30, 2012
Jason Dana of Bend Sinister
My name is Jason Dana, and I’ve been playing the tubs since I was a young child. I’m involved in a project called Bend Sinister. Our latest LP is titled Small Fame.
Posted: May 8, 2012
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: January 20, 2012
25 Great Double-Drumming Tracks
Two drummers working it out, face to face—trading licks, contributing to a massive groove, spurring each other on—it’s one of the great musical traditions, and surely it goes back to the very invention of the drumkit at the beginning of the last century. This group of tunes focuses on tracks …
Posted: December 21, 2011
The Jelly Jam
Shall We Descend
Rod Morgenstein has survived the winds of rock ’n’ roll change for more than three decades. The latest from supergroup the Jelly Jam is a perfect example of how he’s done it.
Posted: October 31, 2011
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: November 15, 2010
Rod Morgenstein: Cross-Genre Ripping
Rod Morgenstein is best known as the blazing left-handed drummer with the influential fusion band Dixie Dregs and the pop-metal band Winger. Rod’s professional career began in 1975…
Posted: September 10, 2010
Paul Wandtke with Kill Hannah
Hey, MD world, I’m Paul Wandtke, and I’m here to tell you what I’ve been up to, as it’s been a while since I’ve spoken to my MD friends….
Posted: December 7, 2009
Influencer: Alan Dawson
Alan Dawson was an outstanding jazz drummer and a legendary teacher. Alan was known for his ingenious use of rudiments, his melodic approach to drumming, and an extremely advanced level of hand and foot coordination.
Posted: November 12, 2009
Jay & the Americans’ Rick Van Horn
It’s been a while since most of you have seen my name, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to let everyone know that I haven’t dropped off the face of the planet…
Posted: November 12, 2009

Jay & the Americans’ Rick Van Horn
It’s been a while since most of you have seen my name, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to let everyone know that I haven’t dropped off the face of the planet…
Posted: October 13, 2009
Gary Foster of The Sunstreak
What’s up, everyone! My name is Gary Foster and I play drums and percussion with the Sunstreak…
Posted: August 20, 2009
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: July 10, 2008

Bob D'Amico of The Fiery Furnaces
When asked to write something for this, I was thrilled, because I grew up reading MD and I honestly have to say that the magazine and its consistent content taught me so much about drums, drummers, and drumming technique.
Posted: July 10, 2008
Bob D’Amico of The Fiery Furnaces
When asked to write something for this, I was thrilled, because I grew up reading MD and I honestly have to say that the magazine and its consistent content taught me so much about drums, drummers, and drumming technique.