December 2018 Issue – Volume 42 • Number 12
On 01st Dec 2018
Articles in December 2018
On Relaxation - An In-Depth Study to Develop Consistency
When executing individual stroke types, it’s important that our approach remains consistent no matter what type of stroke is played. It’s very easy for drummers to be more aggressive when playing a downstroke, or rapidly pull away from the drum…
In the Studio with Travis McNabb
When not touring with top modern country acts Sugarland and Frankie Ballard, this Tennessee transplant tracks drums for artists around the globe out of his home setup.
Clint Schnase on Cursive’s Vitriola
The original drummer for the biting Nebraska indie group rejoins them in the studio for a raucous homecoming.
Session Great Nir Z
When it comes to gear, Jerusalem-born/Nashville-based session drummer Nir Zidkyahu, whose ultra-precise, intense pocket can be heard on hit records by pop/rock great John Mayer, alt-rock legend Chris Cornell, and modern country superstar Blake Shelton, isn’t too particular, as long…
Roland - TD-17KVX V-Drums
A game changing mid-level kit with increased expressivity, improved pads, and highly effective practice tools.
Aaron Sterling’s Sound of Sterloid, Volume II
“I do almost everything at my place now,” says top L.A.-based session drummer Aaron Sterling. In addition to recording about fifteen songs per week for artists and producers around the world, Sterling has created five online master classes that focus on…
An Enduring Kit and an Unforgettable Time
This vintage 1963 Ludwig Hollywood set in an Oyster Black Pearl wrap comes to us from drummer Nelson Hawkins, who ordered it after paging through a Ludwig catalog in the early ’60s. The kit came with two 8x12 mounted toms,…
The 2018 Chicago Drum Show
The perennial percussion event once again serves vintage and modern drum lovers alike.
Drums: The Secret to Happiness
Last summer my family and I decided to move out of the house we’d been living in for thirteen years, and into a new one. Among other things, the old place didn’t have a basement, and the jazz-size drumkit we…
Quicksand’s Alan Cage
Quicksand drummer Alan Cage isn’t overly particular about his gear. “I’m not too attached,” he says. “But I don’t like deep drums, at least on the rack toms. I always play a 16" floor tom, but I don’t mind it…
Samba Rhythms - Part 1: The Importance of the Tamborim
Hello, and welcome to a new series on Brazilian samba drumming! It’s a great pleasure to be discussing Brazilian rhythms and my approach to this style on the drumset. Generally, I feel that Brazilian rhythms can be divided into three…
Drumset Ergonomics - Part 6: Positioning Secondary Suspended Instruments
In this final installment of this series, we’re going to address how to position the instruments that we only play five to thirty percent of the time, such as splashes, Chinas, cowbells, electric pads, additional rack toms, and auxiliary crashes.…
Mark Walker
The Berklee professor and well-traveled performer has made a career out of adapting ethnic rhythms to the drumset—and offering valuable advice on how to do that accurately and authentically.
New gear from TAMA, Zildjian, and Vic Firth!
Tama Classic Series Bass Drum Pedal With vintage design and modern functionality, the Classic pedal is designed to be light, responsive, and durable. Features include beater height adjustment, topside spring adjustment, a felt beater, an Easy-Tight hoop clamp, and a…
The Modern Drummer Guide to Reading Rhythms - Part 1
Part 1: Fundamental Elements of Music Notation
