December 2024 – Volume 48 • Number 12
On 01st Dec 2024
Articles in December 2024
Hand-Picked Vinyl December 2024
As the music world continues to see a resurgence in Vinyl (LP’s,) Vinyl Me Please (VMP) is curating and producing some of the best vinyl remasters and pressings around. They are scouring the history of recorded music for forgotten gems…
Our Favorite quotes from 2024
Every month we get to go through all the words in Modern Drummer and pull out our favorite drummer quotes. The musicians say it best, here are our favorite quotes from 2024. Jeff Porcaro explained it to me, saying, “Look,…
Vocabulary Development Essentials Part 4 - Hand and Foot Combinations with Flams
In last month’s edition, we explored the concept of enhancing your vocabulary through musical hand and foot combinations with diddles. This month, we’re diving into the world of flams, a powerful embellishment that will significantly elevate your drumming vocabulary and…
The Year’s Best of the Northup Drums Museum
Here at the Northup Drums Museum in Oneonta, NY, we specialize in vintage drums from the 1920s-70s, as well as collectible drums from today. All the drums are on display so you can actually play them! Our collection is always…
The Rhythm of One’s Life
Walking from one end of Milano Malpensa to the other, the sheer size of the airport terminal is as impressive as it is daunting. My Apple Watch tells me that I’ve already met my exercise goal for the day and…
ROLAND VQD106
The Quietest Electronic Set I’ve Ever Played In October of 2024, Roland announced an all-new addition to their V-Drum product line. The VQD106 Quiet Design kit claims to be the lowest playing noise set in V-Drum history. It comes ready…
2024 Modern Drummer Hall of Fame: Bill Ward
Bill Ward created a style of drumming within the music of Black Sabbath. We’re not going to get into the musical differences between heavy metal and hard rock in this article. Call it what you want… but that slow, sludgy,…
Mighty Bright NuFlex, BrightFlex, DuoFlex, and Encore Musician’s Lights.
Mighty Bright Lights have been around for a while, and any musician or performer that works in a darker environment has probably used them, I have had one in my stick bag for years (just in case.) But Mighty Bright…
2024 Year in Review
Each year, there are several superb events that showcase vintage, modern, and custom drums, as well as phenomenal cymbals, percussive effects, cases, and related gear. These gatherings aren’t just about gear; they’re vibrant hubs for learning and inspiration, offering master…
Frank Zummo’s Sum 41 Touring Kit
Photos by Jason Mehler Drums: SJC Custom Design: Sum 41 Heaven/Hell Maple Shells; 6.5x14 Mahogany Black on Black Snare w/Maple Re-rings, 6.5x14 SJC Goliath Bell Brass (backup,) 8x12 Rack Tom, 13x16, 14x18 Floor Toms, 4x20 UFO/Gong: Drum, 18x22, 18x22 Bass…
A Year in Podcasts
The Modern Drummer Podcast has featured many of the best drummers and artists in the game. Don’t sleep on it in 2025—subscribe on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts!
2024 Modern Drummer Readers Poll Results.
Another exciting year of drumming has passed, and it’s time for the 2024 Modern Drummer Readers Poll. Congratulations to all of the winners! Thank you for your drumming and contributions towards the history and evolution of modern drumming. Your recordings,…
Understanding the Language of Music : Chord Alterations
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 easy to understand way. It…
Out Now: Books
In Modern Drummer’s monthly Out Now column we review the best and latest drumming instructional books. Most recently we have also been reviewing the many books written about drummers’ lives. So many drummers have interesting stories to tell, and Modern…
Out Now: Recordings
Modern Drummer always enjoys spotlighting new recordings that have the drums at the center of their sound. These recordings in all styles might be drummer-led, or just include a high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performances from the drummer…
A Year in Reviews
2024 was a wild ride for gear reviews! From acoustic and electronic drum products and accessories to pro audio and software, I’ve learned a ton, and hopefully managed to share my insights in a way that was equal parts fun,…
2024: In Memoriam
The drumming community is a close one, our many shared experiences in drumming, our sacrifices for our artform, and our love of drumming establishes a bond that unites us all. When we lose a beloved member of our community, we…
Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” drummer, Bill Ward
This month, in honor of the legendary Bill Ward, I’ve transcribed the classic song “War Pigs” from Black Sabbath’s iconic second album, Paranoid. This song showcases Ward as a true pioneer of metal drumming. From beginning to end, it’s a powerhouse…
Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming: Five and Six Note Linear Cross Rhythms
In the new and revised edition of the Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming, Bobby includes nine new double bass drumming chapters. The new and expanded edition covers contemporary techniques such as bass drum double strokes, feet-only exercises, binary and ternary…
