December 2024 – Volume 48 • Number 12
On 01st Dec 2024
Articles in December 2024
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 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: 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…
A Year In Rundowns
2024 featured 47 episodes of Modern Drummer’s popular “Tour Kit Rundown” YouTube series, highlighting some of the best professional drummers in the game and the gear they use on the road, performing for thousands of fans. Pictured throughout this gallery…
The 12 Week Year
There’s one problem with setting annual goals, a year is too long. How many people get fired up over their New Year’s resolutions, only to forget about them a couple weeks later? Have you ever set a goal and thought,…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
New and Notable December 2024
DW LIMITED EDITION PERFORMANCE BIRCH, ALESIS SETS AND AMPS, LATIN PERCUSSION SIGNATURE 8” COWBELL, SABIAN STRATUS CYMBALS, PROMARK HYBRID HOT RODS, ON-STAGE STUDENT PERCUSSION PACK, BOPWORKS’ STICK STATION Drum Workshop Limited Edition Birch Set and Snare The Drum Workshop, Inc. (DW)…
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 Concerts
Photos taken by Alex Kluft who photographed over 250 concerts in 2024. Thank you Alex! Gojira, BMO Stadium, 10.5.24 Dan Wojciechowski, Peter Frampton,Greek, 4.13.24 Hannes Van Dahl, Sabaton,YouTube Theater, 10.15.24 Steve Jordan, Rolling StonesSoFi Stadium-7.13.24 Charlie Benante, PanteraMSG, 2.22.24 Scott…
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…
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…
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…
Neil Peart Spirit of Drumming Scholarship Recipient Announcement
The Neil Peart Spirit of Drumming Scholarship, presented by Modern Drummer, is a tribute to the extraordinary legacy of Neil Peart, the legendary drummer of the iconic band Rush. Renowned for his technical precision, creative expression, profound lyrics, and long-lasting impact…
