December 2025 – Volume 49 • Number 12
On 01st Dec 2025
Articles in December 2025
The Best of the Best Drum Books from 2025
There are many drum books released every year. And one might think that by now, there isn’t many more ways, or many new things to teach regarding drums and drumming. And if you thought that, you would be wrong! There…
Joe’s Offset Kits
This month’s Modern Drummer Kit of the Month comes to us from Joe Bellia, drummer for The Weeklings and Southside Johnny. This is Joe’s offset bass drum set up which allows him to use the left pedal from his double…
Rhythmic Vocabulary Development, Part 8: Exploring 15/8
For drummers who have followed this Rhythmic Vocabulary Development series exploring meters like 7/8, 9/8, 11/8, and 13/8, this final chapter brings us to one of the most open and fascinating meters yet—15/8. At first glance, it looks daunting. But…
MODERN DRUMMER’S 2025 READERS POLL
Another exciting year of drumming has passed, and it’s time for the 2025 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,…
Steely Dan, “Josie,” from Aja, Jim Keltner drums
This month, Modern Drummer is proud to induct Jim Keltner into the Hall of Fame! When I heard the news, I jumped at the chance to transcribe Jim’s masterful performance on Steely Dan’s “Josie.” The groove he lays down on this…
2025 Modern Drummer Hall of Fame Inductee: Jim Keltner
During this Christmas season, when you are being bombarded by Christmas music, listen for Michael Buble’s version of “All I Want for Christmas” and bask in the groove of Modern Drummer 2025 Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Keltner. That is…
A Year In Reviews
Surrounded by innovation (and more than a few cardboard boxes), I’m reminded of just how busy 2025 has been for drum gear. From tools that simplify, software that repairs, instruments that spark creativity, and accessories that have earned a permanent…
2025 Year in Drum Shows
In 2025, NAMM came back in full force, and there were amazing drum shows in Nashville and Chicago. Back in California, Drum Workshop and Guitar Center collaborated on a DW Factory Day complete with tours, clinics, and special Guitar Center…
A Year In Reviews
As the year 2025 begins to become just another memory, my mind reflects on all the really cool products that came across my desk for review. I’m often asked why I don’t do negative reviews. The answer is simple: I…
The Two Objectives: Clarity and Trust
‘If the band trusts you and you are clear, you can’t lose.’ As drummers so much is vying for our attention. What cuts through the noise is keeping the two objectives front and center: clarity and trust. If your ideas…
The New Breed: Melodies to be played with the Systems
Gary Chester’s groundbreaking book The New Breed is legendary. The book, and Gary’s teaching methods are deeply intertwined, it is a lifelong commitment of dedication, study, and development. Gary Chester’s Systems, Reading Exercises, Advanced Systems, Advanced Reading Exercises, Composite Systems,…
A Year in Concerts
Photos taken by Alex Kluft who photographed over 230 concerts in 2025. Thank you Alex! Chad Smith, Eddie Vedder’s Eartlings, Ohana, 9.26.25 Billy Cobham, Blue Note, 3.18.2 Jason Marsalis, N.O. Jazz Fest, 5.3.25 Zigaboo Modeliste-N.O. Jazz Fest-5.4.25 Adam Reed Ice…
Master Studies II: Control Studies, Accents on the Last Note, and First and Middle Notes, of the Triplet
As a follow-up to Joe Morello’s legendary Master Studies book, he released Master Studies II in 2006. Joe was a masterful teacher and helped many great drummers with their musicality, technique, and touch. Joe was also masterful at creating exercises,…
Thanks to Jack and Chick: One of the Best Days of My Life
In 2009, I interviewed Jack DeJohnette for the Percussive Notes and Modern Drummer. Jack and I met in the afternoon before a trio concert he was playing with Chick Corea and Bobby McFerrin. I arrived to find Jack’s black Sonor…
Progressive Drumming Essentials: Advanced Beat Displacement
Progressive Drumming Essentials is a collection of articles originally written for Modern Drummer magazine. They are exactly what the title says, PROGRESSIVE drumming essentials. This series of articles, and the book that contains them all, represent a great deal of…
Touring and Remembering Jack DeJohnette
Touring can be glamorous and exciting. It is also hard work. Taking a music show on the road is always a challenge and a chore. When one is fronting one’s own band, “the road” is especially daunting. How we respond…
2025: A Year In Tour Kit Rundowns
ACDC / MATT LAUG SLIPKNOT / ELOY CASAGRANDE COLLECTIVE SOUL / JOHNNY RABB DEFTONES / ABE CUNNINGHAM JANET JACKSON / J ROD SULIVAN JOHN HOFFMAN / PRIMUS KING GIZZARD & THE LIZZARD WIZARD / MICKEY CAVS KOFI BAKER LIMP BIZKIT…
Donn’s Favorites of 2025
Wow!! I’m constantly amazed at how so many extraordinary drums keep finding me. I really don’t go looking for them, but they just seem to keep turning up. 2025 brought some truly exceptional drums. When Modern Drummer asked me to…
NEW EVANS ACCESSORIES, PROMARK 4 PACKS, LUTEFISH UPDATES, JK HOOVES, YAMAHA ACOUSTIC AND ELECTRONIC DRUMS, ROLAND V-DRUMS 3 AND 5 SERIES, MORGENSTEIN TOOL’S WING THING PRO, ALESIS UNVEILS THE NITRO ULTIMATE.
Evans Pull Cord Drum Key and ProMark 4-Packs Tired of struggling with drumhead changes? Swapping them out has never been easier, thanks to the all-new Evans Pull Cord Drum Key. This latest innovation from EVANS is quick, easy-to-use, transportable, and built to last through countless gigs and…
