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January 2018 Issue – Volume 42 • Number 1

When he took over the drum chair with Dweezil Zappa more than four years ago, Southern California–based drummer Ryan Brown had to expand his setup in order to accommodate all of the sounds required in the extensive catalog that the guitarist was pulling from, which comprises mostly compositions by his father, Frank.
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Articles in January 2018

SJC - Paramount Series Shell Pack

A professional-quality, affordably priced kit designed to exceed nearly any working drummer’s needs.

by Michael Dawson
Nov 30, 2017

Drum Design Knowledge, Part 3: The Snare Bed

We need to be experts at our jobs, and knowing our tools is a part of that. I always put together my rig for tours or gigs, and then take suggestions from my tech on how to make the setup…

by Russ Miller
Nov 20, 2017

The Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins

As any recording artist will tell you, part of the fun of heading into a project with a new producer is not knowing exactly what sonic pathways you’re going to find yourself exploring, or just what the final result is…

Story by Ken Micallef | Photos by Alex Solca
Nov 30, 2017

One Beat Better - Timbre Jam

A practice pad or a woodblock? You decide!

by Brian Hill
Nov 30, 2017
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“A Little Better All the Time”

This month’s featured kit comes to us from Edward McCarthy of West Springfield, Massachusetts, who recently purchased this vintage 1970s Ludwig set. McCarthy explains that the drums, which were originally covered in a wine-red wrap, had seen better days. But…

Modern Drummer
Nov 30, 2017

Get Good: Listening

As a teenager in high school, I practiced classical piano for two hours a day. I could play really difficult music—as long as it was notated. I ran into trouble when it came to playing music with other people, because…

by Elizabeth Walsh
Nov 30, 2017

Velocity and Energy Shifters

8th-Note Paradiddle Transitions

by Bill Bachman
Nov 30, 2017

The New Pornographers’ Joe Seiders

Hundreds of stories have appeared in MD over the years with drummers talking about the skills that helped them land a particular gig. This typically ranges from a knack for supporting songs with creative, unobtrusive playing to the ability to…

Story by Patrick Berkery | Photos by Alex Solca
Nov 30, 2017

Linear Drumming Fundamentals

Defining the Concept

by Joel Rothman
Nov 30, 2017

What Album Features Your Favorite Drum Tone?

Drummers have long lauded and attempted to duplicate certain distinct tones from records that span a variety of decades and genres. John Bonham’s powerful, booming tone with Led Zeppelin, Elvin Jones’ thunderous onrush with John Coltrane, and Stewart Copeland’s dry…

Modern Drummer
Nov 30, 2017

Jon Epcar

Jon Epcar’s master plan didn’t involve drumming on Broadway. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Epcar went to a high school with a strong music program that included graduates like saxophonist Kamasi Washington. So the drummer got the bug and…

Story by Ilya Stemkovsky | Photos by John Fell
Nov 30, 2017
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Jaimoe

The 2017 deaths of Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks and singer/keyboardist Gregg Allman hit the rock world pretty damn hard. But few could have felt the loss more than the man who was there from the very beginning.

Story by Robin Tolleson | Photo by Kirk West
Nov 30, 2017

Paul Koehler With Silverstein

Hot off the release of a new record, the heavy hitter propels his tireless rock band around the world with a never-stop attitude.

Story by Willie Rose | Photo by Daniel Hadfield
Nov 30, 2017

Create Your Own Success

Before, During, and After the “Big Gig”

by Jim Riley
Nov 30, 2017

Rhythmic Conversions, Part 6: Funk Grooves and the Half-Note Triplet

In this lesson we’ll superimpose a new tempo over an existing pulse using a half-note triplet, and we’ll manipulate the subdivision to create funk grooves in the implied pulse. Be sure to practice these patterns with a metronome and work…

by Steve Fidyk
Nov 30, 2017

Dream - Energy Series Additions and Dark Matter Eclipse Ride

Big, all-purpose plates and a clean, quick dual-finish ride.

by Michael Dawson
Nov 30, 2017

Live Vibes

Having somewhat recently moved to northern New Jersey, I’ve been enjoying the opportunity to check out some of the jazz clubs that have long defined New York City culture. Although some of the more prominent venues have moved from their…

by Willie Rose
Nov 30, 2017

Promark - Classic 5A FireGrain Drumsticks

Fire-hardened for increased durability.

by Michael Dawson
Nov 30, 2017
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Focusrite - Scarlett 18i20 Audio Interface and OctoPre Dynamic Mic-Pre Expansion Unit

A clean and simple sixteen-channel recording setup that sounds great and won’t break the bank.

by Michael Dawson
Nov 30, 2017

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