January 2026 – Volume 50 • Number 1
On 01st Jan 2026
Articles in January 2026
PASIC50 Celebration
The Percussive Arts Society (PAS) is the world’s largest non-profit, music-service organization whose mission is to inspire, educate, and support percussionists and drummers throughout the world. Each year, they host an amazing event known as Percussive Arts Society International Convention…
Jenna’s Drums with Some Southern Charm
After meeting drummer Jenna Kopitske at the Music City Drum Show in Nashville, we were excited that Jenna reached out to us to show off her kit. Jenna’s Prizm Blue finish Pearl Export EXR Series Kit is beautiful. Her toms…
Progressive Drumming Essentials: Implied Metric Modulation Madness
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…
John Otto: Feeling Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
There aren’t a lot of drummers who bring aspects of rap and hip hop, rock and metal, and strong doses of jazz and swing to their drumming, but John Otto does. His time feel is the special sauce that makes…
The Social Groove of Change
Playing and creating music is a social activity. Both of this month’s feature interviews state the importance of playing music with people. It’s an important step in becoming a musician (not “just” a drummer.) Whether you are making beats with…
Allan Mednard: Always Looking Forward
Queens native Allan Mednard is one of a new breed of New York jazz drummers, but he talks and thinks like one of the old guard. He has studied, paid his dues, and is building a reputation of responsibility and…
Keyner Drum Key
How many drum keys do you own? After more than 40 years behind the kit, I’ve accumulated more than I can count. Across the endless variety of sizes, shapes, and materials, they all seem to share one common superpower: the ability to vanish precisely when needed most. The Keyner from DrumKeep seeks to change the odds when it comes to lost drum…
The Martial Arts of Drumming
The drum set covers a whole lot of physical space, more than most instruments. We must dance through it, like a painter’s brushstrokes. A fascinating fact is that our sound isn’t created by the tip of a stick hitting a…
New products from SJC Drums and Sonique
SJC Drums Marks 25 Years with Anniversary Kit and Snare To celebrate 25 years of custom innovation, SJC Drums has unveiled a striking limited-edition 25th Anniversary 3-piece maple shell pack and matching snare drum, available exclusively at Guitar Center. Handcrafted in Southbridge, Massachusetts, these…
Steve Gadd, Sublimation in Action
One would need to be the proverbial hermit living in a cave since the mid-1970s to have not heard the drumming of Steve Gadd. And one would necessarily be a grinch or a grouch to not appreciate the skill, power,…
UNBREAKABLE RHYTHM: My Journey through Music, Wellness, & Mental Strength
Tommy Lee, drummer for Mötley Crüe and solo artist, says: “The older I get, the more I actually realize, feel, and (sort of) digest, my sense of legacy and inspiration. To have inspired somebody this much, to have them achieve…
New Releases Featuring the Drumming of: Mike Buck and Fran Christina, Makaya McCraven, Billy Hart, Luther Rix, Carl Allen, Joe Farnsworth, Rudy Royston, Jeff McAllister, Kendrick Scott, Brandon Sanders, and Eric McPherson. And books by Rob Bowman, and Angel Bartolotta
Modern Drummer is spotlighting new recordings that have the drums at the center of their sound. These recordings might be drummer-led, or just include a high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performance from the drummer and/or musicians in the…
Evans Accessories: Gels, Rings, Patches, and Keys
Our friends over at Evans (by D’Addario) sent us a box full of fun to check out that included their Overtone Damping E-Ring Pack; Damping Gel EQ and Mini EQ Pods; Bass Drum EQ Patch; and an assortment of Drum…
Master Studies II: Control Studies with Fill-Ins
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,…
Scott Phillips’ Creed Tour Kit
Drums: DW Jazz Series Kit with Gold Hardware: 8x10 Rack Tom, 9x12 Rack Tom, 16x16 Floor Tom, 18x18 Floor Tom, 18x22 Kick Drum, 6.5x14 Brass/Nickel Snare, (2) spare 6.5x14 Brass Snares (not pictured.) Evans Drumheads: Snare Batter- Heavyweight, Snare Reso - Hazy 300 w/ 20 strand Blaster snare wires, Toms Batter - G2 Clear, Toms Resonant – G1 Clear,…
The New Breed: A Couple of More Melodies
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,…
Yamaha Recording Custom Snares: Birch and Brass, Wood and Metal
Yamaha Recording Custom Snares are considered by many to be some of the finest drums made for recording or live use. The attention to detail in any of Yamaha’s Recording Custom drums is second to none! The folks at Yamaha…
Gregg Bissonette, “Mars” from Gregg’s album Warning Will Robinson
This month, I have the great honor of shining the transcription spotlight on a fantastic drummer and an even better human being: Gregg Bissonette. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to see Gregg perform live and to watch him teach a full…
Bowling For Soup’s Gary Wiseman
After 30 years together, Bowling For Soup is going strong. Last year included an anniversary tour playing all the songs from A Hangover You Don’t Deserve and several appearances on the Warped Tour. This year includes a new tour with…
