June 2014 Issue – Volume 39 • Number 6

Steve Goulding

London’s historic ’70s pub-rock scene was the starting point. Today, forty years into his career, the drummer has left his mark on dozens of albums, tours with numerous hit groups—and now a popular Hollywood movie.   London’s pub-rock movement of…

June 2014 Issue – Volume 39 • Number 6

Jameo Brown

  To those who feel that the future of jazz is linked to its ability to absorb other styles, this drummer, who has worked extensively with leaders such as Bobby Hutcherson and Geri Allen, is beating a path full of…

Groove Freedom Part 1: One-, Two-, and Three-Note Permutations

Welcome to the first of three articles based on my new book, Groove Freedom. I wrote the book for my own practice after realizing how limited I was in certain grooves—in other words, how little “freedom” I had. Playing a…

Dubstep Drumming Part 2: Essential Tracks

In the last article we examined the various components used in dubstep, including the 2-step groove, the wobble bass, and the rewind. Now let’s take a look at some influential and real-world dubstep patterns and tunes. The following transcriptions are…

Syncopation Revisited Part 1: Basic Applications

This month’s Jazz Drummer’s Workshop features some of my favorite applications of the classic Ted Reed book Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer. Syncopation has been a staple since it was first published in 1958 and is regarded…

ZZ Top Tres Hombres

A heinous decision in the ’80s to remix ZZ Top’s classic early tracks didn’t totally diminish Frank Beard’s funky grooves, but it sure was a buzzkill. Fortunately, that call was reversible, and Beard’s beauteous beats were presented in all their…