June 2015 Issue – Volume 40 • Number 6

The Drumset Drag - Orchestration Options for Powerful and Melodic Textures

Rock 'N' Jazz Clinic The Drumset Drag Orchestration Options for Powerful and Melodic Textures by Powell Randolph In this lesson we’re focusing on orchestrating the drag rudiment, which is traditionally played on the snare, by moving the two grace notes…

Benny Greb

On The Cover Benny Greb There are very real ghosts that haunt every drummer’s subconscious: Am I really grooving? Do I sound confident enough at the kit? How well am I pushing or pulling the time? One of modern drumming’s premier…

Jamie Miller

Features Jamie Miller …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead is a drummer’s dream gig, largely defined by tribal tom pounding, unexpected rhythmic devices, and a sense of drama unrivaled in modern rock. Judging from his previous…

It's Questionable: E-Drums and Apartment Dwellers

E-Drums and Apartment Dwellers I live in a very old three-story apartment building with hardwood floors. I bought a Roland TD-20 drumkit for my son, but apparently the impact from the pads is finding its way into the apartment below,…

SJC - Maple/Brass Hybrid Snare

Product Close-Up SJC Maple/Brass Hybrid Snare A powerhouse drum combining the spray and bite of hammered brass with the warmth of maple. When I first started playing, choices for snare drums were a bit more limited than what you see…

June 2015 Issue – Volume 40 • Number 6

Dirk Verbeuren

Features Dirk Verbeuren He describes himself as meticulous. Anyone who’s a fan of his remarkably detailed drumming with Soilwork or the Devin Townsend Project—and there are many of you—will find no surprise there. But what you might not know is…

Drum Miking 101, Part 5: Multi-Mic Setup

Electronic Insights Drum Miking 101 Part 5: Multi-Mic Setup by John Emerich Over the past few months, we’ve explored miking a drumset in a studio environment by adding microphones one at a time. This article takes all of those concepts…

Catching Up With... Steve Smith

Catching Up With... Steve Smith Is there a harder-working man in the business? Following a world tour with tabla master Zakir Hussain, he’s got two new albums out and a third on its way. by Ken Micallef Featuring bassist Baron…

Catching Up With... Dave King

Catching Up With... Dave King Hot on the heels of two 2014 albums by the Bad Plus, The Rite of Spring and Inevitable Western, the drummer returns with something completely different. by Michael Parillo Have you ever brought a pair…

A John Bonham Foot Pattern

Rock Perspectives A John Bonham Foot Pattern Creative Ideas Based on the “Four Sticks” Ostinato by Powell Randolph Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham is considered by many to be rock’s greatest drummer of all time. He’s definitely one of my favorites,…

Vic Firth - Barrel 5A and 5B Drumsticks, Split Brushes, and Tala Wand Bamboo Slats

Product Close-Up Vic Firth Barrel 5A and 5B Drumsticks, Split Brushes, and Tala Wand Bamboo Slats Clarity, balance, and control are what’s up with these new implements. Always looking to fill voids in its catalog with products that drummers need,…

Maxwell Drums - Nesting Kit

Product Close-Up Maxwell Drums Nesting Kit Big, versatile tones in an ultra-compact package. If you’ve ever had to pack up your set and navigate city streets, stairs, and sidewalks, you might agree that bigger is not always better. It’s no…

What Do You Know About... Barry de Souza?

What Do You Know About...? Barry de Souza He was ubiquitous in British studios during the ’70s, a favorite of producers and artists for his elegance and efficiency—and occasionally for his ability to navigate some weird and wonderfully ambitious art-rock…

Paiste - Masters Dark Crashes and Hi-Hats

Product Close-Up Paiste Masters Dark Crashes and Hi-Hats Rich, warm, mix-ready tones from Switzerland’s super-consistent cymbalsmiths. The Masters series started in 2011 as a dozen ride cymbals, made from Paiste’s CuSn20-formula bronze and designed for use in a variety of…

Aaron Sterling

In an era when the concept of the studio drummer is constantly being redefined—and even questioned—the player who’s tracked for artists including Taylor Swift, Sara Bareilles, the Civil Wars, and John Mayer has made no bones about embracing the role…

Catching Up With... George "Funky" Brown

Five decades on, the legendary dance band Kool & the Gang was recently honored with a Soul Train Legend Award and given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One drummer has been there from the start. by Bob…

Focus on Elimination - The Key to Success

Photo by Miguel Monroy Concepts Focus on Elimination The Key to Success by Russ Miller Here’s one of the topics I get asked about frequently by other players. It probably stems from my work in pressure situations. From sight-reading live…

Traditional Percussion on Drumset

Around The World Traditional Percussion on Drumset Part 3: Timbales by Arturo Stable In a previous article (February 2013) I shared some of the history of the timbales and a few of the main rhythms of the instrument, and I…