May 2017 Issue – Volume 41 • Number 5
On 01st May 2017
Articles in May 2017
What's Your Favorite Steve Gadd Track and Why?
Readers' Platform What's Your Favorite Steve Gadd Track and Why? For drummers, it could be hard, if not impossible, to pick out one standout track from the extensive and legendary career of this month’s cover artist, Steve Gadd. His feel…
Mastodon's Brann Dailor
As you read this, Mastodon’s brand-new album is dropping all over the world. As usual, fans will get exactly what they expect—plus a little something new. Story by David Ciauro Photos by Jimmy Hubbard Mastodon’s discography follows a linear pattern,…
Do I Need an Attorney? Part 2: Navigating Contract Negotiations
Concepts Do I Need an Attorney Part 2: Navigating Contract Negotiations by Russ Miller In last month’s column, we discussed whether or not you should hire a lawyer for your business dealings. This time we dive a bit deeper into…
Steve Gadd - The Innovator
Jazz fans lucky enough to be in New York City this past November had the opportunity to see three great masters pour out their hearts, extend their technique, and recapture past glories. Pianist Chick Corea, bassist Eddie Gomez, and drummer…
Septuplet Fives - Polyrhythmic Permutation
https://vimeo.com/208718798 Rock Perspectives Septuplet Fives Polyrhythmic Permutation by Aaron Edgar Seven over five can be a challenging polyrhythm to master. We’ll start building this rhythm by playing every fifth septuplet partial in a measure of 5/4. It can take plenty…
The 2016 Hollywood Custom and Vintage Drum Show
Danny Seraphine Backbeats The 2016 Hollywood Custom and Vintage Drum Show Story and photos by Bob Campbell This past October 8, the 2016 Hollywood Custom and Vintage Drum Show packed the Glendale Civic Auditorium in Glendale, California, with gear, drumming…
Gibaltar - G Drive Stealth Pedals
Product Close-Up Gibraltar G Drive Stealth Pedals Simple, smooth, and powerful options in a sleek black design. In addition to continuously redefining what can be done with drum racks, Gibraltar has a solid reputation for producing simple, functional, and affordable…
An Editor's Overview - Influencers
by Willie Rose “If I am an influence, I hope I’m a good one,” said this month’s cover artist, Steve Gadd, in his very first Modern Drummer cover story, in 1978. “I don’t play to be an influence. I feel…
1,000 Ways to Practice a Single Page, Part 3: Incorporating Flams
https://vimeo.com/208716618 Strictly Technique 1,000 Ways to Practice a Single Page Part 3: Incorporating Flams by Libor Hadrava Last month we applied a set of written rhythms to the drumset by accenting the figures within continual 16th notes and experimenting with…
Kit of the Month - Compact Clubber
Kit of the Month Compact Clubber This light, tight, and customized setup comes from Steve Fruda, from Norwalk, Connecticut, who decided to downsize after a few seasons of nonstop wedding gigs with his New York City–based band, the Elements. The…
A&F Drum Co. - 4x14 Raw Brass Snare
Product Close-Up A&F Drum Co. 4x14 Raw Brass Snare A contemporary take on iconic turn-of-the-century drums. There’s a new player on the high-end drum scene. The Antoun and Family Drum Company was founded in 2012 in Austin, Texas, and…
Sabian - Artisan Elite Series Cymbals
https://vimeo.com/202227210 Product Close-Up Sabian Artisan Elite Series Cymbals A limited range of dry, low-pitched rides and hi-hats from Canada’s top cymbalmaker. Sabian has spent the past few years refining its manufacturing process to incorporate more traditional old-world-style techniques. First it…
David Gilmour's Steve DiStanislao
Interview and photos by Sayre Berman Steve DiStanislao is the drummer of choice for legendary artists such as Crosby, Stills and Nash, Kenny Loggins, Don Felder, and his current employer, David Gilmour. “I tour with many different artists, and I…
Fred Pierce's Studio Drum Shop
Retailer Profile Fred Pierce's Studio Drum Shop Overland, Missouri Interview by Patrick Berkery Photos by Madison Thorn For forty-five years, Fred Pierce has been serving drummers of the St. Louis area in a cozy space he bought outright back in…
Ziv Ravitz
Features Ziv Ravitz The Urgency of Now Story by Jeff Potter Photos by Bastien Burger “It’s hard to define what jazz is these days,” Ziv Ravitz says. “In the end, it’s the spirit of everything being possible.” A drummer of…
Brazilian Girls' Aaron Johnston
Features Brazilian Girls' Aaron Johnston With his rudimental training, skillful electronic programming, and vast international influences, this New York City–based multi-instrumentalist and producer represents the future of drumming as well as anyone who comes to mind. Story by Henri…
Rockin’ at a Snail’s Pace - Variations for Slower Tempos
Basics Rockin’ at a Snail’s Pace Variations for Slower Tempos by Joel Rothman Playing slow tempos can be one of the most difficult things to master. As the distance from one beat to the next increases, the ability to accurately…
Beyond the Noteheads - Part 3: Varying Your Transcriptions
Jazz Drummer's Workshop Beyond the Noteheads Part 3: Varying Your Transcriptions by Steve Fidyk This month we’ll apply variations to some of the transcribed phrases from Part 2 of this series (March 2017). This process truly has no limits. I…
Modern Drummer 2017 Readers Poll Winners
Introducing... the 2017 Modern Drummer Readers Poll Winners Hall of Fame Peter Erskine It’s tough to imagine a more thoughtful player than Peter Erskine. In his introduction to Erskine’s June 2016 MD cover story, Rick Mattingly compared Peter’s career to…
