May 2017 Issue – Volume 41 • Number 5

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…

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…

Aleks Girshevich

Up & Coming Aleks Girshevich A twelve-year-old reaches into the “El Negro” clave bag, and more than holds his own on a disc featuring Eddie Gomez. by Ilya Stemkovsky Most twelve-year-olds are busy trying to beat that hot new combat…

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…

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…

Sunhouse - Sensory Percussion Electronic System

Product Close-Up Sunhouse Sensory Percussion Electronic System Innovative technology that combines the natural expressivity of acoustic drums with the limitless power of software. The goal for Sunhouse’s super-advanced Sensory Percussion system is to, as much as possible, remove machinery from…

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…

Simon Kirke

Features Simon Kirke The Free and Bad Company cofounder releases a solo album that reaffirms his place in the top tier of rock drumming, as well as his stature as a solo artist to be reckoned with. Story by Bob…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Groove Construction, Part 12: 16th-Note Metronome Training

https://vimeo.com/208722950 Rock 'n' Jazz Clinic Groove Construction Part 12: 16th-Note Metronome Training by Jost Nickel In this lesson we’ll work on perceiving a metronome on various 16th-note partials. These exercises will improve your ability to hear different rhythms before you…

May 2017 Issue – Volume 41 • Number 5

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…

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…

Evans - UV1 Drumheads

https://vimeo.com/202236606 Product Close-Up Evans UV1 Drumheads A new silkscreened coating cured with ultraviolet light for increased consistency and durability. Evans’ research team spent several years experimenting with new ways to improve upon one of its most widely used products—the single-ply…

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…