October 2019 Issue – Volume 43 • Number 10

The Starr Festival Snare

Over the years, Gary Astridge has meticulously researched Ringo’s drumkits and assembled exact replicas of the ones used with the Beatles.

Zimbabwean “Tuku” Music

Combining the traditional Jit, Tsotsa, and other rhythms of Zimbabwe, the late Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi’s style could only be defined as distinctly his own.

What's Your Favorite Hal Blaine Track?

Readers weigh on their favorite Hal Blaine tracks.

JD Beck

Mentored by Dallas-area drummers like Robert “Sput” Searight, Mike Mitchell, and Cleon Edwards, JD Beck has crafted a style of crooked beats and patterns mixed with over-the-barline fluidity.

Septuplet Linear Patterns

The most fun thing about linear concepts is that almost any pattern you play can be modified in multiple ways.

Bruce Rowland

Bruce Rowland racked up numerous recording and touring credits through his extensive work in the pop, folk, blues-rock, and rock worlds.

The 5/4 Half-Time Shuffle

For those of you who’ve never heard the coveted half-time shuffle, which is also commonly referred to as the Purdie shuffle,...

New Releases by Santana, Oz Noy, Grupo Fantasma, and More!

New Releases From Santana, Oz Noy, Betty Carter, Grupo Fantasma and more.

Louson Drums

The CajonTab is a small, flat, lightweight cajon you wear on a strap.

Inverted Paradiddle-Diddles

Rudiments can essentially be described as groupings of single and double strokes in different configurations and rhythms.

Sam Durkes on Ezra Furman’s Twelve Nudes

Throughout the album drummer Sam Durkes drives Ezra Furman’s distorted up-tempo fervor with a surprising avoidance of cymbals.

Rancid's Branden Steineckert

“I tend to like my snares to be visually fun,” says Steineckert, “but I don’t want it to compromise my sound at all.

Advanced Techniques for Jazz Soloing

For four years I’d been studying intensely with Dom Famularo, who suddenly said during one of my lessons, “Steph, you’re now ready for Jim.”

Theme for an “Imaginary” Drummer

To most, Corky Laing’s drumming is synonymous with the great heavy-rock band Mountain, and vice versa.

Sheridan Riley with Alvvays

For nearly two decades, drummer Sheridan Riley has worked with the intention to lead a life fulfilled as a proactive musician.

October 2019 Issue – Volume 43 • Number 10

Tony Williams at a Jazz Crossroads

During his years with Miles Davis, beginning in 1963 at age seventeen, Tony Williams radically changed jazz drumming.

1969: The Shock of the New

As artists developed increasingly ambitious musical concepts, the challenges for instrument designers, engineers, composers, and instrumentalists increased as well.

Mastodon’s Brann Dailor on the Band’s Heavenly “Stairway to Nick John”

The drummer recently talked to MD to discuss the band’s heartfelt tribute to their longtime friend and manager.

Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Doug Clifford

Given the breakneck pace at which CCR operated in 1969, it’s a wonder Clifford and Cook are still out on the road fifty years later.