September 2015 Issue – Volume 40 • Number 9

Swing Style 101, Part 1: Avoiding the 1

Jazz Drummer's Workshop Swing Style 101 Part 1: Avoiding the 1 by Justin Varnes Chances are, not many of us launched into a career in drumming after hearing a Papa Jo Jones record and asking our parents for a set…

Build a Beat! A Step-by-Step Approach to Creating Interesting Grooves

https://vimeo.com/133777362 Basics Build a Beat! A Step-by-Step Approach to Creating Interesting Grooves by Rich Redmond Over the years, my experiences as a teacher have taught me to always start simply. I like to build a strong foundation with a student…

A Different View - Steven Wilson

A Different View Steven Wilson The modern-prog giant has the skills and musicality to manipulate sounds like it’s no one’s business. Which makes it all the more wondrous—and honorable—how little futzing he actually does with the drum tracks on his…

The Cumbia - Drumset Adaptations of a Traditional Colombian/Panamanian Rhythm

Around the World The Cumbia Drumset Adaptations of a Traditional Colombian/Panamanian Rhythm by Steve Rucker and Carlomagno Araya Cumbia is a musical style that comes from Colombia and Panama and has a rich and diverse history. It’s closely connected to…

September 2015 Issue – Volume 40 • Number 9

Progressive Drumming Essentials, Part 3: Polyrhythmic Patterns

https://vimeo.com/134762504 Rock Perspectives Progressive Drumming Essentials Part 3: Polyrhythmic Patterns by Aaron Edgar Last month we learned some of the theory behind polyrhythms, along with how to play these patterns in their most basic form. The next step is to…

Jonathan Schang

Features Jonathan Schang District 97 and its one-of-a-kind drummer/bandleader steer modern progressive rock to some very unlikely places. Of course, it never hurts one’s sense of adventure when a couple of classic-prog heroes offer their emotional—and vocal—support. Story by Will…

Paiste - PSTX Series Cymbals

https://vimeo.com/127611574 Product Close-Up Paiste PSTX Series Cymbals Affordably priced, trashy effects hats, stacks, and crashes, plus a couple of calm, cooling bells. The PSTX series is a complete lineup of effects cymbals designed to achieve trashy tones and clean bell…

Steve Clifford

Features Steve Clifford The drummer with the modern prog-metal act Circa Survive has never shown much interest in repeating ideas—his own, or anybody else’s. Story by Ilya Stemkovsky Photos by Alex Solca Modern rock bands sometimes fall victim to the…

In Memoriam - A.J. Pero

In Memoriam A.J. Pero On March 20, while on the road with Adrenaline Mob, longtime Twister Sister drummer A.J. Pero suffered a fatal heart attack while asleep on his tour bus. He was fifty-five. According to Twister Sister frontman Dee…

In Memoriam - Lenny DiMuzio

In Memoriam Lenny DiMuzio When Lennie DiMuzio died this past March 7 after a long battle with cancer, the phrase “end of an era” was truly appropriate. During his decades working at Zildjian and then for Sabian, DiMuzio defined what…

Mr. Big's Pat Torpey - Breaking Down the Quasi-Linear Beat to "Take Cover"

by Matt Starr This month we’re going to look at a unique beat performed by Mr. Big drummer Pat Torpey for the song “Take Cover,” which appears on the band’s 1996 studio album, Hey Man.When I first heard this groove,…

Catching Up With... Sean Kinney

Catching Up With... Sean Kinney Priding themselves on being a “live” band, the members of Alice in Chains need little encouragement to get out and play. But for this summer’s tour, there’s a more compassionate motivator at the core. by…

On the Cover - Gil Sharone

On the Cover Gil Sharone Many have been seduced by his mind-boggling drumming excursions with Dillinger Escape Plan, Team Sleep, and Stolen Babies. Others know him as the creator of the Wicked Beats DVD, the most insightful and pragmatic methodology…

Matt Greiner

Features Matt Greiner A new album finds the Christian metalcore stalwart August Burns Red toying with previously unexplored sonic elements. Drummer, band, and fiercely loyal fan base all come up winners. Story by David Ciauro Photos by Alex Solca There’s…

Catching Up With... Steve Jordan

Jordan and Verbs bassist Willie Weeks Catching Up With... Steve Jordan This drummer, who’s famously fond of all things analog, puts his money where his mouth is on the Verbs’ latest release, a collection of old-school covers. by Ken Micallef…

Grooving in Form: AABC with Mike Johnston

https://vimeo.com/134202838 Rock 'N' Jazz Clinic Grooving in Form AABC by Mike Johnston In our previous lesson (July 2015), we learned how to use the simple song form AABA to create some hip triplet-based grooves. This month we’re going to push…

RBH Drums - Americana Jump Kit

https://vimeo.com/123420584 Product Close-Up RBH Drums Americana Jump Kit Impossibly big and rich tones from a tiny grab-and-go setup. Virginia Beach–based RBH Drums has been quietly but steadily building steam as one of the preeminent custom shops, forgoing flashy, over-the-top concoctions…