Bill Bachman Archives - Modern Drummer Magazine

Bill Bachman

Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.

Modern Drummer Education Team Weighs In On: Music Industry Careers

What advice would you (or do you) give to students who are thinking about a career in the music industry?   Mike Sorrentino My teacher, Rod Morgenstein, told me early on that in order to really have a career, you…

Feb 22, 2016

Video Lesson! One-Sided Hairtas, Grandmas, and Grandpas

 This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the March 2016 issue, which is available here. Strictly Technique One-Sided Hairtas, Grandmas, and Grandpas This month we’re going to look at three unusual rudiments: one-sided hairtas, grandmas, and…

Jan 29, 2016

Video Lesson: Consecutive Flams - Hand-to-Hand Groupings

 This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the February 2016 issue, which is available here. Strictly Technique Consecutive Flams Part 4: Hand-to-Hand Groupings This month we’re going to play hand-to-hand flams consecutively and in groups of…

Dec 30, 2015

Modern Drummer Education Team Weighs In On: Favorite Drum Books

(Updated 12/10/15) We asked the members of the MD Education Team to give us their five or so favorite drum books. Here’s what they said.   Alfred Drum Method 1 by Dave Black and Sandy Feldstein Joe Bergamini I use…

Dec 3, 2015

Video Lesson: Quintuplets Part 2 - Polyrhythms With Fives

 This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the January 2016 issue, which is available here. Strictly Technique Quintuplets Part 2: Polyrhythms With Fives Last month we got acquainted with quintuplets by using accent patterns and transitions…

Nov 25, 2015

Video Lesson: Quintuplets, Part 1: The Basics

 This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the December 2015 issue, which is available here. Strictly Technique Quintuplets Part 1: The Basics Some may think of quintuplets—groups of five notes in the space of a quarter…

Oct 30, 2015

Modern Drummer Education Team Weighs In On: Learning Other Instruments

We asked the members of the Modern Drummer Education Team if they felt that it’s important for drummers to learn to play other instruments (piano, bass, guitar, etc.), or should they focus on honing their craft at the kit exclusively?…

May 11, 2015

VIDEO LESSON! Strictly Technique: Pataflafla Builder

This post is excerpted from the complete article that appears in the May 2015 issue. Strictly Technique Pataflafla Builder Exercises for Developing a Challenging Yet Musical Rudiment by Bill Bachman One of the most beneficial of the forty PAS rudiments…

Mar 31, 2015

Modern Drummer Education Team Weighs In On: Learning Other Styles

We asked the members of the Modern Drummer Education Team if they felt that it’s important for all drummers to study Latin music and other musical genres, even if they don’t intend to ever perform those styles. Here’s what they…

Feb 4, 2015

Modern Drummer Education Team Weighs In On: Developing Independence

We asked the members of the Modern Drummer Education Team to share their thoughts on their favorite methods for developing independence. Here’s what they had to say.   David Stanoch I think the terms “independence” and “coordination” are often confused…

Apr 8, 2014

The Modern Drummer 2013 Education Collection Is Now Available

Comprising instructional articles that appeared in Modern Drummer over the past year, The 2013 MD Education Collection contains dozens of unique and inspiring lessons on a variety of drumming-related topics appearing in the popular monthly columns Strictly Technique, Rock &…

Feb 12, 2014

MD Education Team Weighs In On: Tuning (UPDATED)

We asked the members of the MD Education Team to share their thoughts on how they prefer to tune their drums. Here’s what they had to say.   Marc Dicciani Tuning is a critical skill that must be learned. Regardless…

Jul 18, 2013

MD Education Team Weighs In On: Traditional Grip

Is traditional grip a useful technique that drum students should learn? We asked the members of the MD Education Team if they think traditional grip is relevant in today’s teachings. Here’s what they had to say.   Jim Payne As…

Sep 21, 2012

MD Education Team Weighs In On: Reading Music

Is it necessary and/or important for drummers to learn to read music? We asked the members of the MD Education Team if they think that reading skills are crucial. Here’s what they had to say.   Jeremy Hummel I believe…

Jul 30, 2012

MD Education Team Weighs In On: Teaching Feel

Can feel be taught? We asked the members of the MD Education Team if they think that feel can be taught. Here’s what they had to say.   Jeremy Hummel Potentially, yes. But rather than saying feel can be taught,…

May 31, 2012