Tips
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.
On the Beat With Joey Sulkowski of Mainland: Getting Educated On and Off the Road
Hey-o, Modern Drummers! My name is Joey Sulkowski and I play drums for Mainland, a Brooklyn based rock band that just finished a tour with Canadian superheroes Marianas Trench. A large part of my life has been spent with various…
On the Beat With Damon Grant: Fifteen Tips I Learned After Music School
This list is in no particular order, and they all should be number one because they are all important. Have fun and smile! People will hire you more if they like to be around you. Remember people’s names, because everyone…
On the Beat With Nate Arling of the Last Vegas and Urge Overkill: Top Ten Touring and Gigging Tips
Hi MD readers! My name is Nate Arling, and I live in Chicago, Illinois. I play drums in the Last Vegas and Urge Overkill. I also do studio work and have played 1,000-plus shows in fifteen-plus countries at clubs, garages,…
10 Tips from Bobby Sanabria
The renowned Latin and jazz drummer/percussionist has always known how to get his point across, whether in the studio, on stage, or in the classroom. Here he offers words of advice that all of us, regardless of age or preferred…
VIDEO! Jazz Drummer's Workshop: Stick Control Revisited, Part 4 (March 2014 Issue)
by Steve Fidyk Welcome to the fourth and final installment in our series on Stick Control drumset applications. This month we’ll explore ways of interpreting author George Lawrence Stone’s exercises while playing up-tempo swing rhythms. As you practice the applications,…
VIDEO! Jazz Drummer's Workshop: Stick Control Revisited, Part 3 (December 2013 Issue)
by Steve Fidyk Welcome to the third installment in our series on drumset applications of George Lawrence Stone’s classic book Stick Control. The variations in the article utilize the “72 Single Beat Combinations” found on pages 5–7. In this…
Rock & Jazz Clinic: Melodic Drumming (October 2013 Issue)
In this lesson we’re going to explore a way to represent a melodic guitar riff from a classic-rock tune on the kit, while playing the song’s drumbeat at the same time. Be sure to check out the complete article in…
Of Gasoline & Groceries: Economic Survival Tips for the Working Drummer
by Bernie Schallehn The following article originally ran in the April 2009 issue of Modern Drummer magazine, which is available as a back issue. To find out what issues are currently available in digital form, go to the…
Mind Matters: Releasing The Pressure Of Sitting In
The following is an excerpt from the Modern Drummer book Mind Matters: Overcoming Common Mental Barriers in Drumming, by Bernie Schallehn Releasing The Pressure Of Sitting In Q: Many years ago, when I was in my twenties, I was fortunate to play…
12 Drumming Myths: Debunking Drum Gospel
by Adam Budofsky Want to be a better drummer? Try taking these words out of your vocabulary: Always. Only. All. Never. Despite the prevalence of educational books, DVDs, and online lessons, most drumming information is still passed down the…
Gimme 10! Bobby Sanabria
This piece originally ran in the April 2010 issue of Modern Drummer. One of the most world-traveled, well-spoken, and high-profile drummer/leaders on the planet tells us what’s what, Sanabria style. Check out clinics other than just drum and percussion events. The…
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Van
This article originally ran in the October 2005 issue of Modern Drummer magazine. For access to all of the great editorial from MD’s first twenty-six years of publication, check out our Digital Archive. by Jon Wurster…
Escaping Toyland: The Modern Drummer Guide To Purchasing A Children’s Drumkit
by Will Romano In the past, when a child begged for his or her first drumkit, parents priced professional musical equipment only to settle for fragile, mass-produced toys—or shied away from buying a drumset altogether. Today, after collecting feedback from…
L.A. Freelancer Nick Mason
Hello, Modern Drummer readers! I know everyone who writes a blog on here starts it out the same way, but honestly how else are you supposed to do it? I’m sure most of you are scratching your head wondering just…
