(Available digitally November 25, 2015 and in print on December 1, 2015)

On the Cover

Neil Peart

“There are things in my solo that have been there since I was sixteen, that always thrilled me—and still do.”

As the members of Rush close their celebration of forty years at the top of the prog-rock heap, the band’s drummer reflects on what has changed in his playing and in his gear choices—and what will likely remain in perpetuity.

by Ilya Stemkovsky

 

FEATURES

MD AT 40

Neil, Alex, and Geddy aren’t the only ones celebrating forty years together—so is the staff at Modern Drummer! As we prepare to begin our fifth decade as the world’s number-one drum magazine, we take stock of the major changes that have gone down—and imagine the evolution of our art as we move forward.

Catching Up With…ZACH DANZIGER and TRAVIS ORBIN.

The future is now for these two pace-setters.

40 YEARS OF INNOVATION

Drum gear has evolved dramatically since Modern Drummer hit the newsstands in 1977. Here’s how. – by Rick Van Horn

MODERN DRUMMER: THE FIRST DECADE

In this special feature, we recount our highlight-filled first decade in print. – by Rick Mattingly

THE FUTURE STATE OF THE ART Jojo Mayer, Stella Mozgawa, Matt Garstka, Mark Guiliana,

and seven more of today’s most cutting-edge drummers peer into their crystal balls, laying out a variety of issues that every drummer today should think long and hard about. Advertisement

SCOTT AMENDOLA

Working with iconoclasts like Nels Cline and Charlie Hunter allows this ever-inquisitive drummer to shine, and his solo work is right up there in terms of sheer invention. – by Ilya Stemkovsky

EDUCATION

Teacher’s Forum – How to Practice

Get the Most Out of Whatever Time You Have – by Garey Williams

Basics – Flam It Up

Add Some Meat to Your Fills – by Rich Redmond (click here for supplemental video content)

Strictly Technique – Quintuplets

Part 2: Polyrhythms With Fives – by Bill Bachman (click here for supplemental video content)

Rock ’n’ Jazz Clinic – World Groove Independence Mash-Up

Improving Facility With Afro-Cuban Inspiration – by Mike Johnston (click here for supplemental video content)

Jazz Drummer’s Workshop – Triplet Fill Concepts

Part 2: More Three-Over-Four Fills – by John Xepoleas (click here for supplemental video content)

Rock Perspectives – Progressive Drumming Essentials

Part 6: Syncopated Double Bass…the Easy Way – by Aaron Edgar (click here for supplemental video content)

Concepts – Endorsements

Part 2: Are You Really Ready? – by Russ Miller

EQUIPMENT

Product Close-Up
• Yamaha Stage Custom Birch Hybrid Kit
• Amedia Kommagene Series Cymbals (click here for supplemental video content)
• Provenance 4×14 VW Snare (click here for supplemental video content)
• Tycoon Triple-Play Cajon

Gearing Up The War on Drugs’ Charlie Hall

New and Notable

Collector’s Corner – Eddie Knight A Living Legend of Leedy Lore – by Harry Cangany

DEPARTMENTS

AN EDITOR’S OVERVIEW

This Is 40 by Adam Budofsky

Readers’ Platform

News

It’s Questionable

What’s This Ride? •
Mind Matters: I Want My Old Drums Back

Critique

Backbeats

KoSA 2015

Kit of the Month

and more!