December 2022 – Volume 46 • Number 12
Articles in December 2022
Ludwig Vistalite Led Zeppelin Reunion Kit
The drum kit shown here was custom made by the Ludwig drum company for Jason Bonham’s use in the Led Zeppelin reunion show. It replicates the configuration that John Bonham used for dozens of Led Zeppelin performances, including a 14…
OUT NOW! New Recordings In The December 2022 Issue
Modern Drummer spotlighting certain new recordings that have the drums at the center of their sound. These recordings might be drummer-led, or just include a high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performance from the drummer and/or musicians in the…
Hybrid Drumming / Bass Drum Trigger Exploration
Exploring creative possibilities with just one bass drum trigger is a great introduction to the world of hybrid drumming. In this month’s column we will focus on an acoustic kick drum outfitted with a bass drum trigger. Hopefully this will…
Donn Bennett’s Drum Vault: The Carmine Appice Drum Collection
Drummer, singer, songwriter, soloist, band leader, author, educator, innovator. It’s nearly impossible to describe Carmine Appice’s massive influence on the drum world. He sits near the top of Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the Top 100 Drummers of All Time.…
Mixed Sticking Patterns over the Double Bass Roll
This month we will continue with another excerpt from Joe Franco’s groundbreaking book, Double Bass Drumming. This month Modern Drummer is including Joe’s explanation of soloing over the double bass roll by playing mixed stickings with the hands. The double…
On Technique and Progressive Accents
This month Modern Drummer is providing another excellent example of Joe Morello’s masterful teaching from his essential book Master Studies. Both Technique, and Progressive Accents deal with the vital aspect of developing (and improving) your control while playing the drums.…
Realistic Linear Rudiments
Modern Drummer is concluding the year-long celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Carmine Appice’s legendary book Realistic Rock, which has been re-issued by Modern Drummer with even more sections and is now called The Ultimate Realistic Rock. We are presenting…
It’s More Than Beats, Fills and Patterns
There’s a Mars Volta song called Teflon that has a weird hybrid version of a paradiddle. A lot of Mars Volta songs have ghost notes with hybrid versions of a paradiddle. I use a lot of the rudiments and grooves.…
The 4 Practice Pockets: The IREC Model
“There is no right or wrong, only consequences.” It’s so challenging to know just what to practice when we sit down at the kit. There is no exact right way, as long as we PLAY. Treat yourself as the ultimate…
Rodney Elkins The Food Stamps/Tyler Childers
Pure and simple, Rodney Elkins is a groove merchant. Like many southern drummers he plays a little behind the beat; creating a deep pocket, perfectly embellishing critical points in the song, but never playing more than the song needs. Considering…
Philo: Resolving into Comfort
The Mars Volta has been an influential band for a long time. Throughout that time, they have had quite a few influential drummers in the band. Blake Fleming, Jon Theodore, Deantoni Parks, Thomas Pridgen, Dave Elitch, Willie Rodriguez Quinones, and…
Disturbed’s Metal Groove Master: Mike Wengren
The popular American hard rock-metal band Disturbed has been around for more than 25 years, they have released seven studio records and two live records. Their first recording entitled The Sickness is a true metal classic. Like every other band,…
Antonio Sanchez
A Bad Hombre Migrating Towards a Shift Antonio Sanchez’s career is going through a bit of a “shift.” (Which is actually the name of his new record.) Years ago, the drummer who recorded and toured as a side musician with…
ROLAND TD-17KVX2
Roland recently announced some exciting upgrades to their V-Drums product lineup. Included in the rollout is the Roland TD-17KVX2, which is the subject of our product review this month. The TD-17KVX2 builds upon the previous generation TD-17KVX model and features…
Zildjian Fat Hats and Blast Bell Warm, Earthy, Dark and Extremely Musical
Fat Hats Zildjian sent Modern Drummer two pairs of the new Fat Hats and a seven inch Blast Bell, they wanted us to give them go, and I must admit that just holding them made me want to play them.…
GEWA Digital Drums announces the new GEWA G3 SERIES
The new GEWA G3 SERIES kit consists of a five-piece pad configuration and is aimed at everyone from beginning students to advanced drummers. The Gewa G3 offers no compromise on sound, playability, and connectivity, but it comes in at a…
Latin Percussion Launches Limited Edition Black Box Exotic Cajons and Discovery Bongos
LP is pleased to release two limited edition Black Box cajons with a choice of Exotic Ebony and Figured Cerise Craftwood soundboards. Based on LP’s award winning, best-selling cajon, the two new Black Box cajons have clear distinct snare and…
Vater Releases 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Chad Smith Stick!
November 2022 marks Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith’s 30th year as a Vater Drumstick Artist. To commemorate this milestone, Vater is releasing a limited-edition Chad Smith model which will only be manufactured until November 1, 2023. This 30th…
Drum Workshop Puts Innovation on Display at 50th Aniversary Celebration
Drum Workshop hosted a multi-day program of talks and workshops designed to celebrate drummers and the drumming community along with DW’s own heritage of innovation. The opening night brought the introduction of new products that honor the past and excite…
Life... Unscripted
There are busy spells and then there are very busy spells. I recently found myself in the middle of a “this job/that job/and another job” when things had been moving along quite calmly for some time. Suddenly, I was juggling…
Brian Eaton’s Allegra Custom Master Craft drums
December’s submission for Modern Drummer’s Kit of the Month comes from Brian Eaton. Brian’s kit is an Allegra Custom Master Craft setup that was custom built at the end of the Dave Peterson era at Allegra Drums. Brian’s snare is…
Diversity and Inclusivity
Diversity and inclusivity is supremely important in all walks of life… and music. However, this is Modern Drummer, so how we apply those modern ideals to our drumming and music, takes priority here. I am always excited when drummers surprise…