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.
Up & Coming - Jonathan Barber
“In New York you always have to bring your ‘A’ game,” says the rising jazz star. So far, his report cards would make the elders proud. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Tycoon - Hex-Jam Shakers, Udukere, and Small Fiberglass Shekere
Bangkok-based Tycoon has been making top-notch percussion instruments since 1983. Everything it produces is manufactured in its own factory, which allows the company to keep a keen eye on quality. Tycoon is also dedicated to using the most environmentally responsible…
David Gilmour's Steve DiStanislao
Steve DiStanislao is the drummer of choice for legendary artists such as Crosby, Stills and Nash, Kenny Loggins, Don Felder, and his current employer, David Gilmour. “I tour with many different artists, and I play varying genres,” says Steve. “I…
In Memoriam: Remo Belli 1927–2016
Remo Belli started out like most of us: a humble drummer, looking to make a difference on the scene. Even he could not have predicted that, in time, that scene would encompass all of humankind. In this special tribute, players…
Tama - Star Single Tom Stand and Classic Stand
Tama is not only one of the world’s premier drum makers, but it also offers some of the most stable, durable, and well-engineered hardware on the market today. This past year the company introduced two new pieces for drummers looking…
Kit of the Month - The Dream Police Kit
This vintage gold sparkle kit comes to us from Minnetonka, Minnesota, reader Rob Gilboe, who explains that the set was custom-built by drum tech Paul Jamieson and manufacturer Patrick Foley for former Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos in the…
Concepts - It's Time To Retool!
I came to the realization a few years ago that to maintain success, I have to constantly adjust, retool, forecast, and create new business plans. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Rock 'N' Jazz Clinic - The Musical Drummer
One of the questions that has come up the most times in conversations is: "What is this about form in music? How do you know where you are? How do you approach playing with other instruments on specific tunes? TO…
Around The World - African Pop Meets American Funk
Popular African pop rhythms from the past twenty to thirty years are starting to appear in American funk music. In this article we’ll explore the triplet-based African rhythm mangambe, which we’ll apply to a funk setting. TO READ THE FULL…
Rock Perspectives - Groove Contraction
Groove contraction can create rhythmic tension and release. Similar to how, with implied metric modulation, we can use new subdivisions to trick listeners into feeling like the quarter-note pulse has shifted, we can use the concept of contraction to make…
Teacher's Forum - Interleaving
A typical practice session is often laid out in a format that sports psychologists call “block learning,” where you repeat the same skill over and over for a predetermined amount of time. If you’re practicing four different skills (A, B,…
Rock Perspectives - Converting Those Old Rhythms, Part II
In Part I we learned how to play a shuffle properly and how to apply it to a "half-time, shuffle-funk" concept. In Part II we'll explore this idea further with an emphasis on more complicated patterns. T TO READ THE…
Jazz Drummer's Workshop - Bass Drum Technique
The bass drum foot should be developed with the same technical/musical objectives as the hands: control of tempo, dynamics, and syncopation. A simple approach to these objectives is to relate bass drum technique to hand technique. TO READ THE FULL…
Sum 41's Frank Zummo
Frank Zummo has always been a team player—whether performing with his drum brothers in Street Drum Corps, filling in for an injured Tommy Lee in Mötley Crüe, or joining existing lineups with Dhani Harrison’s thenewno2, Gary Numan, the late Scott…
