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.
Drummers Make the World Go ‘Round
This year marks the 400th anniversary of the Avedis Zildjian Company. Founded in 1623, Zildjian is the oldest musical instrument company in the world as well as the oldest company in the USA. Zildjian has a great past because it…
Beneath the surface. Under the hood. Inside the mindset. Revealing the surprising facts…of Modern Drumming!
That’s what Modern Drummer is about today! After nearly 50 years of Modern Drummer, what is left to say about stickings, snares, cymbal choice, and sound? Most of it has been discussed many times over. Frank Zappa said, “Writing about…
Greta Van Fleet’s Danny Wagner, Climbing the Mountain of Modern Rock
Photo by Alex Kluft The glory days of rock music are believed to be over and done with, but that may not be the case. One band has defined what it means to be a modern-day rock band. Greta…
GADD: A LIFE IN TIME, The Story Behind the Book
The origins of Hudson Music’s new book, GADD: A Life in Time, a complete history and analysis of Steve Gadd’s storied career as a drummer, go back awhile. Over forty years, in fact. Sometime in the early 1980s, a relatively…
The Teacher Learns Twice
“One heart, one mind, one groove.” –Rick Lazar, Samba Squad Drummers around the world have something no other instrumentalists have, we’re one big tribe, one that supports and shares like no other. As soon as you meet another drummer, the…
The Bass Drum Owners Manual: Applying the Ankle, Leg, and Down Stroke to Consecutive Doubles and Grooves with Triplets
In past month’s we have detailed Michael Packer’s techniques of ankle, leg, and down strokes with the hi-hat and the bass drum feet. This month we will look at the applications of these strokes to playing consecutive doubles and…
Fill-In Studies
In previous issues of Modern Drummer, we have printed the first three parts of the “Stone Killer.” Joe advanced the idea of those endurance exercises with his Fill-In Studies These are not “drum fills,” instead they are endurance exercises built…
Understanding the Language of Music, Chord Inversions
Modern Drummer founder Ron Spagnardi wrote an excellent book called Understanding the Language of Music, a Drummer’s Guide to Theory and Harmony. This book spells out the basics of theory and harmony in a very easy to…
Rick Allen’s Def Leppard Collection
It was a thrill when I got a call from the iconic Def Leppard. They started out in 1976 like countless teenage bands in Sheffield, England. Over 100 million albums later, they are still going strong, selling out stadiums all…
John “JR” Robinson, Everything is Subject to Change
Photo by Kevin Wilson John “JR” Robinson is always busy. But he’s been busier than usual. He has a new band called SRT that he’s (for the first time ever) taking on the road, and a new record called…
Jamie Wollam, Tears for Fears
Photo by: Felipe Lavede Drum Kit: A&F Royal Brass kit 14×6.5 snare, 8×12 small tom, 16×16 floor tom, 16×18 floor tom, 14×24 bass drum Hardware: A&F Nickel Hardware Electronic pedal DW 9000 Bass drum pedal- DW DWCPMCD2 MCD…
Kit Of The Month - The Desert Tornado
This month’s Modern Drummer Kit of the Month comes from James Dalzell of Cave Creek, Arizona. James’ kit is a massive 20 piece DW Collectors Maple set in Black Velvet Swirl. James’ cymbals are by Sabian and Paiste, and his…
Is that a Sinatra Drummer in your Pocket, or are you Glad to See Me?
Photo by Tom Ranier Shortly after receiving word that my name appeared at the top of a list in the Modern Drummer 2023 Reader Poll (for Jazz, a list that includes Brian Blade, Terri Lyne Carrington, Joe Farnsworth and…
New And Notable October 2023
Pearl’s Masters Maple Gum Series drums When it comes to drumming in the modern recording environment, the Maple/Gum shell combination has a sublime history. Pearl first incorporated this legendary blend on Masterworks drums with the Sonic Select Studio shell recipe.…
