Lessons
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.
John "Jabo" Starks: "Superbad"
Longtime James Brown drummer John “Jabo” Starks died on May 1, a little more than a year following the passing his brother-in-drums, Clyde Stubblefield. It’s nearly impossible to overstate the contributions these two gentlemen made to the art of rhythm-making,…
Warming Up With...Todd Sucherman
We had the opportunity to sit down with Modern Drummer’s August 2017 cover artist, Todd Sucherman, before his recent show with Styx in Noblesville, Indiana. Utilizing a snare drum with a mesh head, Todd walked us through an assortment of…
Warming Up With...Steve Smith
https://www.youtube.com/embed/pkY_Y5qOQFY Check out Steve's drum solo from the Louisville, KY show! We had the opportunity to sit down with Modern Drummer’s September 2017 cover artist, Steve Smith, before his recent show with Journey in Louisville, Kentucky. From the serene confines…
Stickings that Rock, Part 1
This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the March 2016 issue, which is available here. Basics Stickings that Rock Part 1: From a Hand Pattern to a Groove by Rich Redmond This month we’ll look at…
Five and Seven Over Two - Exploring Odd Polyrhythms
This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the March 2016 issue, which is available here. Rock Perspectives Five and Seven Over Two Exploring Odd Polyrhythms by Aaron Edgar The key to internalizing any polyrhythm is to…
1,000 Ways to Practice a Single Page - Part 1: Introducing the Method
This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the March 2017 issue, which is available here. Strictly Technique 1,000 Ways to Practice a Single Page Part 1: Introducing the Method by Libor Hadrava I’ve always wanted a…
Video Lesson! Groove Construction, Part 10: Exploring a Killer Cowbell Pattern
This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the February 2017 issue, which is available here. Rock 'N' Jazz Clinic Groove Construction Part 10: Exploring a Killer Cowbell Pattern by Jost Nickel In this lesson we’ll examine…
Odd Subdivision Offbeats: Ten- and Fourteen-Note Groupings
This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the February 2017 issue, which is available here. Rock Perspectives Odd Subdivision Offbeats Ten- and Fourteen-Note Groupings by Aaron Edgar When examining 32nd notes, we see that they’re twice…
Swiss Rudiments: Basel Drumming, Part 4
https://vimeo.com/197189220 This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the February 2017 issue, which is available here. Strictly Technique Swiss Rudiments Basel Drumming, Part 4 by Claus Hessler In this lesson we’ll take a look at a…
Video Lesson! The Swampy Double Groove with Rich Redmond
This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the January 2017 issue, which is available here. Basics The Swampy Double Groove Grease Up Your Phrases by Rich Redmond With double grooves, the left hand plays every 8th…
Video Lesson! Papa Jo Jones Drum Fill with John Xepoleas
This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the January 2017 issue, which is available here. Jazz Drummer's Workshop Papa Jo Jones Drum Fill Incorporating a Classic Jazz Lick by John Xepoleas In this lesson we’ll explore…
Video Lesson! Swiss Rudiments - Basel Drumming, Part 3 with Claus Hessler
This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the January 2017 issue, which is available here. Strictly Technique Swiss Rudiments Basil Drumming, Part 3 by Claus Hessler In the third installment of our series on Swiss drumming,…
Video Lesson! A New Perspective On 2 Over 3 with Aaron Edgar
This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the January 2017 issue, which is available here. Rock Perspectives A New Perspective On 2 Over 3 Displacing Two-Over-Three Polyrhythms by Aaron Edgar This month we’re going to vary…
Video Lesson! Groove Construction, Part 9: Split Grooves with Jost Nickel
This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the January 2017 issue, which is available here. Rock 'N' Jazz Clinic Groove Construction Part 9: Split Grooves by Jost Nickel This month’s groove workshop introduces split patterns. In…