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.
VIDEO! Jazz Drummer's Workshop: Syncopation Revisited: Part 5: Afro-Cuban Applications (From the October 2014 Issue)
October 2014 Jazz Drummer’s Workshop Syncopation Revisited Part 5: Afro-Cuban Applications by Steve Fidyk Welcome to part five in our continuing series on ways to interpret the classic Ted Reed book Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer. This…
VIDEO! Syncopation Revisited, Part 5: Brazilian Applications
September 2014 Jazz Drummer’s Workshop Syncopation Revisited Part 4: Brazilian Applications by Steve Fidyk We continue our series on ways to interpret the classic Ted Reed book Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer by applying Brazilian rhythms and…
Electronic Review: Zoom H6 Handy Recorder (From the September 2014 Issue)
by John Emrich Most people know me from my work in sample production. That said, I also get a lot of questions about recording without a computer, a topic I’ve been wrestling with for a few years. As luck would…
VIDEO! Screaming Clave: Big Beats Based on Afro-Caribbean Root Rhythms (From the September 2014 Issue)
by Rich Redmond Clave comprises the root rhythms used as the basis for most Afro-Caribbean music. These rhythms are two measures long (written in cut time), with three notes in one measure and two notes in the other. If you…
VIDEO! Jazz Drummer’s Workshop: Syncopation Revisited, Part 3: 5/4 Applications (From the August 2014 Issue)
by Steve Fidyk We continue this month with more ways to interpret Ted Reed’s classic book Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer. This time we’ll be converting the written manuscript from its original 4/4 form to 5/4 time.…
VIDEO! Rhythmic Displacement Essentials: Milking the Most From the Money Beats (From the August 2014 Issue)
by Rich Redmond One of the frameworks of my drumming philosophy is mastering what I call the “money beats.” These are the five grooves that are used time and time again to make the world laugh, cry, and dance. They…
VIDEO! Health & Science: Improve Your Timing! Jump-Rope Exercises for Drummers (From the August 2014 Issue)
by Billy Cuthrell Long thought of as a training tool for boxers or a playground staple at most elementary schools, jumping rope can be used by anyone who wants a terrific cardio workout. Even when done at a moderate pace,…
VIDEO! Jazz Drummer’s Workshop: Syncopation Revisited, Part 2: 3/4 Applications (From the July 2014 Issue)
by Steve Fidyk We continue this month with more of my favorite ways of interpreting the classic Ted Reed book Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer. This time we explore ways of converting the written manuscript from its…
VIDEO! Drum Country: Train Beat Variations (From the May 2014 Issue)
http://youtu.be/4xXrJ-HMgBY by Jim Riley The train beat is a must-have in your bag of tricks. While it’s most commonly used in country and bluegrass settings, with very little digging you can find examples of it in a multitude of genres,…
VIDEO! Jazz Drummer’s Workshop: Syncopation Revisited, Part 1: Basic Applications (From the June 2014 Issue)
http://youtu.be/lNuUOdR2z5I by Steve Fidyk This month’s Jazz Drummer’s Workshop features some of my favorite applications of the classic Ted Reed book Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer. Syncopation has been a staple since it was first published in…
Modern Drummer Education Team Weighs In On: Developing Independence
We asked the members of the Modern Drummer Education Team to share their thoughts on their favorite methods for developing independence. Here’s what they had to say. David Stanoch I think the terms “independence” and “coordination” are often confused…
VIDEO! Jazz Drummer’s Workshop: Shifting Sands (From the May 2014 Issue)
http://youtu.be/IVXHAhRfxb0 by Steve Fidyk Transitioning from one time signature, tempo, or musical style to another is a very common technique in modern jazz. These shifts are often referred to as metric modulations, where a specific note value from the current…
VIDEO! In the Pocket: Dubstep Drumming, Part 1: The Basics (From the May 2014 Issue)
http://www.youtube.com/embed/gWnGHbR5I9Q by Donny Gruendler Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music known for its head-nodding beats, dark atmosphere, and ear-shaking bass. It draws on many other genres, including Jamaican dub, hip-hop, jungle, drum ’n’ bass, and 2-step, while fusing…
VIDEO! Rock & Jazz Clinic: Give the Audience Some! (From the March 2014 Issue)
by Mike Johnston Playing songs in odd times can be challenging to you as a drummer, but one thing that doesn’t get much attention is how tough odd times can be on the audience. It’s called “odd” for a…
