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.
Rock & Jazz Clinic: Grooving in Form, Part 1: AABA Beats (VIDEO)
The excerpt below is taken from the complete article that appears in the July 2015 issue, which is available here. Rock & Jazz Clinic Grooving in Form Part 1: AABA Beats by Mike Johnston One of the first things you learn…
Strictly Technique: Flowing Groupings and Fill-Ins Exercises for Increased Single-Stroke Control
The excerpt below is taken from the complete article that appears in the July 2015 issue, which is available here. Strictly Technique Flowing Groupings and Fill-Ins Exercises for Increased Single-Stroke Control by Bill Bachman This month we’re going to work…
VIDEO LESSON! Elvin Jones–Style Triplet Fills, Part 3
The excerpt below is taken from the complete article that appears in the July 2015 issue, which is available here. Jazz Drummer’s Workshop Elvin Jones–Style Triplet Fills Part 3: More Two-Bar Patterns by John Xepoleas Welcome to the third and…
VIDEO LESSON! Progressive Drumming Essentials, Part 1: Understanding Odd Time Signatures
The excerpt below is taken from the complete article that appears in the July 2015 issue, which is available here. Rock Perspectives Progressive Drumming Essentials Part 1: Understanding Odd Time Signatures by Aaron Edgar Before we start playing sick proggy…
Modern Drummer Education Team Weighs In On: Learning Other Instruments
We asked the members of the Modern Drummer Education Team if they felt that it’s important for drummers to learn to play other instruments (piano, bass, guitar, etc.), or should they focus on honing their craft at the kit exclusively?…
VIDEO LESSON! The Drumset Drag: Orchestration Options for Powerful and Melodic Textures
This excerpt is taken from the complete review that appears in the June 2015 issue, which can be purchased here. Rock & Jazz Clinic The Drumset Drag Orchestration Options for Powerful and Melodic Textures by Powell Randolph In this lesson we’re…
VIDEO LESSON! Dynamics Mechanics: Loud, Soft, and Everything in Between
This excerpt is taken from the complete review that appears in the June 2015 issue, which can be purchased here. Strictly Technique Dynamics Mechanics Loud, Soft, and Everything in Between by Bill Bachman I believe that a drummer should be able…
VIDEO LESSON! Elvin Jones–Style Triplet Fills, Part 2: Orchestrating Accent Patterns
This excerpt is taken from the complete review that appears in the June 2015 issue, which can be purchased here. Jazz Drummer’s Workshop Elvin Jones–Style Triplet Fills Part 2: Orchestrating Accent Patterns by John Xepoleas Welcome to our second lesson covering…
VIDEO LESSON! Drum Miking 101, Part 5: Multi-Mic Setup
This excerpt is taken from the complete review that appears in the June 2015 issue, which can be purchased here. Electronic Insights Drum Miking 101 Part 5: Multi-Mic Setup by John Emrich Over the past few months, we’ve explored miking a…
VIDEO LESSON! John Bonham–Style Foot Pattern: Getting Creative With the “Four Sticks??? Ostinato
This excerpt is taken from the complete review that appears in the June 2015 issue, which can be purchased here. Rock Perspectives John Bonham–Style Foot Pattern Creative Ideas Based on the “Four Sticks” Ostinato by Powell Randolph Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham…
VIDEO LESSON! Strictly Technique: Pataflafla Builder
This post is excerpted from the complete article that appears in the May 2015 issue. Strictly Technique Pataflafla Builder Exercises for Developing a Challenging Yet Musical Rudiment by Bill Bachman One of the most beneficial of the forty PAS rudiments…
VIDEO LESSON! Jazz Drummer’s Workshop: Elvin Jones–Style Triplet Fills, Part 1
This post is an excerpt from the complete article that appears in the May 2015 issue. Jazz Drummer’s Workshop Elvin Jones–Style Triplet Fills Part 1: Creating a Rolling Melodic Feel Using Basic Stickings by John Xepoleas In this lesson I’m going…
VIDEO LESSON! Electronic Insights: Drum Miking 101, Part 4: Four Mics
This post is excerpted from the complete article that appears in the May 2015 issue. Electronic Insights Drum Miking 101 Part 4: Four Microphones by John Emrich At this point in the series, you should have a good idea of…
What You Need to Know About...Drum Tuning
This article originally ran in the Jan/Feb 2013 issue of Drum Business. by Ben Meyer My snare just doesn’t have the "crack" I want, and my toms don’t sound like they do on the radio. How do I tune these…