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.
What You Need to Know About...Counterhoops
This article originally ran in the July/Aug 2010 issue of Drum Business. by Fran Azzarto Counterhoops are among the more mysterious elements of a drumkit. Some drummers aren’t even aware that there are different types, and among…
10 Tips from Bobby Sanabria
The renowned Latin and jazz drummer/percussionist has always known how to get his point across, whether in the studio, on stage, or in the classroom. Here he offers words of advice that all of us, regardless of age or preferred…
What You Need to Know About...Electronic Percussion
This article originally ran in the Nov/Dec 2012 issue of Drum Business. Drummers are drawn to electronic percussion for the same reasons today as we were back in the early ’80s, after the introduction of the Linn LM-1 and the…
In the Pocket: “Rock Steady??? Demystified (VIDEO)
This article is an excerpt from the April 2015 issue, which can be purchased here. In the Pocket “Rock Steady” Demystified Four Steps to Mastering Advanced Funk Grooves by Jim Payne Have you ever checked out Bernard Purdie’s beat on…
Drum Miking 101, Part 3: Three-Mic Setups (VIDEO)
This article is an excerpt from the April 2015 issue, which can be purchased at here. Electronic Insights Drum Miking 101 Part 3: Three-Mic Setups by John Emrich So far in this series we’ve looked at mixing a drumset with…
Rock Perspectives: Diamonds in the Ruff, Part 2: The Sexy Four-Stroke (VIDEO)
This article is an excerpt from the April 2015 issue, which can be purchased here. Rock Perspectives Diamonds in the Ruff Part 2: The Sexy Four-Stroke by Matt Starr Welcome to part two of our miniseries on the ruff. I…
What You Need to Know About...Bass Drum Pedals
This article originally ran in the Sept/Oct 2011 issue of Drum Business. by Billy Brennan At first thought, it might be easy to write off any bass drum pedal as a simple combination of footboard and beater.…
What You Need to Know About...Mallets
This article originally ran in the July/Aug 2012 issue of Drum Business. by Ben Meyer “Which one is the xylophone”? “How do I tell where the notes are”? “Are these the right mallets”? Those are just a few…
Rock & Jazz Clinic: Progressive Independence: Rock Revisited (VIDEO)
Progressive Independence: Rock Revisited A Step-by-Step Method for Building Creative Coordination by Miguel Monroy Fifteen years ago, the founder of Modern Drummer, Ron Spagnardi, published a book devoted to developing independence for rock and funk drumming. This book, Progressive Independence:…
What You Need to Know About...Drum Shells
This article originally ran in the Sept/Oct 2011 issue of Drum Business. by Fran Azzarto So far in this column, we’ve discussed drumsticks and counterhoops. Now it’s time to dig in and take a look at what we…
Rock Perspectives: The Mighty Three-Stroke Ruff (VIDEO)
The following post is excerpted from the March 2015 of Modern Drummer Magazine. Rock Perspectives Diamonds in the Ruff Part 1: The Mighty Three-Stroke by Matt Starr The first thing I learned when I started taking drum lessons was the…
Modern Drummer Education Team Weighs In On: Learning Other Styles
We asked the members of the Modern Drummer Education Team if they felt that it’s important for all drummers to study Latin music and other musical genres, even if they don’t intend to ever perform those styles. Here’s what they…
What You Need to Know About...Drum Cases
This article originally ran in the July/Aug 2013 issue of Drum Business. by Ben Meyer A great investment deserves protection, but finding the right cases for your drums, cymbals, and hardware can be tricky, because there are so many choices. Having…
What You Need to Know About...Drum Mics
This article originally ran in the Nov/Dec 2011 issue of Drum Business. by Billy Brennan By its very nature, the drumset can be the hardest instrument to mike. Guitarists, for example, have it easy: They have only themselves, their axe,…
