December 2018 Issue – Volume 42 • Number 12
On 01st Dec 2018
Articles in December 2018
On Relaxation - An In-Depth Study to Develop Consistency
When executing individual stroke types, it’s important that our approach remains consistent no matter what type of stroke is played. It’s very easy for drummers to be more aggressive when playing a downstroke, or rapidly pull away from the drum…
Pantera's Vinnie Paul, Elvis Presley's D.J. Fontana, Richard Swift
Photo by Paul La Raia Remembering the metal drumming icon, Pantera cofounder, and backbone of Hellyeah and Damageplan. Vinnie Paul, who died this past June 22 at the age of fifty-four, possessed an unmistakable bass drum sound. But you never…
The Modern Drummer Guide to Reading Rhythms - Part 1
Part 1: Fundamental Elements of Music Notation
Aaron Sterling’s Sound of Sterloid, Volume II
“I do almost everything at my place now,” says top L.A.-based session drummer Aaron Sterling. In addition to recording about fifteen songs per week for artists and producers around the world, Sterling has created five online master classes that focus on…
New gear from TAMA, Zildjian, and Vic Firth!
Tama Classic Series Bass Drum Pedal With vintage design and modern functionality, the Classic pedal is designed to be light, responsive, and durable. Features include beater height adjustment, topside spring adjustment, a felt beater, an Easy-Tight hoop clamp, and a…
Scott Seiver with Tenacious D
Tracing the path that the prolific drummer, composer, and producer paved on his way to playing with the hilarious and hard-rocking act.
What’s Your Favorite Keith Moon Performance?
This month, as we dove into the drumming of both Pete Townshend on the Who’s demo tracks and Keith Moon on the band’s final output, we checked in with our readers and social media followers to see which “Moon the…
Samba Rhythms - Part 1: The Importance of the Tamborim
Hello, and welcome to a new series on Brazilian samba drumming! It’s a great pleasure to be discussing Brazilian rhythms and my approach to this style on the drumset. Generally, I feel that Brazilian rhythms can be divided into three…
Mo Drumsticks - Magnetic Beater System
A unique product to help boost your bass drum chops.
Session Great Nir Z
When it comes to gear, Jerusalem-born/Nashville-based session drummer Nir Zidkyahu, whose ultra-precise, intense pocket can be heard on hit records by pop/rock great John Mayer, alt-rock legend Chris Cornell, and modern country superstar Blake Shelton, isn’t too particular, as long…
Questlove's latest book and more
RECORDINGS Skyharbor Sunshine Dust Indian progressive metal titans release a gripping new album on the heels of successful tours with Babymetal, the Contortionist, and Deftones. Equal parts ethereal atmospherics, thick and chugging grooves, and soaring vocals, Skyharbor offer some of their…
In the Studio with Travis McNabb
When not touring with top modern country acts Sugarland and Frankie Ballard, this Tennessee transplant tracks drums for artists around the globe out of his home setup.
Paiste - Masters Extra Thin and Dark Additions
Soft and sophisticated crashes and splashes for supreme expressivity.
Drumset Ergonomics - Part 6: Positioning Secondary Suspended Instruments
In this final installment of this series, we’re going to address how to position the instruments that we only play five to thirty percent of the time, such as splashes, Chinas, cowbells, electric pads, additional rack toms, and auxiliary crashes.…
An Enduring Kit and an Unforgettable Time
This vintage 1963 Ludwig Hollywood set in an Oyster Black Pearl wrap comes to us from drummer Nelson Hawkins, who ordered it after paging through a Ludwig catalog in the early ’60s. The kit came with two 8x12 mounted toms,…
Quicksand’s Alan Cage
Quicksand drummer Alan Cage isn’t overly particular about his gear. “I’m not too attached,” he says. “But I don’t like deep drums, at least on the rack toms. I always play a 16" floor tom, but I don’t mind it…
