July 2023 – Volume 47 • Number 7

The Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming: Binary Beats

In the new and revised edition of the Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming, Bobby includes nine new double bass drumming chapters. The new and expanded edition covers contemporary techniques such as bass drum double strokes, feet-only exercises, binary and ternary…

Vince Wilburn Jr. and M.E.B. - Going to Miles Davis University

For everyone who might not know, Vince Wilburn Jr. is Miles Davis’ nephew and he recorded and toured with Miles for several years. He played drums on the recordings Man with the Horn, You’re Under Arrest, the new box set…

Snare Drum Duets: Duet 6

As an ongoing tribute to Ron Spagnardi who founded Modern Drummer Publications in 1977 and was an excellent drum teacher and author in his own right, Modern Drummer has been including some of the articles, exercises, and pieces that Ron…

John DeChristopher: A Life in the Drum Business

John DeChristopher is one of the most respected people in the drum business. He helped create the modern version of artist relations with his work with Simmons Drums, Drum Workshop, and Zildjian. His life in the drum industry parallels the…

July 2023 – Volume 47 • Number 7

OUT NOW! New Recordings in the July 2023 Issue

Modern Drummer is spotlighting certain new recordings that have the drums at the center of their sound. These recordings might be drummer-led, or just include a high-quality, special, or unique drumming and musical performance from the drummer and/or musicians in…

Why is One Never Enough?

As a self-confessed “snare drum junkie,” I often wonder why owning one snare drum is just never enough. As a fan of 1920s Ludwig two-piece Nickel Over Brass (NOB), Black Beauty’s, and Slingerland Radio King’s, why can’t I just stop…

Gretsch USA Custom Ridgeland Snare Drums That NEW Great Gretsch Sound

The Gretsch badge says “Drum Makers Since 1883.” OK, that’s something that gets my attention. They Started in Brooklyn but have been making drums in Ridgeland, South Carolina since the mid 1980’s and continue to make good on “That Great…

Gretsch Drums Premiere The Round Badge Stories New Documentary

A Celebration of ‘That Great Gretsch Sound’ Gretsch Drums are proud to premiere The Round Badge Stories, a new documentary exploring the heritage, uniqueness and mystique of ‘That Great Gretsch Sound.’ Watch the video at gretschdrums.com/the-round-badge-stories. Produced as part of…

The Bass Drum Owners Manual: Playing the Hi-Hat

This month Modern Drummer will continue to include excerpts from Michael Packer’s essential book on bass drum control and technique The Bass Drum Owners Manual: Applying the Moeller Technique to the Bass Drum. As you will see, this is a…

Latin Percussion Introduces New Rhythm Rods andSingle Brass Timbales

New synthetic and natural Rhythm Rods Latin Percussion (LP) is proud to launch its new range of synthetic and natural Rhythm Rods. The new rods, hybrids of regular sticks and brushes, offer drummers and percussionists greater versatility and a wider…

Jonathan “Ginger” Hamilton: The Thrill of Expression

It all started in a Southeast London church for Jonathan “Ginger” Hamilton. As a pastor’s kid, Jonathan grew up idolizing expressive gospel drummers, developing his chops at a young age, and working his way through the UK gospel scene. Of…

Walter G. Howe’s 1930’s Leedy Black Onyx Trap Set with Sentinel Silhouette Head

Northup Drums Museum is proud to present a time capsule drum kit that has everything including star power from the 1930’s! Let’s learn about this beautiful kit and it’s famous owner. Walter G. Howe of Boston, Massachusetts was a Leedy…

PDP Concept Series LTD Mapa Burl 4-Piece Shell Pack & Matching Snare Drum A limited-edition gem, perfect for play and display

This year, Pacific Drums and Percussion (PDP) introduced a stunning Mapa Burl drum kit & matching snare drum. These limited production drums have a look that stands out among the other PDP drum kit offerings. In our exclusive product close-up…

Gil Moore’s 1970s Tama Imperialstar Triumph Tour Kit

Shown here is the 1970s era Tama Imperialstar kit, finished in a black gloss PVC wrap, that Gil Moore used in the early days of Triumph’s touring success. The kit features shells made of Luan (also known as Philippine Mahogany.)…

A Dutch Beauty

Dutch drummer Bas Prins has invited Modern Drummer and our readers to enjoy some pictures of his beautiful Ayotte kit. Bas uses a special “one of a kind” 10” Keplinger snare. with his kit. Also pictured are an assortment of…

How To Deal with Nervousness

“The struggle ends when the gratitude begins.”-Neale Donald Walsch The RLG mantra will empower you to channel new levels of energy and creativity when it counts. Performance anxiety can get in the way of big moments when all we want…

Sabian Re-Introduces 22” HH Todd Sucherman Sessions Ride

SABIAN is proud to announce the release of the 22” HH Todd Sucherman Sessions Ride cymbal. Normally Limited Editions are just that….limited! Well, in the case of the 22” HH Sessions Ride, they’ve just “Unlimited” it! This cymbal, which was…

Keeping Score

Music should not be a contest. The great Hungarian composer Bela Bartok is quoted as having said that competitions should be for horses, not musicians. He refused to sit on competition juries because he didn’t want the decisions on his…

Bill Stewart’s Phrasing in Five

I’ve been a big Bill Stewart fan for quite some time now. Ever since I heard him on his first solo outing, I’ve always looked forward to the various records to which he would collaborate. One of Bill’s best collaborations…