Modern Drummer
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.
Product Close-Up: Gretsch Catalina Ash Drumset (December 2014 Issue)
This review of Gretsch’s Catalina Ash kit originally appeared in the December 2014 issue of Modern Drummer magazine. Revived and revised, the latest mid-price offering from one of the most historic names in drums just got that much better. …
Basics: Radio Beats (From the January 2015 Issue)
Radio Beats 7 Real-World Applications of Essential, Time-Honored Grooves by Rich Redmond In this month’s article, we take a look at some popular grooves on country radio right now. All of them are variations of what I call “money beats,”…
Electronic Insights: Drum Miking 101, Part 1: Single-Microphone Setups (From the January 2015 Issue)
by John Emrich In this series of articles we’ll look at how to mike a drumset, starting with a single microphone and adding one each time until we arrive at a complete close-mike configuration. The idea behind the series is…
Drum Soloist: Solid Soloing, Part 1: Connecting Ideas With Glue Stickings (December 2014 Issue)
by James Murphy Welcome to the first installment of a short series on gaining freedom and flow while soloing. Many of us have struggled with the ability to play a solo freely and musically without the constant burden of thinking…
Product Close-Up: Mapex Armory Series Drums
November 2014 Issue Product Close-Up Mapex Armory Series Drums Maple/birch shells, precise bearing edges, and a unique snare exchange program…at a midrange price? Yes, please! Mapex has been working hard to bring one-of-a-kind deals and pro-level features to the midrange…
Product Close-Up: De Gregorio Cajons and Ahead Armor Cajon Bags (December 2014 Issue)
December 2014 Product Close-Up De Gregorio Cajons and Ahead Armor Cajon Bags Innovative, great-sounding instruments plus some of the finest protective cases on the market. The Spanish cajon maker De Gregorio has been producing handcrafted instruments for the European and…
Jonathan Joseph: Tracking Soul Legend Betty Wright’s Living…Love…Lies
by Billy Amendola Jonathan Joseph recently wrapped up his second tour with legendary guitarist Jeff Beck, a gig that you can read all about in the November issue of Modern Drummer magazine. Here we talk with Joseph, who’s…
Brad Wilk Dashes Expectations With the Last Internationale
Recording with Black Sabbath was the first surprise. Now the ex-Rage/Audioslave drummer dashes expectations again with the Last Internationale. Interview by David Jarnstrom Photos by Paul La Raia Place yourself inside Brad Wilk’s Converse All-Stars for a moment.…
VIDEO! Jazz Drummers Workshop: Syncopation Revisited: Part 6: Assorted Applications (from the November 2014 issue)
November 2014 Jazz Drummer’s Workshop Syncopation Revisited Part 6: Assorted Applications by Steve Fidyk Welcome to the final installment of our series on ways to interpret the classic Ted Reed book Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer. The…
VIDEO! The Kick Hiccup: Boost Your Groove With Quick Bass Drum Doubles (From the November 2014 Issue)
November 2014 Basics The Kick Hiccup Boost Your Groove With Quick Bass Drum Doubles by Rich Redmond Drummers all over the world have been hip to the kick hiccup for years. First popularized by Carmine Appice with Vanilla Fudge and…
VIDEO! Power Triplets: Putting the Roll in Your Rock (From the October 2014 Issue)
October 2014 Basics Power Triplets Putting the Roll in Your Rock by Rich Redmond These exercises are inspired by the master jazz drummer Elvin Jones. In Elvin’s world, everything was a triplet. Inspired by the rhythms of Africa, he had…
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…
Drumerica Announces 2014 Contest Finalists
Videos to be posted at www.Drumerica.us. Drumerica, the National Contest For Young Drummers, has announced the names of the 18 finalists in this year’s competition. They are: • Swing/Blues (Groove Essentials Track #23): Chris Chandler • Latin (Groove Essentials…
Influences: Harvey Mason
by Ken Micallef Harvey Mason’s classic 1970s-era session work comprises some of the most soulful jazz, pop, and R&B recordings ever cut to vinyl. Mason’s golden ’70s period includes Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters, Donald Byrd’s Black Byrd, Seals…
