Lesson of the Week

Peter Erskine: Dynamic Swing

Phrasing on the drum set involves dynamic as well as rhythmic choices. In this lesson, Peter Erskine explores the possibilities of dynamic phrasing.

Lesson of the Week

Chad Smith: Laid-Back Slinky Feel

On the tune “Walk About” from the One Hot Minute CD, Chad Smith basically plays old, slinky, ’70s funk.

Lesson of the Week

Pro Insight: Terry Bozzio Master Class

From a clinic in Chicago, we share some of Terry Bozzio's insight and advice on exercises and practicing, with transcriptions and examples inside.

Lesson of the Week

Wedding Drumming 101: A Crash Course

Here you will find the do's and don'ts of playing a wedding gig — covering everything from how to dress, to the essential grooves you'll need to know.

Lesson of the Week

Allison Miller: The Melody Puzzle

Allison Miller reminds us that learning the melody of a song will improve our time, phrasing, soloing and most importantly, listening skills.

Lesson of the Week

Peter Erskine: Disengaging Triplet Figures

Try your hand at playing solo, unison, and connected triplet figures while maintaining a steady and swinging ride cymbal pattern.

Lesson of the Week

Terence Higgins: Pushing The Paradiddle

“Locomotive, locomotive!” Remember that old mnemonic for the paradiddle that our beginning music teachers taught us? Well, the diddle has come a long way since then.

Lesson of the Week Practice Pad Jazz

Peter Erskine: Fun With 3-Against-4 Bebop

Here’s a fun and rhythmically exciting bit of coordination for you to master at the drum set.

Lesson of the Week Practice Pad Metal

Matt Byrne’s Metal Secrets: Double Trouble

This lesson is going to focus on the rudiment that we metal heads tend to overlook — the double stroke.

Lesson of the Week

Stanton Moore: Crescent City Spirit

Stanton Moore currently plays with the New Orleans funk band Galactic. They have two albums out on Capricorn Records. Moore also has released a solo album called All Kooked Out on Fog City Records. The Magnolia Special Over the years playing in New Orleans I’ve come up with several grooves that work well in a variety of situations.