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Not So Modern Drummer

1370 Vera Cruz St.
Memphis
3303386035
Since 1988, a treasure trove of info about vintage drums, custom drums & legendary drummers

Drummer community & drum marketplace
The first vintage & Custom Drum Magazine, since 1988

Not So Modern Drummer

  • Home
  • Subscribe -FREE
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  • Donate
  • Contact
  • Writers/Articles
  • Drum History Podcast
  • Drumming News
  • Research & Resources
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talking drums.jpg

Editor George Lawrence - Talking Drums

Featured
Eight Missing Paradiddles - an excerpt from "The Missing Rudiments" book by George Lawrence
Oct 31, 2025
Eight Missing Paradiddles - an excerpt from "The Missing Rudiments" book by George Lawrence
Oct 31, 2025

There are eight “missing” diddle (paradiddle) fundamental stickings in the list below: The tap diddle, right paradiddle, left paradiddle, five-a diddle, triplet diddle, ruff-a diddle, seven-a-diddle, and the paradiddle-diddle-diddle.

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Oct 31, 2025
On growing old as a drummer, and age-ism bias
Oct 31, 2025
On growing old as a drummer, and age-ism bias
Oct 31, 2025

I was hesitant to write this article for several years because I was still betwixt and between “growing older” and “old”. It is a subject that most drummers want to put off thinking about until later, and sometimes until it’s too late.

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Oct 31, 2025
For Sale - 1980s Tama Imperialstar 5" x 14" Powerline 8065 seamless shell snare
Oct 12, 2025
For Sale - 1980s Tama Imperialstar 5" x 14" Powerline 8065 seamless shell snare
Oct 12, 2025

This drum is in excellent ++ working order. The seamless Powerline metal shell drums sound great and punchy whether tuned low and fat or tight and crisp

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Oct 12, 2025
SOLD! For Sale - Ludwig 6.5" x 14" Millennium LM2000MX6 snare drum from 2000
Oct 12, 2025
SOLD! For Sale - Ludwig 6.5" x 14" Millennium LM2000MX6 snare drum from 2000
Oct 12, 2025

This is from a Limited Edition, # 83 out of 100.

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Oct 12, 2025
The difference between ruffs and drags - an excerpt from "The Missing Rudiments" book by George Lawrence
Sep 30, 2025
The difference between ruffs and drags - an excerpt from "The Missing Rudiments" book by George Lawrence
Sep 30, 2025

From my new book “The Missing Rudiments - ”The current modern majority opinion is that, since they can’t both be and are not the same thing, a drag has double stroke grace notes and most ruffs have single stroke grace notes. I agree with that majority in keeping it simple but with the caveat that there are other known stickings for ruffs by historically important authors, which are included in this book. So,“ruff is ruff, drag is drag, and never the twain shall meet.

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Sep 30, 2025
Brady 8 pc drum kit - value?
Aug 5, 2025
Brady 8 pc drum kit - value?
Aug 5, 2025

I was wondering if you could assist me with a drum kit. I currently have my father's Brady Drum kit he purchased in around 1992.

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Aug 5, 2025
Introduction to Billy Cuthrell & The Future of DrumSellers.com
Jun 30, 2025
Introduction to Billy Cuthrell & The Future of DrumSellers.com
Jun 30, 2025

“I was one of the early users of DrumSellers and over the years the site has become a regular part of my daily routine, which goes something like this; Get out of bed, brush my teeth, check DrumSellers to see what's new on the site, check other email then start my "regular" work day. I'll usually check DrumSellers throughout the day to get an update on a listing I may be pondering or just to look at all the great drums and gear on the site.”

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Jun 30, 2025
From  Editor George Lawrence
Jun 21, 2025
From Editor George Lawrence
Jun 21, 2025

There are a few changes going on at Not So Modern Drummer and with me. First and foremost, Billy Cuthrell is the new owner of DrumSellers.com.

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Jun 21, 2025
John Crocken Drum Sticks has a very nice new website
May 30, 2025
John Crocken Drum Sticks has a very nice new website
May 30, 2025

With decades of experience and performance under his belt—from serving in the Army band to dazzling audiences alongside A-list celebrities and Broadway musicals—John harnessed his skills to infuse every pair of sticks with superior craftsmanship and an unrivaled ethos.

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May 30, 2025
 Keith Carlock FULL (!) 20 MIN SOLO ‪@theukdrumshow‬ 2024
May 30, 2025
Keith Carlock FULL (!) 20 MIN SOLO ‪@theukdrumshow‬ 2024
May 30, 2025

Keith was a student of several teachers who taught at my George’s Drum Shop in Jackson Mississippi in the mid 80s; me, Quinous Johnson, Bud Berthold and he also was taught by my first drum teacher, Herman “Sonny” Hill. My opinion is this is one of the best solos he has ever played. Watch it, then go practice or lock your drums up in the closet! :-)

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May 30, 2025
KOSA  Mediterranean Dream Retreat! July 14-21, 2025
May 8, 2025
KOSA Mediterranean Dream Retreat! July 14-21, 2025
May 8, 2025
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May 8, 2025
Lawrence Drums/Famous Drums
Mar 31, 2025
Lawrence Drums/Famous Drums
Mar 31, 2025

My second George’s Drum Shop was located in Copley Ohio starting in 2002 then moved to Cuyahoga Falls Ohio in 2006. I made and sold a lot of drum sets and snare drums during those years.

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Mar 31, 2025
Sonor announces 150th Anniversary Signature and Sonorlite drum sets
Feb 19, 2025
Sonor announces 150th Anniversary Signature and Sonorlite drum sets
Feb 19, 2025

150 years of SONOR craftsmanship and innovation. To celebrate this milestone, we proudly present the 150th Anniversary SIGNATURE and SONORLITE Shell Sets

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Feb 19, 2025
From editor George Lawrence
Jan 31, 2025
From editor George Lawrence
Jan 31, 2025

Not a lot of articles this month. I suspect some of the writers are still shoveling snow off their driveways, BUT, there are some great ones. Especially Ed Tucker’s review of the first snare drums released by the new Slingerland company! An exclusive for NSMD.

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Jan 31, 2025
More Five Minute Drum Set Lessons with George Lawrence
Dec 30, 2024
More Five Minute Drum Set Lessons with George Lawrence
Dec 30, 2024

Here’s the playlist of the eight videos that are on YouTube so far. I have eight more in the can that will be uploaded soon. Enjoy!

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Dec 30, 2024
From Editor George Lawrence
Dec 30, 2024
From Editor George Lawrence
Dec 30, 2024

I hope you all had a good holiday and didn’t get switches and ashes in your stockings! There are some great articles in this issue. Jim

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Dec 30, 2024
From Editor George Lawrence
Dec 1, 2024
From Editor George Lawrence
Dec 1, 2024

I am also finished with my book I’ve been writing for at least a year – “ The Missing Rudiments – Expanding the American rudiment system with missing and long forgotten fundamental snare drum rudiments, plus the new drum set unison rudiments”.

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Dec 1, 2024
Episode #5 Video; 5 Minute Lessons with George Lawrence
Nov 28, 2024
Episode #5 Video; 5 Minute Lessons with George Lawrence
Nov 28, 2024

The Samba Train beat. video episode #5 in “5 minute lessons with George Lawrence”

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Nov 28, 2024
Episode #3 Video; 5 minute lessons with George Lawrence - Garibaldi Sevens
Nov 2, 2024
Episode #3 Video; 5 minute lessons with George Lawrence - Garibaldi Sevens
Nov 2, 2024

Episode #3 of 5 minute lessons with George Lawrence. This is a linear groove that Steve Klink taught me when I was teaching at Fork’s Drum Closet in the nineties; The Garibaldi Seven.

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Nov 2, 2024
From Editor George Lawrence
Oct 29, 2024
From Editor George Lawrence
Oct 29, 2024

I’ve started a video series in conjunction with Memphis Drum Shop; “Five Minute Lessons with George Lawrence”. Each video is a five minute or so lesson on how to play a groove, a fill, a rudiment, a pattern, etc. The concept came from drummers asking me “How did you play that”, referring to some short lick I played, and how I showed it to them.

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Oct 29, 2024
5 Minute Lessons with George Lawrence - #2 Flamacue Shuffle
Oct 28, 2024
5 Minute Lessons with George Lawrence - #2 Flamacue Shuffle
Oct 28, 2024

Here is the second video in the series "5 minute Drum Lessons w George Lawrence" shot at Memphis Drum Shop . We are publishing once a week on Saturdays. Hopefully there will be many more to come.

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Oct 28, 2024
Five minute Lessons with George Lawrence - 6 and 3 Stroke Rolls
Oct 22, 2024
Five minute Lessons with George Lawrence - 6 and 3 Stroke Rolls
Oct 22, 2024

Here is the first of 8 videos in the series "5 minute Drum Lessons w George Lawrence" shot at Memphis Drum Shop . We are publishing once a week on Saturdays. Hopefully there will be many more to come. This can also be found on MemphisDrumShop.com. Just scroll down the front page.

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Oct 22, 2024
Video of George Lawrence - "Groovin' in Memphis" video series w Chris Pat Brown
Oct 14, 2024
Video of George Lawrence - "Groovin' in Memphis" video series w Chris Pat Brown
Oct 14, 2024

George Lawrence talking and playing with Chris Pat Brown at Memphis Drum Shop.

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Oct 14, 2024
A rare George Way/Advanced Drum Co. brass marching snare drum
Sep 30, 2024
A rare George Way/Advanced Drum Co. brass marching snare drum
Sep 30, 2024

a bass player I know dropped off a couple items that he no longer wanted. One being a brass snare shell made by the Advanced Drum Co.

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Sep 30, 2024
Michael Carlito's Transnare Drums
Sep 30, 2024
Michael Carlito's Transnare Drums
Sep 30, 2024

The creation of a Transnare drum involves a combination of traditional luthier techniques and modern equipment, such as CNC machines. The entire process, from initial design to the final product, takes several months to complete. In many cases, I build custom jigs and fixtures to perform specific tasks during the drum’s construction.

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Sep 30, 2024
Album Review - New Start by bassist Tom Kennedy w Dave Weckl on drums
Jul 29, 2024
Album Review - New Start by bassist Tom Kennedy w Dave Weckl on drums
Jul 29, 2024

I’m featuring a great album by a bassist this month, Tom Kennedy, not just because he is a great bassist and a musician, but also because one of my favorite drummers, Dave Weckl, is playing on the album. Weckl

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Jul 29, 2024
Les Demerle's Dance and Jazz Party Cruise - Nov. 10-17, 2024
Jul 29, 2024
Les Demerle's Dance and Jazz Party Cruise - Nov. 10-17, 2024
Jul 29, 2024
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Jul 29, 2024
From Publish Editor George Lawrence
Jun 29, 2024
From Publish Editor George Lawrence
Jun 29, 2024

I got a call from producer Bobby Colomby, former drummer for Blood Sweat and Tears, to play on this recording by the band Pages in L.A. in 1979.

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Jun 29, 2024
Santana Drum Legend Michael Shrieve Releases New Album “Drums of Compassion”
Jun 25, 2024
Santana Drum Legend Michael Shrieve Releases New Album “Drums of Compassion”
Jun 25, 2024

Drummers! You must hear this music. Besides Shrieve’s incredible drumming, the sound of his drums is SOOOO good and big on this recording. The ambience and depth of the soundscape is hypnotic, entrancing. Captivating heavy grooves that defy categorization. You will want to listen to this masterpiece on a very high end stereo system or studio quality headphones.

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Jun 25, 2024
How to make a snare drum out of popsicle sticks
May 31, 2024
How to make a snare drum out of popsicle sticks
May 31, 2024

How to make a professional quality snare drum out of Popsicle sticks, tongue depressors, and craft sticks (sticks that at least look kind of like popsicle sticks anyway), including the drum shell, drum lugs, snare strainer/throw mechanism, and butt plate. by hand, the drum is constructed, finished in violin spirit varnish.

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May 31, 2024

 

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