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.
Read moreThe Iconic Jack DeJohnette Has Died
Jack DeJohnette, one of jazz’s most inventive and wide-ranging drummers, whose supple, multidirectional rhythms helped redefine modern jazz for more than six decades, died Sunday in Kingston, N.Y. He was 83. The cause was congestive heart failure, according to his wife and manager, Lydia DeJohnette.
Read moreFrom Editor George Lawrence
My new book, The Missing Rudiments, is on sale as a printable pdf down load now in the NotSoModernDrummer Store. An excerpt from the book is in this month’s emailed issue.
Read moreThe difference between ruffs and drags - an excerpt from "The Missing Rudiments" book by George Lawrence
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.
Read moreFrom Editor George Lawrence
Moving, inventory liquidation, July/August issue, spinning plates in the air.
Read moreFrom Editor George Lawrence
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.
Read moreFrom the desk of editor George Lawrence
George Roy Lawrence III’s desk, inherited from George Roy Lawrence Jr. and custom built for George Roy Lawrence Senior.
Sorry for the late April Issue. Life happens and gets in the way. Seems like I bite off more than I can chew these days.
Read moreFrom editor George Lawrence
This is a game changer – the most obvious advancement being the drastically reduced weight.
Read moreFrom editor George Lawrence
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.
Read moreFrom Editor George Lawrence
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
Read moreFrom Editor George Lawrence
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”.
Read moreEpisode #5 Video; 5 Minute Lessons with George Lawrence
The Samba Train beat. video episode #5 in “5 minute lessons with George Lawrence”
Read moreEpisode #3 Video; 5 minute lessons with George Lawrence - Garibaldi Sevens
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.
Read moreFive minute Lessons with George Lawrence - 6 and 3 Stroke Rolls
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.
Read moreIn Memoriam - Mark "Whitey" Cooper, well respected drum collector and historian, passes
The vintage drum collecting world mourns the passing of Mark “Whitey” Cooper, a great friend and colleague, as well as one of the most important experts on many aspects of drums and drum set history. Mark was one of those guys that every one, and I mean every one, liked and loved. The first time that I met Mark at a drum show I knew that he would be one of my favorite people. Instant comrades.
Read moreFrom Publish Editor George Lawrence
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.
Read moreSantana Drum Legend Michael Shrieve Releases New Album “Drums of Compassion”
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.
Read moreFrom Editor George Lawrence
I’ve been besieged more and more by “writers” wanting to contribute guest articles or editorials on ANY subject for FREE and all they want is a link to a gambling site or some other bs site. Riiiight.
Read moreFrom Editor George Lawrence
Every drummer has their idiosyncrasies about their kit. We appreciate the offer to help, folks, but just wait ‘til we have it all packed up in the cases. That’s when the heavy lifting starts.
Read moreFrom The Editor
Another notice that I have put Not So Modern Drummer Magazine up for sale. If you are an interested party please email me at George@notsomoderndrummer.com for details. I bought a private island and will be retiring there. There’s a drum set on it.
John Crocken announces that the winner of his Speed-A-Beat bass drum pedal attachment was Alan Pollard of Flower Mound, TX. Congratulations Alan! To check out John’s Speed-A-Beat, go to this DrumSellers listing
Joel Rothman, probably the most prolific writer of drum instruction books, is offering a free book to anyone who would like to have it. His “Rock Breaks in a 12/8 Feel: is free to anyone who wants it as a pdf download. It is no longer available in print. Email Joel at joelrothmanpublications@gmail.com. Include your email address so he can email you the pdf. Also visit www.JoelRothman.com to see the 100+ drum books he has written.
And that is all the news from Lake Woebegone.