I’ve found that many drummers have difficulty when a drum arrangement is full of tied notes. No doubt one of the reasons has to do with the lack of practice reading material with tied notes in drum books.The rhythm in the following etude is simple, but it’s replete with ties. Reading it perfectly at sight may prove challenging even for drummers experienced in reading charts
Read moreNAIVE OR JUST PLAIN STUPID?
I was actually unaware that there were tiny bottles of liquor for sale--I simply assumed they were free samples given to hotels for their guests as advertisements. Before going home I took all the small bottles from the fridge thinking I would give them to friends, and packed them into my drum case with the snare.
Read moreCymbal/Snare Coordination w 16th Notes
The following article shows what I consider 40 basic two-way coordination patterns between the eighth note rock cymbal pattern and snare drum using sixteenth notes.
Read moreThe Single Stroke Four (Four Stroke Ruff)
The Single Stroke Four, which I prefer to call the Four Stroke Ruff, is one of the most lovely-sounding rhythmic embellishments played by drummers when executed perfectly, either with brushes or sticks. And it is used quite often by most players. But the ruff is not easy to perform exactly right every time. I’ve heard even top-notch drummers mess it up once in a while. The exercises below will go a long way in helping any
drummer develop or polish up this wonderful rudiment.
Read moreDid You Know?
A newer study suggests that drummers have fewer but thicker fibres in the main connecting track between the two halves of the brain. And it seems the motor areas of the brain are organized more efficiently. Playing four-way coordination at the drum set requires the use of both sides of the brain simultaneously. It’s thought this type of activity improves IQ levels. It also improves memory, focus, and hand-eye coordination.
Read morePutting The Accents on Accents
Developing the skill to play accents helps to strengthen your hands in order to build technique. Moreover, accents are an essential part of playing breaks and solos. Whether it’s rock, jazz, latin, marching or classical music, accents have an important role to play. The following etude is named , ACCENTUATION. It’s from my book, DUET YOURSELF BOOK TWO. The rhythmic makeup couldn’t be simpler since the etude is all with eighth notes. At first glance it’s deceptively easy, but working up the etude to speed without making mistakes might prove a little tricky for some readers.
Read moreJOEL ROTHMAN; The Jazz Cymbal Beat
cartoon by Joel Rothman
Joel explains how the swing ride pattern is played differently at different tempos.
Read moreDrum Education Live Podcast Live - Joel Rothman
Great podcast episode with Joel Rothman who, at 84, is still kickin’ and sharing his experiences as a life long drummer.
Read moreDrumming is in the ear of the beholder
Dynamics is the key to a musical performance.
Read moreThe Jazz Cymbal Beat
Joel Rothman goes deep into time signatures and note values when explaining the jazz cymbal pattern.
Read moreA Conversation Between a Drummer And An Unwanted Visitor
A storm was brewing for hours. It finally broke with an ear splitting bolt of lightning that flashed across the sky, followed by a thunderous roar. All of a sudden there was a loud single paradiddle knock at the door. I called to my wife, “Honey, please see who it is."
Read moreEnlightment! Ruffs and Drags - 16ths, 32nds, or 64ths?
Joel Rothman, our newest columnist, explains the different rhythmic values of ruffs and drags.
Read moreNSMD welcomes columnist and advertiser Joel Rothman
Not So Modern Drummer proudly welcomes new columnist and new advertiser, Joel Rothman. Joel is the author of almost 100 drum instruction books, most notably the best selling “Basic Drumming”, a very thick all-in-one method book for beginning and intermediate students. I started using this big red book in 1996 when I encountered it at Fork’s Drum Closet In Nashville where I taught for a number of years.
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