News Archive


Mark Guiliana on David Bowie’s Blackstar

Monday, February 29th, 2016

For his final adventurous recording, David Bowie enlisted five of New York City’s most adventurous musicians. Drummer Mark Guiliana is well known to Modern Drummer readers; joining him on Blackstar are saxophonist Donny McCaslin, keyboard player Jason Lindner, bassist Tim Lefebvre, and guitarist...

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Pretty Purdie is ready to take center stage

Saturday, February 27th, 2016

You may not know his name, but you’ve heard Bernard “Pretty” Purdie play drums. Over five decades, the prolific session musician has backed some of the 20th century’s biggest hits. Now, at 74, he’s ready to take center stage. Buddha-calm and Buddha-bellied, Bernard Purdie sat alone at a...

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Drummer teaches kids with autism the magic of music

Friday, February 26th, 2016

Local musician Jay DiBella sings and plays drums for his blues band. It’s his passion. But he has another passion, too. DiBella is using his musical talents to help children with autism express themselves through music in the Speak Through the Arts program. When DiBella heard about the Speak...

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Make sure you’re at Music Education Expo 2016

Thursday, February 25th, 2016

Influence: Munira Mirza, Deputy Mayor for Education & Culture; Veronica Wadley, Senior Mayoral Advisor; Anne Canning, Chair of the Mayor’s Music Education Taskforce; Jem Shuttleworth, Chief Executive of Music Mark and Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England...

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Slash drummer Brent Fitz’s top 5 tips for writing musical drum parts

Wednesday, February 24th, 2016

Canadian drummer and multi-instrumentalist Brent Fitz has carved out an extremely successful touring and session career, providing muscular but musical beats for the likes of Theory of a Deadman, Alice Cooper, Vince Neil, Union and, most recently, Slash. Here he shares tips on how to write and play...

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Retailers should back Learn to Play Day

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016

Unsure whether or not to get involved with this year’s Learn to Play Day? Here are five reasons why you can’t afford not to. Organised by the charity Music for All, National Learn to Play Day returns for its fourth year at venues across the UK. Taking place on March 12th-13th 2016, the general...

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This Drummer Has Three Arms

Monday, February 22nd, 2016

Robotics engineers at Georgia Tech have developed a robotic limb that acts like a third arm to greatly increase the creative capability of drummers.In this video, you can see the arm in action, keeping time and coordinating drum kit positions along with a two-armed, human drummer. “We believe that...

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ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR ASPIRING DRUMMERS

Sunday, February 21st, 2016

There’s probably a few more here, but these are probably some of the ones that can help the most if you are early on in your playing.  We know there’s loads more great tips out there to be had so what would you include?

1. Get lessons from a professional drum teacher. With all the online...

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PUT IT IN YOUR DIARY NOW!

Saturday, February 20th, 2016

Valentine’s Day is over, some of you are enjoying a well-deserved half-term break and we are putting the final touches to EXPO 2016. Everyone here is very excited about Ben Goldscheider’s opening performance on Thursday, 25th February so make sure you get there early to see the youngest ever...

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Why You Should Play Drums to a Click

Friday, February 19th, 2016

Bring Me the Horizon drummer Matt Nicholls offered a great interview recently, sharing nothing but honest thoughts and advice. Matt, who’s been in the group since they started in 2003, admitted that he barely knew to play drums at the beginning, and said that he hated playing to a click at...

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Ears Pro: in-ear monitors for musicians and engineers

Thursday, February 18th, 2016

Ultimate Ears began because Alex Van Halen and his monitor engineer were tired of having things get between them and their music. So they took matters into their own hands and changed music forever. After working on prototypes for the band, they started sharing the first Custom In-Ear Monitors with...

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Korg UK Announce Milton Keynes ‘Learn To Play Day’ Event

Wednesday, February 17th, 2016

Learn To Play Day is a national event organised by the Music for All charity to inspire new, or lapsed musicians of all ages to take up playing an instrument. This year KORG UK is inviting people of all ages along to enjoy a free introductory lesson on a whole range of instruments.  Visitors can...

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The First True Drumming Idol

Tuesday, February 16th, 2016

Chick was born in Baltimore, Maryland on February 10, 1907. He suffered from tuberculosis of the spine, which left him badly crippled. It wasn’t until he underwent a painful operation as a child that he was able to use his feet. Ironically, it was this childhood trauma that inevitably led Webb...

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Drum Legend Corky Laing Is Back On The Road!

Monday, February 15th, 2016

NYC – The legendary drummer, Corky Laing, is back on the road with his first solo project since 1977. “Corky Laing plays Mountain” toured the UK in November 2015. Following an enthusiastic response from the UK audiences, he returns to Europe this spring. First up is a nine-day tour of Germany...

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Jazz drummer Don Carter dies at 72

Sunday, February 14th, 2016

Donald Carter said he first found his rhythm beating pencils on his desk at his elementary school in Harlem. That rhythm turned him into a renowned jazz drummer and a respected member of the Jersey City community. Carter, an accomplished musician and educator, died at the age of 72 on Dec. 26 at...

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