Modern Drummer

Product Description

Caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers through interviews with the world s best drummers. MD also reports on trends, activities, drum products, publications, and recordings. A roster of over 35 educational departments offers readers playing tips and advice.

Product Details

• Format: Magazine
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Publisher: Modern Drummer Publications
• ASIN: B00006KO9U
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #707 in Magazines (See Top 100 in Magazines)
  • #2 in Magazines > Electronics & Audio > Musical Instruments
  • #15 in Magazines > Entertainment > Music
This magazine subscription is provided by Magazine Express, Inc.

Top Customer Reviews

42 of 46 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Hit and miss November 25, 2002

By Daniel L Edelen TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE VOICE

Subscription Term Name:1 year

I've been a Modern Drummer reader/subscriber for a very long time and it's consistently been a decent magazine.
MD does excellent product reviews. They are always interesting to read and give a good idea of how a product sounds (always tricky) or works. Whenever MD focuses on equipment, be it the reviews or news of new equipment, the magazine excels. They do a very good job of keeping up with manufacturers all over the world. And this is no mean feat considering that the number of types of instruments and equipment that fall under the category of drums and percussion is probably as vast as all other instruments combined.
Also one of the better aspects of the magazine are the "filler" (nondepartmental) articles that vary from month to month. The editors do a respectable job of filling the mag with articles that will interest all aspects of the drumming community. Community also plays a big part. Drummers, unlike guitarists, tend to love each other rather than despise others with talent. Little things like updates on older drummers, world drummer features, new drummers featured every month, birthdays, and even obituaries foster this sense. The latter is one of the best aspects of the magazine, as the editors really hold the community feel in mind when doing obits, often featuring drummers and music folks that would never get press anywhere else. Having some history of drumming presented in this manner helps to appreciate those that went on before us.
MD also tries to help instructionally, publishing charts and transcriptions of famous drum performances. The editors consistently try to educate on several fronts, including technique, buying tips, how to make a living as a drummer, and so on. All these features are invaluable.
There are some flaws, though, with the biggest being the main interviews. Featured drummers have traditionally been big names, but those names anymore are from bands I have either never heard of or are lopsidedly in the metal/grunge/industrial arena. Most of these guys are here today and gone tomorrow. Plus, they usually have little to say about the craft. And their final critique: I get tired of all the multi-tattooed, "I'm Cool", metal coverboys staring out from the magazine rack in my living room. Nothing says style like have some guy with piercings all over his face brooding at friends, neighbors, and in-laws. Some of these guys on the covers even scare children.
Sadly, technique and craft are often not discussed in great detail in the main interviews. One recent edition had interviews with two veterans, Stewart Copeland and Vic Firth. And while this was one of the better copies of the mag, little of technique was discussed with these two drumming giants. If you have heard either play, and you are a drummer, you'd love to know how they do it and from where they pull their style. Considering that interviews comprise a large portion of the magazine, this can be disconcerting.
The magazine also features reviews of recordings, but seems to pull its punches, possibly for fear of losing advertisers. The lowest rating you almost ever see for recordings is a "6" out of "10", with most being an "8". Hey, I listen to a lot of music and the sub-6 category consists of about 90% of what is out there.
The last con is the look of the magazine. For a music magazine, it's not very hip-looking. The design of the magazine seems to always be stale, even when it is updated from time to time.
Still, despite its lacks, MD holds up. There are few other options for magazines for drummers, so you don't have a lot of choices anyway. Considering this, MD gets an extra star in the review simply for being there for those of us who like to hit the skins. Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Still haven't received first issue January 23, 2014

By Brett J. Trosclair

Subscription Term Name:1 year|Verified Purchase

I ordered this magazine for one of my kids as a Christmas gift and Guitar World for my other. We've already received two issues of Guitar World, but not a single issue of Modern Drummer. Maybe it will be a great magazine and I'll change my opinion, but on timeliness of delivery--dissatisfied.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Mix December 24, 2004

By Randy Given

Subscription Term Name:1 year

There aren't many magazines for drummers that you run across at your average newstand (usually only two or three). This is the best all-around one to get. Good interviews, good reviews, good advertising. Not much on the local scene, but I can live with that.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best, bar none. May 11, 2003

By Blake

Subscription Term Name:1 year

Modern Drummer is much more than a magazine about drummers; it's a magazine about DRUMMING. You simply can't find a better magazine that keeps you on top of everything drum-related. From new product reviews, to tuning techniques, to health columns about good playing posture and other drummer woes, to the well-written and informative articles, Modern Drummer is the best source of drumming information. Who knew that by reading a review with Godsmack's drummer, I'd learn that putting cotton balls in my floor tom is a great muffling technique? All music genres are covered in the magazine, with sheet music and guest columns from the world's greats showing how it's done.
If you're a drummer, do yourself a favor and get a subscription today. You will value this magazine for the rest of your life.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Still the best November 6, 2006

By MammaJamma

Subscription Term Name:1 year|Verified Purchase

Have read MD off & on for over 20 years; bummed by the dull content in the 90's, I switched to Drum! in 2005.......quickly went back to MD; you should too. 'Nuff said.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My daughter loves it! February 11, 2014

By Litha Sonner

Subscription Term Name:1 year|Verified Purchase

My daughter loves this magazine! She is a drummer. She plays many instruments in a local teen band, but the drums are her favorite.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a must have for all drummers January 8, 2005

By L. Sion

Subscription Term Name:1 year

I can't see any reason why drummers don't read Moderndrummer magazine. I've been subcribing Moderndrummer for years and I always enjoy reading them, comparing to other drum related mag, the interviews and critiques are very informative and inspiring, i learnt a lot about product knowledge and maintainence, drummers and bands, and not to mention technique thru out the years of subscrbing MD, the whole magazine is well organized by easy and comfortable to read lay-out and meaningful content, instead some of the so called drumming magazine which interview drummers about their day life and what they think about that specific cities, Moderndrummer really concentrate on how to help their reader to be a better drummer in general.

if you are drummer, and you never read Moderndrummer, go and subscribe MD, you need MD for your daily life.

5.0 out of 5 stars made someone very happy January 27, 2014

By rebecca russo

Subscription Term Name:1 year|Verified Purchase

When he knew the subscription was ending he said he was not going to renew because he does not get to plat as much. I renewed for him and he was so happy. Thank you