What Drum Lessons and Educational Resources Are Available on Modern Drummer?

Modern Drummer offers drum education through three main channels: a dedicated Drum Lessons section, broader Education content, and Artist Interviews that reveal technique and approach from working drummers. These resources sit alongside the magazine's news, gear reviews, podcasts, and video content. The site is aimed at drummers who want to improve their playing and learn from professionals, and it covers both online and print material. Access to some content may require a subscription, so check individual pages before assuming everything is free.

The Drum Lessons Section

The Drum Lessons section is the most direct route for players looking to build skills. It is listed in the site's main navigation alongside Education, so you can reach it from any page. This section is intended for players at different levels who want structured instructional material rather than general news.

When you open the section, expect lesson-style content focused on playing. The site does not publish a single fixed curriculum; instead, lessons appear as individual pieces. To use it effectively:

1. Go to the Drum Lessons link in the navigation.
2. Browse the available lessons and pick one that matches your current focus.
3. Read or watch the lesson, then practice the specific technique or pattern it covers.
4. Return to the section for the next lesson as you progress.

The expected result is a growing set of techniques and concepts you can apply behind the kit. A common sticking point is treating lessons as one-off reads; the value comes from practicing each one before moving on.

Education Content and Instructional Material

The Education section broadens the instructional scope beyond single lessons. It sits in the same navigation group as Drum Lessons and is part of the site's core offering, alongside Gear Reviews, Videos, and Artist Interviews. This is where you find content that supports learning in a wider sense—context, approach, and background that complement hands-on lessons.

Use Education when you want to understand the "why" behind playing decisions, not just the "how." For example, if you are working on a specific style, reading education content about that style's conventions gives you context that makes the lesson stick. The site describes its overall offering as including "podcasts, lessons and gear reviews," so Education and Drum Lessons together form the instructional backbone.

Artist Interviews as Learning Resources

Artist interviews are one of the most underrated educational resources on the site. The homepage features interviews with drummers discussing their records, tours, and creative process—content that often includes insights into technique and approach. Examples from the site include:

• Mike Mangini discussing his next chapter after Dream Theater, covered in a feature on his current work.
• Cindy Blackman-Santana talking about her record Coherence and her approach.
• Sully Erna of Godsmack on the "Battle of the Drums" segment of their live shows.
• Joe Sirois (Mighty Mighty Bosstones) and Chris Hesse (Hoobastank) on the Warped Tour then and now.

These interviews are not formatted as lessons, but they show how accomplished drummers think about their craft. Read them with a specific question in mind—for example, how a drummer builds a solo, or how they prepare for a tour—and you will extract practical ideas you can test in your own playing.

Video and Podcast Content

The site's navigation includes Videos and Podcasts, both of which support learning. Videos can demonstrate techniques and performances in a way text cannot, and podcasts offer long-form conversation with artists. The site describes its podcast content as part of its core offering, so these are worth checking when you want learning material in a different format. Use videos when you need to see a technique; use podcasts when you want background and perspective during practice breaks or commutes.

Gear Reviews and Their Educational Value

Gear Reviews are listed as a main section and are relevant to learning in a practical way. Understanding how equipment affects sound and feel helps you make informed choices as you develop. Reviews are not lessons, but they answer questions like which kit or cymbal suits a style you are studying. Treat them as decision-support content rather than instruction.

Community and Recognition Programs

The site also lists community features that support development:

• Readers Poll — a way to see which drummers the community rates highly, useful for finding players to study.
• Neil Peart Scholarship — a recognition program tied to the magazine's educational mission.
• Drummer Hall of Fame — a reference for the players who shaped the instrument, useful for building a listening list.

These are not lessons, but they help you decide who to listen to and study, which is part of learning.

Subscription and Access

The site promotes subscriptions with the message "Join the Greatest Community in Drumming" and lists benefits including gear reviews, exclusive interviews, VIP access, and backstage meet-and-greet entry. A promotional offer advertises "Get 2 Months Free w/ Annual Plan" for new members, and a holiday code (HOLIDAY10) offers 10% off subscriptions plus a free Mike Portnoy Artist Pack. Because some content may be tied to subscription access, check the specific lesson or article page to confirm what is available before committing. The site does not state that all content is free, so plan on verifying access for the material you want.

A Practical Way to Start

If you want to improve your drumming using this site, a sensible sequence is:

1. Open Drum Lessons and pick one lesson tied to a skill you want now.
2. Practice it until you can play it cleanly, then move to the next.
3. Read one Artist Interview per week with a specific question in mind.
4. Use Education content to fill in context for the styles you are studying.
5. Check Gear Reviews only when you are actually choosing equipment.

The expected result is steady, self-directed progress backed by professional insight. The main pitfall is consuming content without practicing it—treat every lesson and interview as something to test behind the kit.