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Seven Focused Practice Routines to Build Independence for Intermediate Hobby Drummers

Seven practical routines that build the four-way independence you need—each routine pairs a clear technical focus with measurable homework and a quick self-audit you can use weekly.

Sam Ortega•5 min read•05:53 PM

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Analysis

How to Rehead and Maintain Your Drum Kit Step-by-Step

Keep your kit sounding great: a clear, step-by-step primer to rehead drums, tune toms, care for hardware and cymbals, and store your set for long life.

Nina Kowalski6m read

Releases

Booker Stardrum Releases Close-up On The Outside February 27 on We Jazz

Booker Stardrum releases Close-up On The Outside, his fourth solo record and first for Helsinki-based We Jazz Records, built from Denniston Hill barn takes, found hardwood floorboards and field recordings.

Sam Ortega3m read

Releases

Neal Morse Band Featuring Mike Portnoy Releases Fifth Album L.I.F.T.

Recorded "last April when Portnoy was briefly free," The Neal Morse Band dropped their fifth studio album L.I.F.T. on Feb 27, 2026, led by the video single "Fully Alive."

Sam Ortega3m read

News

Trevor Lawrence Earns Grammy Nomination for Work with Terrace Martin, Kenyon Dixon

LA-based drummer Trevor Lawrence Jr. (TrevBeats) scored a Grammy nomination for his work with Terrace Martin and Kenyon Dixon, spotlighting his session and production chops.

Jamie Taylor2m read

Releases

Danny Carey and KnuckleBonz Unveil Limited-Edition 11-Inch Muscle Statue with Signed Base

Danny Carey partnered with KnuckleBonz on an 11-inch resin "Muscle" statue of him in the Lateralus-themed anatomical bodysuit; bases are hand-signed, numbered 1-50, and the signed edition is $325.

Nina Kowalski2m read

Community

Xi’an Spring Festival Drum and Gong Competition Spotlights Traditions from 11 Districts

Nearly 450,000 people streamed teams from 11 districts in the Xi’an Spring Festival Drum and Gong Competition on Feb. 26, 2026.

Nina Kowalski2m read

Community

Thomas Lang Performs at Free Opening of DW London Showroom

Austrian virtuoso Thomas Lang will be live to open DW London, the first dedicated DW showroom in the UK, at the Roland Store on Denmark Street with free entry on 19 March 2026.

Jamie Taylor2m read

Updates

Tommy Aldridge Reflects on Legacy, Recent Shows and Ozzy Tribute Comments

At 75, Tommy Aldridge says he skipped Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s Villa Park farewell because “I wasn't invited,” while stressing his lasting admiration for Ozzy.

Jamie Taylor2m read

Releases

SYK Releases Federico Leone Drum Playthrough Video for The Cross

Federico Leone of Italian quartet SYK drops a dedicated drum playthrough for the song "the Cross," released via the band and label outlets on February 24-25, 2026.

Jamie Taylor1m read

News

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2026 Nominees Spotlight Drumming's Evolving Influence

Jeff Buckley, Phil Collins and the Wu-Tang Clan join a 17-name Rock Hall ballot the foundation called "diverse," with ten first-time nominees and inductees to be revealed in April.

Jamie Taylor3m read

News

Tenor Drum Separates From Transport, Rolls Down Rapid City Street

A marching tenor drum came loose from its transport and rolled down a Rapid City street during the morning of February 26, 2026, with video of the short run circulating on social media.

Jamie Taylor2m read

Updates

Tandem Drums Names BR Distribution as U.K. Partner to Expand Reach

Tandem Drums named BR Distribution as a U.K. partner to expand Drops into British retail and pro audio channels, announcement published February 27, 2026.

Sam Ortega2m read

Releases

Toca Percussion Unveils Three 2026 Artist Signature Cowbells Featuring Rockett, Frenette, Erna

Toca unveils three 2026 artist signature cowbells — Rikki Rockett’s anodized Timber Tone, Matt Frenette’s Timbale Bell, and Sully Erna’s Timber Tone — announced in late February.

Jamie Taylor4m read

Releases

King Gizzard Drummer CAVS Announces Second Solo LP Sojourn, Shares Candiru

King Gizzard drummer Michael “Cavs” Cavanagh will release Sojourn, a 10‑track instrumental LP on p(doom) records April 24, 2026, and has shared lead single “Candiru” with a Hayden Somerville video.

Nina Kowalski3m read

Releases

Artur Nowak Releases Augmatic GRE Algorithmic Drum-Pattern Generator for iOS, macOS

Artur Antoni Nowak's Augmatic GRE fuses a Grids-style XY engine and Bjorklund Euclidean rhythms into a 6-channel AUv3 MIDI generator for iPhone, iPad and Mac, currently on sale at $4.99.

Jamie Taylor3m read

Releases

WBGO Spotlights Oakland-Born Headhunters' Drummer Mike Clark's New Album

WBGO spotlighted Oakland-born Headhunters drummer Mike Clark's new album on Gary Walker's New Day New Play, airing February 22, 2026.

Sam Ortega2m read

News

Shinya Yamada, Luna Sea Drummer, Dies at 56 After Cancer Battle

Shinya Yamada, Luna Sea’s drummer since 1989, died Feb. 17 at 6:16 p.m. at 56 after a long cancer battle; fans, pick the Shinya drum fill that mattered most to you and share it.

Jamie Taylor2m read

Releases

Hudson Music Reissues Steve Gadd’s Up Close and In Session Expanded Edition

Hudson Music has reissued Steve Gadd’s Up Close & In Session as a 112-page expanded edition with matching audio and video, pre-orders open and signed copies limited, shipping first week of March 2026.

Sam Ortega2m read

News

Mark Kennedy, 74, Australian Session Drummer for Spectrum and Leo Sayer Dies

Mark Kennedy, Melbourne-born drummer and first-call session player who recorded on Spectrum’s debut and — according to one account — worked on over 300 albums, has died at 74 in palliative care.

Nina Kowalski3m read

Releases

Latin Percussion Launches Limited-Edition 100% Cherry Congas, Bongos with Copper Hardware

Latin Percussion released a Limited-Edition line of congas and matching bongos built from 100% solid-ply Cherry wood with copper-plated hardware and Ricardo “Tiki” Pasillas listed as the Artist.

Nina Kowalski2m read

News

Steven McWhirter Sweeps Pacific Rim Solo Snare Drumming Championship in Vancouver

Steven McWhirter won every discipline at the Pacific Rim Solo Snare Drumming Championship in Vancouver, sweeping three events and earning CAD $2,500.

Nina Kowalski3m read

Updates

Dave Grohl Details Foo Fighters Split with Josh Freese, Welcomes Ilan Rubin

Dave Grohl said Foo Fighters spent six to seven months during a 2024 touring break deciding to replace Josh Freese with Ilan Rubin and that the band now "feel like a band again."

Nina Kowalski2m read

Community

Schlagwerk to Exhibit at Las Vegas Drum Show March 29, 2026

Schlagwerk announced on Feb. 20, 2026 that it will exhibit at the Las Vegas Drum Show on March 29, 2026; Las Vegas Drum Show lists GRETSCH/SCHLAGWERK at booths 68, 69 and 70.

Nina Kowalski2m read

Updates

Vicious Rumors Part Ways with Longtime Drummer Larry Howe Over Politics

Vicious Rumors announced they “will no longer be touring with long time drummer Larry Howe,” citing his “personal political ambitions” and reporting four European shows were canceled.

Jamie Taylor3m read

Releases

Drummer's Polymetric Mastery Releases Softcover Book With Online Video Demonstrations

Hudson Music published Jason Gianni’s softcover Drummer’s Polymetric Mastery with online audio and video demos, listed at $26.99 and reported in a Feb. 21, 2026 product release; Hal Leonard shows it on back order.

Nina Kowalski2m read

Analysis

Jake Wehn Explores Rudimental and Kit Techniques Behind Recent Release

Jake Wehn lays out how rudimental vocabulary and kit-based techniques shaped his recent release, speaking at length about development and influences in a SickDrummer Magazine interview.

Sam Ortega2m read

Releases

Anika Nilles Announced as Rush’s Drummer for 2026 Fifty Something Tour

Anika Nilles, 42, was tapped as Rush’s touring drummer for the Fifty Something tour and has released the official music video for "Fou Fou" from her fourth album False Truth (Sept. 2025).

Sam Ortega3m read

Analysis

Herlin Riley Celebrated as Dean of New Orleans Jazz Drummers

At the New Orleans Jazz Museum, Herlin Riley drew a "good crowd," was introduced as "the heaviest, heaviest drummer on the planet," and reaffirmed his role as the dean of New Orleans jazz drummers.

Nina Kowalski3m read

Releases

Drum Workshop Introduces First Collector's Series Made from 100% Pure Walnut

Drum Workshop's Custom Shop announced a limited Collector's Series made from 100% Pure Walnut shells—the first time walnut appears in DW's highest-end Collector's Series.

Sam Ortega2m read