Doug Meola's DrumSpot

09/29/2026

Hey Drummers! As a drummer, how well do you truly listen to, interact with and enhance the songs that you are playing? Do you get into "weaving" your drum parts and performances around the arrangement and what the other musicians are doing in addition to laying down the foundation of the song? Check out this incredible clip of Steve Jordan recording drums for John Mayer's "Waiting On The World To Change". So awesome and inspiring...

How do you approach contructing and recording your parts as a drummer?

For more drum information, photos, videos, educational and unique drumming stuff, stop by The DrumSpot website and and check it out! http://dougmeola.com

09/28/2026

Gone but not forgotten... Sadly we lost the incredible and talented Pat Torpey on February 7, 2018. Pat was well known as the drummer for the band Mr Big along with Eric Martin (lead vocals), Paul Gilbert (guitar), and Billy Sheehan (bass guitar). Pat played with a number of bands and artists including John Parr, Belinda Carlisle, Robert Plant, Montrose, Richie Kotzen, The Knack, Impellitteri and Ted Nugent to name just a few. Prior to his passing, Pat was living with and battling Parkinson's Disease which led to his passing, he was 64 years old. Have you ever seen Pat play live in person? Here is a clip of Pat doing his thing... Rest in peace Pat, you are missed!

For more drum information, photos, videos, educational and unique drumming stuff, stop by The DrumSpot website and and check it out! http://dougmeola.com

09/28/2026

Hey Drummers! Have you ever seen the legendary Al Foster play live? He has played with some heavies of the jazz world including Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock and Joe Henderson to name a few. Check out this solo performance of Al's, incredible, tasty stuff! Do you have a favourite Al Foster recording? Please share yours with us!

For more drum information, photos, videos, educational and unique drumming stuff, stop by The DrumSpot website and and check it out! http://dougmeola.com

09/27/2026

Hey Drummers! How do you explore creativity in your drumming? Do you find yourself working on new ideas in your own playing? Of course, we as drummers, keep pushing the boundaries of our physical and technical limits with our skills and abilities but do you think that we will see new approaches to drumming and new genres evolving as we look to the future? What drummers do you feel have recently opened new pathways to the evolution of drumming? Please share your thoughts with us!

Jojo Mayer is one drummer that I feel has truly carved out his own niche, style and drumming approach that truly is new, fresh and unique. Check out this Vic Firth Signature Artist Video of Jojo Mayer performing "Safety Last" by his band Nerve at the 2018 UK Drum Show in Manchester, England.

For more drum information, photos, videos, educational and unique drumming stuff, stop by The DrumSpot website and and check it out! http://dougmeola.com

09/26/2026

Hey Drummers! I'm incredibly excited and honored to be celebrating 10 years as an official Aquarian Drumheads artist! Sending a huge thanks to Chris Brady and the amazing team over at Aquarian Drumheads! I've trusted their heads for many years to handle everything from tours, live shows and educational clinics and lessons to studio sessions. The craftsmanship and quality of their drumheads and products are always top notch and perfect for the sounds I want to achieve.

What is your go to drumhead brand, model/series? Drop a comment and share what you’re currently hitting! 👇

For more drum info, masterclasses, and upcoming online lessons, keep it locked right here or visit dougmeola.com!

Doug Meola is a drummer and educator with decades of experience performing, recording, touring, and teaching. Beginning his career as a rock and metal drummer, Doug has performed and recorded with numerous bands and artists, released multiple albums and toured extensively throughout the United State...

09/25/2026

Remembering the one and only, the legend, John Henry Bonham who we sadly lost on September 25th 1980. Do you have a favourite Bonham recording, groove, drum solo or performance? Thanks for the massive and endless inspiration Bonzo, rest in peace, we miss you!

For more drum information, photos, videos, educational and unique drumming stuff, stop by The DrumSpot website and and check it out! http://dougmeola.com

09/25/2026

Hey Drummers! Remembering the man, John Henry Bonham who we sadly lost on September 25th 1980. Recently I posted a video about John Bonham's Ludwig Green Sparkle Maple Drum Kit and how Bonham approached his drum kit tuning/tensioning as well as what mics were used and where they were placed for some of the Led Zeppelin drum track recording sessions. His drum tuning/tensioning was relatively high, more like jazz drum tunings. Check out this footage from one of Zeppelin's shows in Sydney Australia, 1972, You can really hear the high tension of his drum tuning in this one... We miss you Bonzo!

For more drum information, photos, videos, educational and unique drumming stuff, stop by The DrumSpot website and and check it out! http://dougmeola.com

09/24/2026

Hey Drummers! Have you ever seen or heard Chris Dave play? I heard him with The Robert Glasper Experiment and was blown away with his drumming. Dave has also played with diverse artists like Adele, The Winans, Adele, D'Angelo, Kenny Garrett, Maxwell, and M'shell N'degeocello to name a few. Check out Chris's drum solo at Winter JazzFest 2017... What are your thoughts on his playing Do you have a favourite Chris Dave recording, performance, or band/artist that he has played with?

For more drum information, photos, videos, educational and unique drumming stuff, stop by The DrumSpot website and and check it out! http://dougmeola.com

09/24/2026

Hello Drummers! Have you ever see Cozy Powell perform in person or do you have a favourite recording that he has done? Sadly we lost Cozy on April 5, 1998 following a car accident that he had. Shortly before the accident, Cozy had to pull out of tour rehearsals with Yngwie Malmsteen because of an injury that he had sustained from a motorcycle accident. Cozy is definitely one of the pioneers of heavy, adrenaline fuelled double bass drumming! He played with numerous bands and artists including: Bedlam, Cozy Powell's Hammer, The Jeff Beck Group, Rainbow, MSG, Whitesnake, Emerson, Lake & Powell, Gary Moore, Black Sabbath, The Brian May Band, Robert Plant, Suzi Quatro, Peter Green Splinter Group, and Thin Lizzy to name a few... Thanks for your inspiration and contributions to the world of music and drumming, we miss you Cozy! Rest in peace!

For more drum information, photos, videos, educational and unique drumming stuff, stop by The DrumSpot website and and check it out! http://dougmeola.com

09/24/2026

Hey Drummers! How do you approach improvisation when you play? Do you use a particular approach or process? Check out this sweet Steve Smith clinic from PASIC 2017. In this video Steve discusses and demonstrates "Developing a Vocabulary for Improvising". Cool stuff! Check it out and if you would like to download the note sheets and see what Steve is referencing in the video, here is a link to the PDF:http://vicfirth.com/downloads/steve-smith-pasic-handout.pdf

Video and PDF courtesy of Vic Firth!

For more drum information, photos, videos, educational and unique drumming stuff, stop by The DrumSpot website and and check it out! http://dougmeola.com