THE GODMOTHER OF DRUMMING, BY THE NUMBERS
There’s more to my collection than the snare.
Replacement heads, snare wires, my Gig Kit and signature sticks are on the way.
3M+
Followers
57M
Views
The Tonight Show
with Questlove
MY JOURNEY
Six decades behind the kit, one chapter at a time.
THE DRUM CORPS
AGES 13 TO 17
I feel I was born to be a drummer. Piano came first, at 8. At 13 I joined a drum and bugle corps in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and marched for six years. No instructor, no lessons: the Corps was my school. First drum set at 16, and at 17 my first band, playing polkas and waltzes five nights a week.
THE MUSIC STORE
FROM AGE 19
I dreamed of being a rock star. Then I fell in love at 19, married and started a family right away, and kept playing in local bands. At our local music store I became the one who put together and tuned the drum sets. Drummers came from other cities for repairs, tuning and lessons.
ON EVERY STAGE
DECADES OF GIGS
Dixieland, jazz, blues, classic rock, symphonic, church cantatas and Broadway musicals, including a summer show with Debby Boone and Barry Williams. I played auxiliary percussion on stage with Ray Charles, and I’ve been my church’s organist for about 40 years.
THE TEACHER
40 YEARS AND COUNTING
About 40 years teaching drum lines and private students. Since 2020 I teach online too, with students around the world, Jamie Lee Curtis among them. Today I’m also a Drumeo coach.
SOCIAL MEDIA
2020
My grandson got me on social media, and my 230-BPM paradiddles went viral. Then Drumeo invited me to their studios: “Down With The Sickness” passed 57 million views in three months.
TELEVISION
2022 TO 2024
A drum-off with Questlove on The Tonight Show, then The Nick Cannon Show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, The Drew Barrymore Show and the Carolina Country Music Fest.
MOVIES
2025
An on-screen cameo behind the kit in Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.
TODAY
2026
A Modern Drummer Readers Poll nomination, more than 3 million followers, and my Signature Snare, built with Tamburo. I’m excited to keep drumming and inspire the next generation.
THE DETAILS
Dorothea Taylor “Ivory” Finish
HYBRID WOOD SHELL
A premium ash/birch/mahogany blend (from outside to inside) creates a shell that is both robust and lightweight, delivering a warm, powerful, and dynamic sound. Total thickness: 6.5 mm.
PREMIUM HARDWARE
Tamburo round “T” lugs and 2.2 mm triple-flange hoops provide rock-solid tuning stability and a sleek, timeless look built for the road and the studio.
EVANS HEADS TOP & BOTTOM
Equipped with premium EVANS heads on both batter and resonant sides for consistency, durability, and professional tone right out of the box.
SUPER SENSITIVE SNARE WIRE
The “Super Sensitive” snare wire offers exceptional response and articulation, capturing every nuance of your playing.
MY SIGNATURE COLLECTION
My Signature Snare, built with Tamburo. See full details →
Dorothea Taylor Signature Snare
$399.99
I built this snare with Tamburo to give me the balance I want from a drum: warmth, power and sensitivity. It’s made for the studio and the stage, easy to tune, and at home in every style of music.QuantitySTORE
My Signature Collection and the gear I play.
Signature heads are on the way.
SIGNATURE SNARE
$399.99
TAMBURO 4GIG KIT
$1,199.99
VOLUME SNARE
$379.99 · Only one left
DRUM MIC SET
$259.99
SNARE BAG
$48.99
SIGNATURE HEAD
For your snare or your wall. Coming soon.
SNARE WIRES
Coming soon.
OTHER PRODUCTS I RECOMMEND
Gear, tools and lessons I use myself.
Some of these are affiliate links. I may earn a commission when you buy through them.
TAMBURO DRUM KITS
Kits from Tamburo, the Italian drum maker behind my snare.
POCKET WASHBOARD
From Cincinnati Washboards. Use my code DOROTHEA for a discount.
ROAD TRIP WASHBOARD
From Cincinnati Washboards. Use my code DOROTHEA for a discount.
KICKSTRAP
Stops your bass drum and pedals from sliding. Use my code dorotheadrummer for 10% off.
DRUMMER WALLET
A wallet, drum pad and snare mute in one. My code DOROTHEATAYLOR takes 10% off and applies automatically with my link.
DRUMEO LESSONS
I teach on Drumeo, the online drum school. My lessons cover rudiments, paradiddles and play-alongs. Learn with me free for 30 days.
