The View From Behind the Drums

A couple blogs back I tortured you with a detailed version of the birth of my “illustrious” drumming career. This time I’d like to discuss some random observations I’ve made over the years.
 
I was twelve years old when my big brother graciously gave me his drum set. Actually, I think he initially let me "borrow" it, but I kept it and eventually sold it. Thanks, Bro! Anyway, it was a junker kit with cymbals that cracked easily and drumheads that were slightly better than notebook paper. But it was something to hit. Even more important than the drums was the advice that came with them: “Don’t just mess around; work at it!” I took those words to heart, and I’m glad I did. Thanks again, Bro!
 
Over the years, I’ve been blessed to play in a wide variety of musical situations (from pit bands to wind ensembles to chamber orchestras to bands ranging from country to rock, blues, and jazz) with a broad range of people (beginners to internationally-acclaimed artists).
 
Here are some observations I have from my experiences:
 

• Ear plugs are a good idea. I wish I had been more consistent with them over the years…
• Guitar players usually live up to the stereotypes about them.
• The older I’ve grown, the fewer drums and cymbals I use. Too much work to haul ‘em.
• I greatly prefer music made by humans versus music made by computers.
• Some of my best friends play tuba and/or bass. Give them the respect they deserve. Let’s hear it for the bass!
• Advice: Be nice and don’t act like you’re better than others with whom you play (even if you are). I’d rather play with mediocre players who are nice people than excellent players who are jerks.
• Drummers generally live up to the stereotypes about us.
• If I’m in a situation where I’m playing other peoples’ music, I prefer to do my own thing. It’s a good idea to listen to the original recording to get the context for what to play, but I generally chafe at people who dictate exactly how to play something. It might just be laziness, but that’s how I roll (no pun intended).
• Music is supposed to be fun. When a gig ceases to be fun, it’s time to move on.
• At my church I now have the ability to set my own monitor mix. This is glorious after 20+ years of band situations where I had to struggle just to hear enough to figure out where we were in a song (although I could always hear plenty of guitar!).
• Might as well keep picking on guitarists. When they start playing with their pedal boards, it drives me nuts. I estimate I’ve spent 3.42 years of my life waiting for guitar players to click on their various pedals, searching for the perfect sound.
• Another pet peeve: musicians who play when someone in the group is saying something important.
• Yet another pet peeve: musicians who’d rather talk than play.
• At my church we also use a click track (metronome). Some people don’t like it, but I enjoy it. It puts the kabosh on people who are given to lecture the drummer on the poor quality of the “time.” (Not that anyone’s ever done that to me!)
• Rock ‘n’ roll is actually pretty boring from a drumming perspective (most of it, anyway). It’s terribly repetitive. I don‘t know how the drummer from AC/DC can stand it. I’d rather play jazz, because then I can at least respond to what they other musicians are doing.
• The very best/well-known musicians with whom I’ve played have been very kind and gracious. Much more so than the aforementioned good players who are jerks.
• Speaking of that, I love musicians who still think they have stuff to learn, even when they’re already awesome.
• Anyone who bad-mouths a style of music about which they know very little just reveals their ignorance. Unless it’s techno. You don’t need to know much to know that’s awful stuff.
• It’s a good idea to practice. I need to do more of that!
• One of the best bits of advice I ever got was: “In order to play a style of music authentically, you MUST listen to it.” This is so true!
• Speaking of styles, don’t disrespect the music of the generation older than you or younger than you. The idea that your generation had the best music is ridiculous (unless you grew up during the Swing Era—1935-1945). The music of those other generations probably has some redeeming qualities. Except techno. Techno is awful.
• There’s only one techno song ever written. It just keeps getting re-released and Europeans listen to it.
• When it comes to music, there really is nothing new under the sun. It’s pretty much all been done before. But don’t let that bother you too much—just enjoy what you like. Unless it’s techno. Then stop.
• Music is a wonderful gift from God (except techno—that’s from the devil).
• Thank God for music (but blame the devil for techno).