Drumming 101--idolizing the right drummers
If you're anything like me, the reason why you chose to play the drums is because you like to smash things and...
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Life Lessons Through Drumming
As drummers we are often lost in our own little drum world constantly searching for ways to expand our repertoire. Today's digital realm boasts an abundance of resources for drummers of every skill level. Whether you hope to develop a specific aspect of your drum set technique or just want to learn the basics, you will ostensibly find a variety of videos on the topic. Nevertheless, trying to learn from all of this can be confusing. I believe anyone is capable of learning how to play the drums if they are enjoying themselves. Throughout my career in music, I have always been a student of the game. From playing in bowling alleys to climbing to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Charts, I have made a career out of learning in ways that work for me.
Learning By Listening
My first 'ah ha' moment arrived the day I got my very first drum set at Drum World in Pittsburgh. After assembling the Piano Black Pearl Export drum set and staring at it for a half hour, I cranked up the headphones and immediately started playing. Mind you, I was utterly clueless as to what I was doing.
That afternoon--purely by accident--I learned how to do a ghost stroke simply by copying Bill Bruford's snare drum technique on the song Roundabout by the group Yes. At the time, I was a toddler who had no idea what a ghost stroke was --but could some how play one. Strangely, had I been taking formal lessons, I'm certain the instructor would not be focusing on an advanced snare drum technique with a 5-year-old. To this day I play along to music and enjoy it now more than ever.
When you are looking for some inspiration, pick up the headphones and listen to your favorite songs. Though you might not replicate the drum technique of each pattern, you just might come up with you own unique interpretation. Remember, music is an art form instead of an exact science.
Paralysis by Analysis
Recently I was asked to teach a friend's son how to play the drum set. Instead of sharing my laundry list of bad habits, I looked for ways to get him started on basic rudiments. After browsing through the online drum world, I was immediately discouraged to read conflicting definitions of a basic fundamental like snare drum technique. To prevent me from shamelessly backing out of this teaching endeavor, another 'ah ha' moment arrived.
While studying at Berklee, Rod Morganstein became my mentor and biggest supporter. Being completely self-taught, I learned traditional drum techniques through unorthodox methods. Certainly someone as accomplished and admired as Morganstein could have easily dismissed my quirks as bad habits. Instead, he encouraged me by saying “there are no rules.”
Those four words resonated with my new student as I repeated them to him. You see, he had all but given up on the drums after previous instructors demotivated him. I was not going to let that happen to him. Instead of grinding out paradittles on a practice pad for an hour, we played along to an iPod of his favorite songs. Though I certainly taught him my terrible habits, he had fun and was inspired to play the drum set again. In fact, he impressed his friends and family with a blazing solo at his school's talent show.
I consider that afternoon at Drum World to be one of my life's greatest hits. Though I have been fortunate with opportunities like attending the Grammys and written about in Billboard Magazine, that Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh trumps them all. Without knowing it, I learned the biggest life lesson of all that day--anything in life is possible if you're willing to enjoy yourself.
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