how you feel

[chazgrohl]

im just wondering, maybe its stupid, but gonna ask anyways, how you guys feel when your playing, live or just jamming at home

like when i started id get so frustrated at myself if i messed up a fill or beat, but i got better and now i smile while drumming, get shivers down my spine playing live, or after a punk set more than likely, just want to collapse into bed after a set

i think there's more than just beating out a song, if you feel every beat, and love if thats the word your beats, i think the crowd or whover will know that your one hundred percent into what your doing,

k i had a few drinks at lunch but im just happy with my drumming abilities and just want to hear your stories or what you feel when drumming.........if im being stupid sorry

guys like carter beauford i think are amazing because of there amazing abilities but the way they smile all the way thru sets and love evry second of it

[Ironcobra]

most of the time im really happy while i play, exept for when i start doing the same beats, then i get mad and just walk away

[Drummer Karl]

Well, it`s about having fun and living the passion, right? I feel so much joy when drumming, I feel so warm and express that through closing eyes, light smiling or doing a kinda "cramped" drummer face...but actually I`m relaxed and feel so good. Just the way of expressing myself.
Also I noticed that my face automatically looks like my biggest influences. haha, I don`t do this conciously...but I do it...for some odd reason. :-D
When doing something wrong I`m not frustrated, I`m actually just happy that I can learn from that and that I can do it again and again...and after some practice time it will work.

Overall chaz: A good question to ask. Being into it is such a great thing!

Karl

[bighaibigdrums]

Relaxed and happy.
xxxxxxxxxxxx

[volume_3]

I dunno, im the only person in my band thats doesn't have a playing face, everyone else does something when playing or singing... i do nothing.

But if it sounds good i can't help but crack a smile and feel really good and relaxed.

[Velimor]

Well, when I play with my black metal band, I don't smile. But I definitely feel the power and intensity of the music, which makes me happy. My eyes will light up and I get the evil, growling face thing going on. It probably looks goofy as hell, but whatever.

Playing alone, I don't think I really make any faces, but I love drumming with all my heart, so of course I feel good playing it. Its great to just sit down and play music and not worry about all the stuff going on right now.

[kung_f00]

When I play, I kinda feel like Bernard Purdie.
In other words, lots of inner dialogue/body language such as: "Ooh, ahh, DAYUM that's funky!"

I rarely ever get mad; the closest I get is frustrated when I can't learn a certain lick. But now that's down to slowing down, taking a breath, and thinking the beat out beforehand.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Tired, weary and embittered.

Oh? When I'm playing my kit?

[PeartWeckler]

Playing on stage, especially covers that I really love is pretty pleasurable.

Practice on the other hand is a lot of hard work. I don't know how much I've improved until I've returned for my next practice, and I notice how things I worked on before are easier. For example, right now I'm working out of Jim Chapin's jazz book. Now, I've owned the book for over a year and only just now picking it up to work out of. Whoa is all I can say. The things I have learned have helped me immensely. To hear yourself play drums like you never thought you could, is something very very rewarding.

And so, the reward helps pay for the hard work too, or at least make it bearable.

Currently I'm concentrating alot of effort getting my arms and wrists back in shape. I play on various surfaces with a closed, non-bounce grip, and with the heaviest sticks I can find. I also practice 16ths with a Rhythm Tech Pro tamborine. I've found this builds strength in my forearms, and that will help me perform some of the technical things that I want to perform.

Steph

[PeartWeckler]

For example, one thing that I am working on that I've found very difficult to do (and might just be one of those things one will never if ever do), is a kind of Buddy Rich sounding lick, played with a fast swing on the cymbal:


x..x.xx..x.x|x..x.xx..x.x|x..x.xx..x.x|x..x.xx..x. x|
ssss.sss.sss|s.sss.sssss.|ssss.sss.sss|s.sss.sssss .|
....b...b...|.b...b.....b|....b...b...|.b...b..... b|

x=cymbal; s=snare; b=bass dr

qtr note = 180 ~ 240 bpm


So this is doable for me if I forget about the right hand on the cymbal. But I don't want to forget about the right hand on the cymbal.

Let me know how this ranks with the rest of you. Is this considered intermediate, advanced, or ??

Steph

[PeartWeckler]

BTW, I used courier font and an external editor to put that together (which by the way looks like a pretty good tableture for the forum, I think).

Steph
P.S. The best way to think about this lick is to play consciously the cymbal and snare, and fill the snare rests with the bass drum (bass drum is on opposite side of body from snare, so filling is a natural feat).

[nebula821]

It depends on the day. If it's one of those days where I can't seem to get anything together, then I'm basically unenthusiastic about my playing and I don't play much. If I'm having a "good" day drumming, then it's awesome and I feel like I play very well. The good happen much more than the bad as I progress in my skill. It can really be a great form of meditation sometimes.

[NUTHA JASON]

a picture paints a thousand words...





i feel like this:










http://jasonhorsler.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/jeffporcarobuddyrichbonham.jpg

[dale w miller]

it depends on the music.
the more experimental groups i tend to feel more aggressive, almost as if i'm attacking the drums.
http://dalewmiller.com/images/jmajesty/europe/4.jpg
in some of the slower material i do i feel very relax.
http://dalewmiller.com/images/bs-dwm-guest/DWM623.jpg
in Palomar, i find myself smiling all the time. it's indie-pop so go figure.
http://dalewmiller.com/images/palomar/lunatourNov04/woxy/woxy5.jpg

have you ever seen Dave Lombardo of Slayer smile while he plays?:)

[joeysnare]

when im playing i feel kinda angry/focused/happy/excited like im going into battle.i love every min of it.nothing better than being on the set before a packed house kickin butt and taking names.

[bballdrummer34]

When I play, I kinda feel like Bernard Purdie.
In other words, lots of inner dialogue/body language such as: "Ooh, ahh, DAYUM that's funky!"

I rarely ever get mad; the closest I get is frustrated when I can't learn a certain lick. But now that's down to slowing down, taking a breath, and thinking the beat out beforehand.

I know what you mean man. Ain't nothin like feeling it everywhere in ya body. When you're doin that you just lose control and your face does what every you feel. oo wee, i can feel it right now baby O YEA !!!

[fijjibo]

Im with Karl.

Drumming is what I love - It makes me happy.


When I play I feel though Im Eating a very good sandwich.....

[Muckster]

I feel ecstatic when i'm playing great and just ok when i'm not.

[chazgrohl]

cheers for the replies, its great to hear everyone chattin bout how much they like playin, there is the downside of course of the amount of gear ya gotta lug around, but these things must be done, i guess everyones just estatic to play whenever they can, and once the neighbours or family dont mind, great

and yeah i reckon dave lombardo smiles when he drums :) him playing with james hetfield here, sure who wouldnt be smiling playing with him

http://www.metallicafan.de/band/pix/band/1317.jpg

[DreamTheater4life]

im just wondering, maybe its stupid, but gonna ask anyways, how you guys feel when your playing, live or just jamming at home

like when i started id get so frustrated at myself if i messed up a fill or beat, but i got better and now i smile while drumming, get shivers down my spine playing live, or after a punk set more than likely, just want to collapse into bed after a set

i think there's more than just beating out a song, if you feel every beat, and love if thats the word your beats, i think the crowd or whover will know that your one hundred percent into what your doing,

k i had a few drinks at lunch but im just happy with my drumming abilities and just want to hear your stories or what you feel when drumming.........if im being stupid sorry

guys like carter beauford i think are amazing because of there amazing abilities but the way they smile all the way thru sets and love evry second of it


depends what kind of music i'm playing. when i play death metal, i feel like punching babies. when i play punk, i'm very energized and excited. when i play rock, i'm relaxed, but a little angry. when i just jam, i'm very relaxed and layed back :)

[dale w miller]

and yeah i reckon dave lombardo smiles when he drums :) him playing with james hetfield here, sure who wouldnt be smiling playing with him

http://www.metallicafan.de/band/pix/band/1317.jpgman, you know him better than i do.

[stasz]

http://jasonhorsler.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/jeffporcarobuddyrichbonham.jpg

I wish the drum gods would smile on me...

I know the whole feeling of digging a real nice funk groove that's totally in the pocket, and I'm happy if me and my friends can jam and make something that sounds professional... So I might crack a smile.