Bruce Lee and Drumming technique

[Phil Maturano]

I highly recommend renting the documentary on Bruce Lee's life and philosophy.
A warriors journey.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0297814/

You will see why Buddy loved him so much.
Everything he says about technique is immediately applicable in drumming. Especially "The style of NO style"

He was a genius.
All the best
PM

[TitanSound]

I was actually reading his quotes page on Wikipedia. My fave was.

"Don't get set into one form, adapt it and build your own, and let it grow, be like water."

Along with

"Man, the living creature, the creating individual, is always more important than any established style or system."

[Big_Philly]

I kind of like:
"I'm not a master. I'm a student-master, meaning that I have the knowledge of a master and the expertise of a master, but I'm still learning. So I'm a student-master. I don't believe in the word 'master.' I consider the master as such when they close the casket."

And:
"Use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it."

And last but not least:
"If someone comes at you with a sword, run if you can. Kung fu doesn't always work."

These all apply to drumming, though the last one not too obviously.

[toddy]

"If someone comes at you with a sword, run if you can. Kung fu doesn't always work."

These all apply to drumming, though the last one not too obviously.

I've had a few run ins with guitarists where this would have been helpful ;]

[Phil Maturano]

Wonderful stuff huh? It used to be puzzling to me, Buddy's affinity to martial arts. Of course as time past and i began to truly appreciate Bruce Lee, the reasons for Buddy's admiration made tons of sense. There is an interview of Buddy on the tonight show with Johnny Carson. Carson asks him about Bruce. The answer was fascinating.

Many of the mechanics Bruce talks about seem to be directly applicable in drumming as well. I am no expert in martial arts but from what i have seen there are amazing similarities.

Every one should watch 'A warriors journey' not only for the action but for the dedication Bruce put into his craft, the struggles he had and what he did to overcome them.
Truly a parallel universe for drummers.
PM

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

I was actually reading his quotes page on Wikipedia. My fave was.

"Don't get set into one form, adapt it and build your own, and let it grow, be like water."

Along with

"Man, the living creature, the creating individual, is always more important than any established style or system."

Titan, congratulations on getting Zen! Now, maybe it is time to change your signature? It looks a little paranoid next to the highly enlightened quotes. Please pardon the pun, just couldn't resist.
Casper

[djp132]

My favorite Lee quote is from Enter the Dragon:

"It is like a finger pointing away to the moon. Don't concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory."

I can't think of a better summation of technique vs. expression.

"Don't think, FEEEEEEL..."

His life was dedicated to finding the truth in all things. Filtering out unnecessary filler that gets in the way of sound judgement and perfect awareness.

[hungrypo]

"Be Like Water"

also a main theme from "The Art Of War". which i personally believe could be called "The Art Of Life"

[TitanSound]

Titan, congratulations on getting Zen! Now, maybe it is time to change your signature? It looks a little paranoid next to the highly enlightened quotes. Please pardon the pun, just couldn't resist.
Casper

Hehehe. Its actually a quote from Magnum Force, the second Dirty Harry movie ;)

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

Hehehe. Its actually a quote from Magnum Force, the second Dirty Harry movie ;)

Oh, if it's Dirty Harry, then it IS enlightened! Kudos for the good taste!
Casper

[MonteChristo]

Brilliant observation. I would also recommend "The Tao of Jeet Kune Do" by Bruce Lee. A compilation of the notes and sketches he amassed in preparation to create an encyclopedia of martial arts. Sadly it would never come to pass. "The Tao" was compiled by his widow.

Much of it is filled with his pilosophical musings more related to being than fighting.

Paraphrasing;

When I began to study the art, a punch was just a punch a kick was just a kick.

When I had studied the art, a punch was more than just a punch and a kick more than just a kick.

When I understood the art, a punch was just a punch and a kick was just a kick.

[King Of Drums]

Yes I agree! Bruce is definitely one of my major influences in my philosophy. I love his attitude towards work ethic. Here's one of my favorite quotes of his:

"Let me give you a bit of warning: just because you get very good at your training it should not go to your head that you are an expert. Remember, actual sparring is the ultimate, and the training is, only a means toward this. Besides running, one should also do exercises for the stomach - sit-ups, leg raises, etc. Too often one of those big-belly masters will tell you that his internal power has sunk to his stomach; he's not kidding, it is sunk and gone! To put it bluntly, he is nothing but fat and ugly."

[Phil Maturano]

Bruce had the guts to expose phonies and make enemies. Its kind of a pity that it had to be that way but it was. Every word of his is gold.

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