I am the worst drummer ever, So what keeps you playing ?

[IL DUCE]

That should make you all feel a little better about yourselves. It actually doesn't bother me at all. I have fun lots and lots of fun. I enjoy drumming so much it's one of the few things in my life I haven't either lost intrest in or just quit doing. By all accounts I should. I am unquestionably the least talented least able drummer on this board. ( I mean lets face it someone must be) Yet as I grow older my passion for drumming grows and grows. Yet after 30 years on a kit I have yet to see a drummer anywhere at a club, wedding , local bar back yard party, the internet that I could honestly say I was better than. Not a single one. I mean I've seen kids who've been playing for two weeks I'm better than but other than that no one. I will say to you it does become a little disheartening after awhile. Especially when someone comes over and sits on my kit and makes it sing knowing that's a skill level unobtainable to me. But none of that stops me from playing. Or selling drums. I just love the instrument the hardware the cymbals the pedals . I love using my practice pad doing exercies. Even the buisness side to it I love getting deliveries shipping out products writing listings. Check out different brands of stuff it just all so cool. I feel blessed that I decided to try to learn how to play an instrument, and I continue to try to learn how to play it. Believe me I'm not being negative or down on myself. It's just an honest assesment of my abilities or lack of. I know the songs I write are amaturish. The beats I come up for them anyone playing seriously for 6 months could do better. I also know deep down inside the only reason I've ever been in bands is because I have a PA and great rehersal space. If It wasn't for that I'm sure no one would've actually wanted to jam with me. But still playing gets me so psyced and I love every minute of it. When I'm done writing this post I'm gonna go downstairs and just sit on my kit and absorb the ambience the look and feel of my kit. ( the wife has a headache) Maybe I'll throw the sound off's on. Despite all I have said I have become a very knowledgeable player. I know my equipment I can read music I'm an excellent retailer. I honesttly think just my pure love and passion for the drums keeps me going. I'll continue to magle every back beat I play I will botch every roll I attempt.My bands last CD my playing is so bad I'm afraid to fly with a copy of it. Homeland security would probably think it's a bomb ( which it was) So there I fessed up. I secretly think we all try to think were we are in the pecking order on this board. Maybe not concsiously but sometimes it has to cross your mind. I admit I am terrible. I've also said what keeps me going. What keeps you playing ?

[Pachikara-Tharakan]

just passion , thats all.

[dairyairman]

you can't be THAT bad! i'll bet you're better than you say you are. you said you've been in a band and made a cd, right? you have to have some skill level to do that much.

[elcid]

Having resumed drumming late in '07 after nearly 20 years of not even touching a pair of drum sticks...let alone drums...have found renewed enthusiam for the art and enjoying it greatly!

Actually am surprised at the things am able to do spite of the long haitus, yet yearn being able to do a bit of what oh so many drummers can (Gadd, Weckel, Caliutta, et al).
Fortunately have been playing in two church choirs the last few months, something that have really widened my drumming horizon as the sort of music they play requires a multitude of different time signatures, rhythms...much being 3/4 and 6/8 stuff.
Don't read music worthy the heck but have a good ear and am able to not only keep up with what's required and not hold them up because of me, but also keep the choirs in line time-wise.
This also has veered me into being more creative...to give such music a "modern" touch.
People there seems to be pleased with what am offering so all is good!...

-elcid

[keep it simple]

If you read some of my other posts you'll see I'm very honest about my poor chops & technical ability. Ok, I've got enough in the bag to get by. My chops work very hard for a living. I too took 20 years out after a reasonably fruitful 5 years of earning a living playing drums. Not a great living I'll admit but a living non the less. So how did I do that with limited technical ability? Good looks, hah, certainly not. Magnetic personality, well maybe, but I digress. I succeeded because I had great feel, dynamics, passion, interpretation, musicality & timing. Non of these skills form part of the accepted ratings ladder that many others judge us by. I suspect you're using the same rating system yourself.

One thing is clear to me in your post. You have passion. That's a huge building block. How you interpret a song, the passion of your performance is worth more than all the technical abilities put together. Ok, in an ideal world, we'd all be able to play anything that comes into our head. Technical and chops abilities are the tools that allow that to happen. Of course, you need the basics in place but above and beyond that, everything else is passion & feel.

I suggest you get lessons from a teacher that can inspire you. It's never too late. Irrespective of your technical advancement, I'd advise concentrating on your strengths. I strongly suspect you have a lot to give, it's just a case of bringing out the best in you. Take simple beats and perform them from within you. Create grooves that you're comfortable playing and concentrate on getting the timing & feel just right. Play very slowly and feel your way through the rhythm. Hear the back beat snap of the snare, feel the power of a simply placed kick drum. Increase your speed gradually.

You don't need to be the best. You need to be your best and have fun on the journey.

[bpumpkin]

LOL...umm OK. Are you practicing regularly? If you're really that horrible, that would help. Drummers aren't born good, they all have to practice.....unless you're Buddy Rich.

[unfunkyfooted]

the crack of the snare keeps me playing.

as you can tell by my sn i have the worst foot on the planet. but still i'm quite funky (i think). i'm thinking of going to the double pedal for triplets. even doublets are hard at times, but i've learned to compensate by playing some licks "on top" of the kit. but mostly i don't feel like messing with the double pedal just yet. my hands are getting much quicker, but my foot just sits there.

what parts of your playing do you think are not good ?

no two drummers will play a song the same way. if you are comparing yourself to playing a lick exactly as found on a favorite recording, get over that and be you. has your favorite band ever changed drummers and it just wasn't the same ? what happened ? they are both professional drummers, so they should be interchangeable right ? nope. each has his own feel and style.

you do you.

Phil Rudd is not the same as that other dude.

Steve Adler is not the same as Matt Sorem.

Clyde Stubblefield is not Jabo Starks and neither of them is Clayton Fillayeau (although they try awfully hard : )).

you haven't said what type of music you like or what you are trying to be.

keep your eyes on the prize.

if you are more specific, we can be more helpful about ways around your (percieved) obstacles.

i'm a funk / rocker myself. if you are a more jazzy / fusion player, obviously a more experienced player than myself will have to take you there.

what is it that you want from your drumming that you are not getting ?

specifically.

a certain lick ?

a certain feel.

timing ?

stamina ?

we're all ears.

[DrumEatDrum]

I have to say good post.

Drumming is about fun and passion, and that's what matters.

Too many posts (here and elsewhere) are too focused on one should have to have a certain level of ability to buy a certain piece of gear, or should be able to do everything under the sun no matter what the circumstance.

But that's not what music is about. If you enjoy it, that's what matters.

[specgrade]

I use my drumming as an escape. Sure beats drugs.

Btw, I bet you a pair of sticks you play better than me.

[yesdog]

I have said it before, Music and drumming is a lifes work. No one will ever master the drums there is no greatest drummer in the world not even Buddy .Steve Smith, Terry Bozzio, Dave weckl, JO JO , and the list goes on. They have all said they worked very hard and still do to get where they are at. Its obvious people have more natural ability than others Thats Life. IN 1990 I got to help at a Terry Bozzio clinic I even
got to play his kit in front of him. Out of all of the playing I have done over 30 years and playing some very good gigs. that is still and probably will be the most memorable high light in my persute for being the best i can be. Getting a compliment from Terry about my playing will always be a high point in my life. The moral to this story is Terry told me that nothing came easy for him. he worked very hard to get what he has. He told me its just amazing that some people pick up an instument and learn it like its nothing.
You enjoy drums you are passionate about drums and you practice you by far are not the worst drummer ever! Who cares if you can't play 200BPMs on your double bass thats just your walking papers for doing any pro studio work or freelance live work with bands. I have personally saw a drummer get fired on the spot at a bar I was at he was filling in and figured every song needed the fasted double bass chops possible he did'nt make though sound check. They got a real pro to sit in and he kept simple and in the pocket and they sounded great. Sorry for rambling on but if you enjoy it thats what counts thats music thats art. I'M DONE.

[bobdadruma]

You're not the worst drummer ever! How dare you try and take that status away from me!
What keeps me playing? It ticks off my wife! That's why I do it!
Also, with the exception of two people, The musicians that I play with are the worst ever!
I love it, and I wouldn't change a thing! I laugh my butt off deep down inside when I play a gig and I screw the whole night up, And someone comes up to me and says, "You guys were great tonight!" Triple LOL's! It seems that my incompetence is good to some people! Go figure!

[Dedworx]

That should make you all feel a little better about yourselves. It actually doesn't bother me at all. I have fun lots and lots of fun. I enjoy drumming so much it's one of the few things in my life I haven't either lost intrest in or just quit doing. By all accounts I should. I am unquestionably the least talented least able drummer on this board. ( I mean lets face it someone must be) Yet as I grow older my passion for drumming grows and grows. Yet after 30 years on a kit I have yet to see a drummer anywhere at a club, wedding , local bar back yard party, the internet that I could honestly say I was better than. Not a single one. I mean I've seen kids who've been playing for two weeks I'm better than but other than that no one. I will say to you it does become a little disheartening after awhile. Especially when someone comes over and sits on my kit and makes it sing knowing that's a skill level unobtainable to me. But none of that stops me from playing. Or selling drums. I just love the instrument the hardware the cymbals the pedals . I love using my practice pad doing exercies. Even the buisness side to it I love getting deliveries shipping out products writing listings. Check out different brands of stuff it just all so cool. I feel blessed that I decided to try to learn how to play an instrument, and I continue to try to learn how to play it. Believe me I'm not being negative or down on myself. It's just an honest assesment of my abilities or lack of. I know the songs I write are amaturish. The beats I come up for them anyone playing seriously for 6 months could do better. I also know deep down inside the only reason I've ever been in bands is because I have a PA and great rehersal space. If It wasn't for that I'm sure no one would've actually wanted to jam with me. But still playing gets me so psyced and I love every minute of it. When I'm done writing this post I'm gonna go downstairs and just sit on my kit and absorb the ambience the look and feel of my kit. ( the wife has a headache) Maybe I'll throw the sound off's on. Despite all I have said I have become a very knowledgeable player. I know my equipment I can read music I'm an excellent retailer. I honesttly think just my pure love and passion for the drums keeps me going. I'll continue to magle every back beat I play I will botch every roll I attempt.My bands last CD my playing is so bad I'm afraid to fly with a copy of it. Homeland security would probably think it's a bomb ( which it was) So there I fessed up. I secretly think we all try to think were we are in the pecking order on this board. Maybe not concsiously but sometimes it has to cross your mind. I admit I am terrible. I've also said what keeps me going. What keeps you playing ?

to quote tommy igoe, but not verbatim, he said something like "drumming is like a family. do you love drums? do you want learn? you're part of family". its just that simple.

its not a competition unless you..uh...enter one, then i guess that situation it is.

you clearly have passion which is wonderful. i think i would just stop worrying about or telling myself i'm the worst, but just try to improve each week. it doesnt do any real good thinking those negative thoughts. you are not the worst.

love is what keeps me playing. i love music, love playing and the feeling it gives me and others.

[DSCRAPRE]

I am the worst drummer ever. You are trying to steal my suckiness thunder. Stop.


Seriously though I don't even know any of your playing and I know that in every respect you are better than me. But you are COMPLETELY RIGHT in your reasoning for staying interested. I hope to someday run a small corner music store. Just to sell the drums and get to set them up. (I was in a store today that I thought at least in layout and stocking, they could have used my help) So keep drumming, selling, and dreaming, thats the point of this hobby anyway.

[alparrott]

You can never be the worst. You are the best in the world at sounding like yourself.

[Pollyanna]

You're not the worst drummer ever! How dare you try and take that status away from me!

Geddouddhere Bob. I kick your lily white from here to kingdom come when it comes to crap drumming ... I've been playing first year drums for over 25 years now and still manage to stuff up :)

I rarely hear or see a drummer who I think is worse than me. I can't even say the only chops I have are on a BBQ because I eat very little meat.

Yet when I was playing keys with a group a couple of years ago we auditioned a bunch of drummers and I saw them all do things that I couldn't play to save my life. None of them gelled with the band so I stopped the keys and shifted to drums and everyone reckoned that was 100% better. Two of the guys had done a lot of gigging, one in a high profile band and were both easily better drummers than me - but they both played too loud and too busily.

So when we talk about crap drumming, we're just talking technique. That doesn't account for all the other things we collect over the years - musicality, taste, understanding arrangements, feel, sensibility, ideas, flexibility to work with and complement other musicians, etc.

So why isn't technique the be all and end all? We all agree it's important. I just kept it simple KIS!), watched my dynamics so I wasn't too loud (esp for the vocalist), I left space and only carried on like a crazy woman when the song wanted it. When drummers know their limitations, have listened broadly, and play within their ability they can play along with almost anything. Really good trained players and naturals would only accept that standard for a fill-in in a desperate spot, but it's functional and pleasing to musical peers and, importantly, to ourselves.

Most pros work their brains out to have a heap of overhead so they can execute their lines at the required level. At the hobbyist and semi-pro level it's not the same because you don't need cred or to impress record company execs or other pros, just laypersons - the drunks, food scoffers and dancers in the audience. If you provide an appropriate and pleasing noise with good spirit and energy they'll be into it.

IL Duce, If you ever get to play another instrument in a band I really recommend auditioning for drummers. It's an eye-opener. As Dairyman said, you can't be terrible if you are recording CDs and auditoning drummers will show you just how non-terrible you are - as long as some of the magicians on this site don't turn up to the auditions :)

[Thaard]

Music, other drummers and wanting to get better. Also the feeling you get when everything is in place and you do a good job.

Theres alot of stuff I suck at, but drumming is where I belong. I'ts my obsession, and It's a natural high(for me). I may get frustrated and get angry, but then It's smart to calm down and get everything in perspective. Do you want to be another Vinnie, or as best as you can be?

I almost quit drumming when I first started recording, because It was sloppy. But I stuck with it and I'm glad that I did, and now I'm getting better. If you're really passionate about something, don't give up and stick with it. Take breaks maybe, and come back some days later.

[IL DUCE]

Some of you have asked what makes me feel that way. When I figure out how to post a video the argument will be ended. I just suck, But like I said it doesn't bother me in the least. I drum for fun and enjoyment. I have always loved our instrument and always will. I like drumming to be so much part of my life I started my own drum shop. I'm never gonna influence anyone with my playing But I can sure help them when it comes to getting a decent deal on the money they have to spend on equipment. Earning a living from drumming has been a dream of mine since I can remember. I only recently began to realize it would be from selling drums instead of playing them. Believe me I'm ok with that. I love my drum business and I want it to get bigger and bigger. I actually have set a goal to be the best/biggest internet drum shop in exsistence one day. Eventually then open a brick and mortar store but with the economy the way it is that's a few years off. I mean none of you guys think I'm setting my goals to high do you ? LOL ! I just feel blessed to be part of the drum world. As far as not being as bad as I think trust me I am. Just because I played in bands and have written songs and did studio work anyone can do that. Besides nobody said it was good. I honestly think If I didn't have a great rehersal space and good PA gear No one would jam with me. after playing for so many years you can tell how good you are. You can see how other musicians and drummers get talked to and get treated. I never get compliments. No one ever says anything about my playing. Not from family not from freinds not from techs or engineers in the studio's NOBODY. I never hear remarks about my songs I write . What I do hear is how good the drummer was in the band that played in the club last night. Or how good another drummer did with a song we just covered. all The guys in the bands I've been in have hooked up with tons of chicks after and during a show. I have never hooked up with a single chick in 30 years of playing. If that ain't telling you something I don't know what is. (I'm also not very goodlooking either) Hey it's all good I play for the simple love of doing it. I play because I can. I sell drums because I can and I want to. I meet so many people who wished they had taken up the drums. I always encourage thenm to do it. I am proof you need not be very talented ( or good looking) to enjoy playing the drums and playing in a band. I am the bottom of the barrell the absolute worst of the worst and I still love it so much. Infact I'm going downstairs to apologize to my kit for getting stuck with me as an owner and mangle yet another practice session. Here's a link to my Drum/store blog I think some of you might find it interesting http://cymbalsandsnares.blogspot.com/ enjoy

[Steady Freddy]

So, you having trouble with both paradiddles and paragraphs.

Dude, you're killing me trying to read this stuff. :)

[Pollyanna]

Duce, I think Freddy has worked out the problem with your playing. Leaving space is really important! I got about half way through and then my eyes started phasing in an out.

[IL DUCE]

You guys are correct, my puncuation needs improvement. I will edit the post so it is more easily readable. It is something my wife constantly harps on about. My apologies.

[Stoney]

Simply because you enjoy it! Say no more

(just going off the title here)

[Morbid Koala]

What keeps me playing?

The fact that there are way too many guitar players and not enough drummers.

I'll always be able to find a gig.

[bromasi]

NO! I'm the worst, not kidding, I have proof

[Dedworx]

You can never be the worst. You are the best in the world at sounding like yourself.

i really like that quote.

[Pollyanna]

So what keeps you playing ?

Compulsion!

NO! I'm the worst, not kidding, I have proof

Ok, you've talked the talk - let's see you walk the walk :)

[mrbling]

at least theres always meg white :D

[specgrade]

at least theres always meg white :D

I love Meg's drumming! Rock On Meg!!!

[Fishnmusicn]

This is a good discussion. If you look back into the general discussion you'll see a similar thread I started about realizing you're better at other things and may suck as a drummer. I have my electronic drums I can play any time I want and have the acoustic set for the weekends for some limited playing trying to consider the neighbors. Yesterday I played for a few hours along to some tunes, and though some of it felt good, I was frustrated at times and when I ended, I was questioning. It's not always like this, sometimes it feels good and I connect with it, but when I was done, I was feeling the old suck at drums monologue within myself.

At least partially, some of it was productive and I'm getting better at feeling the musicality of the toms and building some fills around that. My practice routine with the acoustic set has been to play along to some songs - I've got a powerful stereo in the bedroom where they are set up, but now I'm ready to just play the drums themselves by themselves, and get to know them and me better without anything coming in from the outside. This may be even more frustrating or gratifying, and I think that is how we grow by learning to get beyond the frustrations. Sounds like you already have learned to cope with this since you have such a passion for playing the drums.

Here's the question I want to ask you, because this is where I'm at. Are you ready or have you tried taking your playing to the next level? Are you ready to sit down with the instruction books and videos and slowly chip away to get your skill level to where you can feel like you're really accomplishing something new that will improve your playing? To be totally honest here, my answer has been no - there is a lazy part of myself that doesn't want to work hard and it seems like such a chore. But sleeping on it and re-evaluating can help, and I'm thinking if I just put a half hour or hour a day in on the new stuff, I'll be making some progress.

I had mentioned in another thread that I started playing just about 35 years ago, but in all that time I've played 11 years total on the drums, so I've got a lot of catchup to do. I'm glad you posted this, because there are others of us on here that aren't as good and I admire your tenacity and passion to stay with it. There is something inside of me that keeps me coming back to them as well and I don't want to quit.

Fishnmusicn

[jjmason777]

Well, IL DUCE -

You've got us all wanting a video of your playing! This is a great and humorous angle you have, that you are the "worst ever". You say that and yet:

You have a band.
You have recorded a CD.
You write songs.

You also say that you are not good looking, and have never ended up with a woman after a gig, but YOU HAVE A WIFE! How did you make that happen?

Brilliant marketing ploy! I wish I'd thought of it. I actually want to buy drums from you now.

The most important thing is that you are HAPPY! And, you have that in abundance my friend! God bless you.

Post a video, PLEASE!

[TTNW]

Aaah, the Low Self Esteem Thread. I wasn't going to post because I thought I'm not worthy, but then I realized that my playing sucks (pretty good) too.

I continue to play because I love making music. I play guitar but I don't enjoy it nearly as much. The drums are so much more primordial.

The drums are like my dog.. ..sort of.. ..they never get tired of me and I'm always happy to see them just like my dog is everytime I walk in the front door. I've fallen asleep laying under or in front of my kit, just so I could wake up and see them.

I also like it because I learn something new about myself pretty often because I play them almost everyday.

A word of caution, but on the lighter side, it's better not to reinforce the negative opinion of yourself. Self fulfilling prophecies and all. There are plenty of amazing drummers out there to always keep the humility factor up. It's better to have a little bit of ego and use it to improve. I think you do have a higher regard for yourself, otherwise you probably wouldn't put yourself out there to play with others, record your efforts and be involved personally and professionally in drumming and drums.

I believe that everyone here on this forum, except for the erectile dysfunction spammers, have some level of passion for making music.

Are you ready or have you tried taking your playing to the next level? Are you ready to sit down with the instruction books and videos and slowly chip away to get your skill level to where you can feel like you're really accomplishing something new that will improve your playing? To be totally honest here, my answer has been no - there is a lazy part of myself that doesn't want to work hard and it seems like such a chore. But sleeping on it and re-evaluating can help, and I'm thinking if I just put a half hour or hour a day in on the new stuff, I'll be making some progress.

This is the real reason I don't think I'm any better than I am.

[IL DUCE]

TTNW,
No low self esteem here. I've seen plenty of people with it.I assure you I am not one of them. I say plenty of good things about myself. I just happent to be humble ask any of my freinds or people that I know I tell everyone I meet I'm humble. My opinion is based on indesputible facts that's all. My drumming IS poor. I'm not bragging about it. It's more frustrating then anything. I'm not here for everyone to say "C'mon dude you can't be all that bad. But I am. Yet Again I emphasise it's okay to suck. As long as your having fun and Most times I do.
Notice the use of paragraphs. I really wanted to make a point we all don't have to be virtuoso's or Neil pearts to play the drums. Despite everything I've said I'll never stop playing I enjoy it far too much. I do have a passion for the drums like nothing else in my life. I honestly can't imagine what my life would've been like these last 30 yrs without them. They have been my constant companion. I can read music pretty good, I've had teachers and took private lessons. With all that behind me I still suck. My point really I think was look at me, and I keep going. Infact drumming is becomming a bigger part of my life now that I've opened the store.
So I say to all of you keep on going , but at the same time I was wondering what DOES keep you going. JJ being in a band is something anyone can do. The same with recording a CD and writing songs. That doesn't mean there anygood. I can see where you think I have a humorous angle on this I do with everything. Being funny is just part of who I am. I'm also an extrovert that's just me. I'm not really sure where your going with that "marketing ploy line" but the following line is correct I do have an abundance of happyness.
One more note about being in a band I've got great equipment a Decent PA 1000 watt power mixer 2 floor speakers and 2 that go on stands. I got mic's stands cables everything. An excellent basement to reherse in, it's Ideal. Don't you think that has a little something to do with being in a band ? I sure do. Another point to bear in mind sucking infront of the public who are non-musicians and sucking on this board are two different things. I've grown accustom to not hearing much feedback from people about my individual performance. As far as the band went those are pretty easy to come by during a break at a show.
As far as a video of me goes I don't know about that. I think this thread has alot of life left in it. If I showed you a video or donloaded one of my songs this thread would come to a screaching halt with all of you going "Dam the dude wasn't lying. I will think about it and perhaps if I can master downloading one ( which is another thread altogether ) I might do it. But honestly I know I'm not gonna like the replies. Well that's it for tonight everyone goodnight.

[dairyairman]

"C'mon dude you can't be all that bad. But I am.

i remain skeptical. you can't possibly be that bad. no one with your kind of passion and enthusiasm can suck completely. that passion is going to show in your playing and make it good.

[bobdadruma]

If crap drumming was a crime I know many well known pop band drummers that would be doing life!

[grannydrums]

Sorry mate--that title is mine. The only way I can keep time is with a metronome stuck in my ear. I cannot do sixteenths on the high hat. I cannot do anything more than the most basic fill. Above 156 i cannot do eight notes on the hats. In fact I am just a plain boring drummer---but I love it!!!

i have no natural feel. I can only play these covers by listening to them, writing out drum charts note for note and then playing them slowley and then faster and faster till they are up to speed.

like you the only reason my band are with me is because the practice room, the pa, the guitar and bass amps, the lights and the smoke machine are all mine and althogh they would not have a problem finding a better drummer they would have a problem finding one with so much gear.

I have no desire to be anything more than a plain rock covers drummer. I keep logs of what I can and cannot acheive and even though the improvement is slow it is there.

why do i carry on playing, easy--I love playing, I love practicing, I love rehearsing, and I love gigging and as long as i can carry on doing these and improving I am more than happy.

http://www.lemonrock.com/hustler

[Pachikara-Tharakan]

Sorry mate--that title is mine. The only way I can keep time is with a metronome stuck in my ear. I cannot do sixteenths on the high hat. I cannot do anything more than the most basic fill. Above 156 i cannot do eight notes on the hats. In fact I am just a plain boring drummer---but I love it!!!

i have no natural feel. I can only play these covers by listening to them, writing out drum charts note for note and then playing them slowley and then faster and faster till they are up to speed.

like you the only reason my band are with me is because the practice room, the pa, the guitar and bass amps, the lights and the smoke machine are all mine and althogh they would not have a problem finding a better drummer they would have a problem finding one with so much gear.

I have no desire to be anything more than a plain rock covers drummer. I keep logs of what I can and cannot acheive and even though the improvement is slow it is there.

why do i carry on playing, easy--I love playing, I love practicing, I love rehearsing, and I love gigging and as long as i can carry on doing these and improving I am more than happy.

http://www.lemonrock.com/hustler

u sound like me, the only difference is I neither play in a band nor have any additional gear! again I have no idea how to read music (Keith Moon, Charley Watts style!), all self taught.

I just play in my basement, most of the time overplaying, luckily the audience is all non drummers, so they all love it!

I am happy as well.

[IL DUCE]

I'm actually looking for a video of myself playing.. For you guys who've challanged my claim to the worst drummer on the board let's see some video's I know you got them. If I find one of mine I'll post it. than some of you owe me an apology.

[mind_drummer]

This thread makes me feel better about my playing !


It will keep me going :p




Seriously, I play drums because first it was the only music instrument that got me attracted, It can be played with power or softly, it keep all your limbs on the edge and when you sit on the throne behind your kit, you enter in another world where nothing else count other than the connection between you and the instrument. You feel so relieved & free that it hooked me up since the first time I took the sticks.

The fun & pleasure of playing drums is an unbelieveable feeling that I need everyday.

[Pollyanna]

I'm actually looking for a video of myself playing.. For you guys who've challanged my claim to the worst drummer on the board let's see some video's I know you got them. If I find one of mine I'll post it. than some of you owe me an apology.

Haha. Still talking the talk. Let's see the walk!

And no cheating by posting your worst performance. You have to do what most of us do and put your best foot forward.

Bring it on, bad guy :)

[JT1]

I say if what you say is true but you love it so much, who cares? Passion and desire should be more than enough to keep all of us going and you've got it in tonnes. Passion keeps me going, the fact that when i get behind the set, i'm free to do what ever the hell i feel like lol. Knowledge and learning is also another major factor. Humans have a natural desire to learn and develop it's part of our structure and therefore if you combine passion with the desire to learn and develop, you get pure harmony.

You could be the best drummer in the world and be unhappy and not enjoy it. I would rather be in your shoes if those were the 2 options.

[JT1]

Once i remember i was at a fellow drummer and friends house and he had his kit set up and i was playing it. I was thrilled having just received my kit for Christmas and i was going on and on about it and my mate said to me you know the novelty will wear off. I laughed in his face and till this day (almost 7 years) the novelty hasn't so much as flickered away.

Drumming is one of the greatest things in the world and i stand by that statement.

[CJM]

You guys are correct, my puncuation needs improvement. I will edit the post so it is more easily readable. It is something my wife constantly harps on about. My apologies.

WHITE SPACE, dude. Make paragraphs, not walls of text.

[Dean Talbot]

Weird - what is it about 20 years? I had 20 years off also - '85 to '05, and I've loved every minute of the playing I've done in the last 4 years.

Good or bad mate, doesn't matter. Enjoy yourself.

You could strive for years to be the best and could end up hating the sight of a kit. As long as you enjoy it, what does it matter how good or bad you are?

[IL DUCE]

CJM,
I do not know what happened. I had nice paragraphs good spelling ( even before spell check. My puncuation was much improved. I hit post and I freaked that wall of words just showed up ! I agree about sitting behind the drum kit something just happens. Sometimes late at night when all is quite I'll just sit there looking at my stuff and I love it. My enthusiasm for the insrtument has never wavered for a second. I wonder what It would feel like if I were an accomplished drummer. Not a pro making a living just someone who really knows what he's doing.
You'll see soon enough I'm just a guy who owns a drumkit. But Love it I do I have an absolute blast playing. Now that I've ventured into selling drums I'm surrounded by them 24/7 and that;s not a bad thing at all. I think perhaps my contribution will be to help other drummers in their selections of products to help educate my fellow percussionist. I'm sure not gonna wow or turn anynheads by my sub par playing. It doesn't matter I have fun playing I have fun selling. I could not picture my life without the drums in it.

[JT1]

CJM,
I do not know what happened. I had nice paragraphs good spelling ( even before spell check. My puncuation was much improved. I hit post and I freaked that wall of words just showed up ! I agree about sitting behind the drum kit something just happens. Sometimes late at night when all is quite I'll just sit there looking at my stuff and I love it. My enthusiasm for the insrtument has never wavered for a second. I wonder what It would feel like if I were an accomplished drummer. Not a pro making a living just someone who really knows what he's doing.
You'll see soon enough I'm just a guy who owns a drumkit. But Love it I do I have an absolute blast playing. Now that I've ventured into selling drums I'm surrounded by them 24/7 and that;s not a bad thing at all. I think perhaps my contribution will be to help other drummers in their selections of products to help educate my fellow percussionist. I'm sure not gonna wow or turn anynheads by my sub par playing. It doesn't matter I have fun playing I have fun selling. I could not picture my life without the drums in it.

Somebody get this guy a gold medal! If only all drummers were as enthusiastic as you man!

[IL DUCE]

A gold medal ! I'm honored JT Enthusiasm I got. I love my Cymbals so much I tried to make a blanket out of some so I can sleep with them ! It wasn't that comfy I gotta admit. A word of advice if your a restless sleeper like me and you move the blankets around alot DO NOT USE A CHINA CYMBAL around your mid section easy to roll over on to that bell yyyeeeeooohhh !

[Mr. Pasquini]

Man, I love playing shows and noticing that every other drummer there is more talented than me... It's the truth, these very talented drummers in the area show me up left and right. After our last show I was asked to join a band that was on with us, I refused because of time restraints, but I realized that it has a lot more to do with my confidence in the music I'm playing and my dedication to what I'm doing. I'm not a very great drummer, I don't do enough rudiments, I don't practice often enough, and I play too loud sometimes, but I love each piece like a child, while each song might not be my favorite, I treat it like each one is. I think what keeps me going is the constant learning of new, more complicated material. I'm way better than I was 2 months ago, I still suck, but I'm still learning.

I like looking back and realizing I've made a major improvement.

[IL DUCE]

Tried to post a video of me "playing" to confim my Claim It says the files are either too big or I'm missing somethin. I've succesfully posted video, on my you tube page , photobucket and face book. But try as I might can't seem to get one loaded here. If someone can step in and help me getone loaded here that would be great. Either that or I guess I'll download one of mr playing on you tube and just post a link T

[grannydrums]

so what is the utube link-- you should be able to post that