Band Ready?

If someone will have you in their band, then you’re ready. That’s all that matters.

“Good enough” is an illusion: some people will always think you suck, some people will always like your playing. Neither matter.

You get better by getting out there.

:)
 
PorkPieGuy said:
If you totally suck, don't do it.

If you don't totally suck, you're definitely ready!

Just get out there and have fun!
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I don't totally suck, lol. Being self taught I think I do pretty good. Opinions vary. I enjoy playing along to cds. Tried the band thing a few times many years ago. Watching other drummers in bands lowers my confidence level a tad.
 
specgrade said:
I don't totally suck, lol. Being self taught I think I do pretty good. Opinions vary. I enjoy playing along to cds. Tried the band thing a few times many years ago. Watching other drummers in bands lowers my confidence level a tad.
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Don't worry about comparing yourself to others. If they do something you like, emulate what they do and learn from it!
 
specgrade said:
I don't totally suck, lol. Being self taught I think I do pretty good. Opinions vary. I enjoy playing along to cds. Tried the band thing a few times many years ago. Watching other drummers in bands lowers my confidence level a tad.
Click to expand...

Let's reframe the bolded bit. Instead of a perceived lack of skills lowering your confidence, use it to drive/inspire your personal practice. I am sure those drummers had/have the same thoughts.

Record yourself playing and listen to it with an objective ear. Polish the things that don't sound as good as you want them to. Don't obsess over it. Enjoy the process of sucking, sucking less, sucking even less. etc.

When you get the chance to play with others, forget any self-perceived shortcomings. Just play. Bring everything you can to make that moment.
 
specgrade said:
Watching other drummers in bands lowers my confidence level a tad.
Click to expand...

I want to share this as well...

We had a country band open for us this past weekend, and the drummer from the other band heard me sound checking before they played. I let him use my kit, and he seemed so downtrodden after hearing me play. He brought his snare (vintage Slingerland 3-ply), hats, and one cymbal (both old Zildjians). He never hit any toms, and he would usually just crash as the last note of the song. The newest country song the band played was from 1970. He probably had the simplest playing I've ever heard, but you know what? The dude was a freakin' metronome and solid as a rock. Talk about playing for the song perfectly. His train beats were spot on, and he was as even-Steven as the come.

You don't have to be flashy to play well. Just play.
 
As others have said, it's WAY better to be solid than flashy, and way better to be a good person to hang around with. That's how you get a gig. If, over time, they encourage you to play more stuff, then play more stuff. But keeping it solid so that the other musicians feel good makes the music feel good. And that makes the audience feel good. That's how you keep it going. Have fun, and help the other players have fun, too, by making it easy for them. Then you get called back.
 
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