Enjoying performing

[drummingman]

When I play I have a hard time just letting go and having fun because I’m focused on what I’m doing so that my performance is as good as it can be. This often times leads to me looking bored when I’m playing. It’s not that I’m not having any fun while I’m playing, It’s just I look like I’m not having fun because of how stoic I look. I am still having fun, but to a certain degree. I find that when I try to look like I’m having fun I end up focusing more on that and it ends up messing up the quality of my actual drumming.

Do you find that because you’re concentrating on doing the best you can performance wise that it often affects how you look and your enjoyment when it comes to how you feel when you’re playing? If so what are your thoughts about that?

 

[ottog1979]

I try to "get into it" and away from my thinking brain. When it's not sounding as good as I like it, my mantra is to "go towards the music" - listen & dive into it while playing. Forget about everything else. That usually solves the problem and gets me in the zone. When I'm feeling it and in the zone, people seem to respond back that they enjoy the band and me so apparently I must be looking like I'm enjoying myself. It really boils down to don't over-think it.

 

[drummingman]

I try to "get into it" and away from my thinking brain. When it's not sounding as good as I like it, my mantra is to "go towards the music" - listen & dive into it while playing. Forget about everything else. That usually solves the problem and gets me in the zone. When I'm feeling it and in the zone, people seem to respond back that they enjoy the band and me so apparently I must be looking like I'm enjoying myself. It really boils down to don't over-think it.

I definitely always struggle with overthinking while I play.

 

[BobC]

I tend to look rather unemotional and stoic also when I play. I rarely smile, and rarely make "drumming faces" either. I've had people ask me if I'm bored or not enjoying myself. I assure them I'm having fun and loving my job up there, even though it may not look like it.

Years ago, I realized that playing drums is probably what I do best, and what I was put here to do, so trust me, I'm enjoying every minute of the performance, 90% of the time. It's my greatest passion.

The other 10% of the time, I dislike it when I have to play "Brown Eyed Girl" for the thousandth time, or "Sweet Home Alabama," which I detest. I grit my teeth and get through it.

 

[IBitePrettyHard]

I'm an overthinker, and very stoic when I play as well. My upper body barely moves because my wrists are doing all the work, so at a distance it may look like I'm just sitting there doing nothing. It may appear that I'm not "into the music" as much as I could be.

Everything is happening internally. Even when I may be struggling to play something difficult, my outward appearance still looks relaxed.

When I used to post Rock Band drumming videos to Youtube, I'd often get comments that I looked so relaxed, which was true, on the outside. But during difficult parts, it was all hands on deck in my head.

Here are a few short clips of some of the "busier" parts I posted. It's more difficult than it looks because the timing windows are so tight in this game.

 

[JimmyM]

I try not to be. I probably am on drums more than bass or guitar because I’m less comfy. But I try to be entertaining.

 

[drummingman]

I tend to look rather unemotional and stoic also when I play. I rarely smile, and rarely make "drumming faces" either. I've had people ask me if I'm bored or not enjoying myself. I assure them I'm having fun and loving my job up there, even though it may not look like it.

Years ago, I realized that playing drums is probably what I do best, and what I was put here to do, so trust me, I'm enjoying every minute of the performance, 90% of the time. It's my greatest passion.

The other 10% of the time, I dislike it when I have to play "Brown Eyed Girl" for the thousandth time, or "Sweet Home Alabama," which I detest. I grit my teeth and get through it.

I’m also very stoic looking when I play. I’ve stressed about that off and on for years because of wanting to look more entertaining. But I’ve decided to really try to embrace looking stoic so I don’t stress about it anymore which I think will allow me to enjoy performing live even more because I won’t be overthinking how I look while playing.

 

[drummingman]

I'm an overthinker, and very stoic when I play as well. My upper body barely moves because my wrists are doing all the work, so at a distance it may look like I'm just sitting there doing nothing. It may appear that I'm not "into the music" as much as I could be.

Everything is happening internally. Even when I may be struggling to play something difficult, my outward appearance still looks relaxed.

When I used to post Rock Band drumming videos to Youtube, I'd often get comments that I looked so relaxed, which was true, on the outside. But during difficult parts, it was all hands on deck in my head.

Here are a few short clips of some of the "busier" parts I posted. It's more difficult than it looks because the timing windows are so tight in this game.

I am exactly the same.

 

[drummingman]

Did I mention that I also move very little and don’t make a big motions or hit super hard when I play, so that doesn’t help with looking entertaining. But I’ve always been focused on economy of motion and being super relaxed, and feeling good rather than looking good. The difference is I can play an hour long set of metal and not look like, or actually be, exhausted to where other guys that I see on the bills that I play on look like they’re about to have a heart attack midway through the set. They look more entertaining when they’re playing, but they also look like they’re about to die because of all the big motions.

This is pretty much how I look when I play all the time.

 

[IBitePrettyHard]

Did I mention that I also move very little and don’t make a big motions or hit super hard when I play, so that doesn’t help with looking entertaining. But I’ve always been focused on economy of motion and being super relaxed, and feeling good rather than looking good. The difference is I can play an hour long set of metal and not look like, or actually be, exhausted to where other guys that I see on the bills that I play on look like they’re about to have a heart attack midway through the set. They look more entertaining when they’re playing, but they also look like they’re about to die because of all the big motions.

This is pretty much how I look when I play all the time.

The economy of motion concept is greatly underappreciated and underutilized by drummers today.

You have perhaps the most relaxed playing I've ever seen from someone playing metal. It's very fluid and relaxed like Keith Carlock. Very impressive!

What young drummers don't realize is that they can only play high-energy genres like punk and metal for so long. Once they hit their 40s and 50s, they start to lose steam and begin to develop chronic conditions due to the high stress on the body.

A relaxed technique is key to longevity.

 

[drummingman]

The economy of motion concept is greatly underappreciated and underutilized by drummers today.

You have perhaps the most relaxed playing I've ever seen from someone playing metal. It's very fluid and relaxed like Keith Carlock. Very impressive!

What young drummers don't realize is that they can only play high-energy genres like punk and metal for so long. Once they hit their 40s and 50s, they start to lose steam and begin to develop chronic conditions due to the high stress on the body.

A relaxed technique is key to longevity.

Thank you for the kind words. I just turned 47 in June. These videos are a few years old but this is how I still look when I play now. I already have tendinitis in both of my wrists and my Achilles tendon, and in my elbow on my left arm (it’s hereditary) so I can’t slam the drums like I hate them because it actually causes my body pain if I do. I also find that if I hit too hard it takes away the fluidity of my groove.

 

[Xstr8edgtnrdrmrX]

I also grew up in the metal/punk genre...and played like Neil Peart...concentration face/gettign into the groove face etc. if my beats were not "showing off" my fun, then I was doing my job wrong. Stick tricks, and theatrics were just not part of my "thing" when i play. I generally think they are corny when others do it, so I never did it

on bass though, I am way more animated, and love to interact with the crowd. Again, because a lot of my bass heroes were animated: Steve Harris, Joey Vera, T-Rex, Les Claypool, Frank Bello, Rudy Sarzo, Lemmy...

 

[drummingman]

I also grew up in the metal/punk genre...and played like Neil Peart...concentration face/gettign into the groove face etc. if my beats were not "showing off" my fun, then I was doing my job wrong. Stick tricks, and theatrics were just not part of my "thing" when i play. I generally think they are corny when others do it, so I never did it

on bass though, I am way more animated, and love to interact with the crowd. Again, because a lot of my bass heroes were animated: Steve Harris, Joey Vera, T-Rex, Les Claypool, Frank Bello, Rudy Sarzo, Lemmy...

Peart is very much a huge influence to me when it comes to his compositional approach to drumming, as well as his stoic nature behind the drum set. I also never put any emphasis on stick tricks or that kind of showmanship. For me, it was always about the playing and not about the showmanship.

 

[toddmc]

Maybe not the most exciting performance in the world (I know you're not, but to the casual observer you look almost bored).

Also nothing wrong with playing the way you do (and it would be disingenuous of you to try and fake being anything else but yourself) but can I ask why you began this topic in the place? Were your band mates concerned you weren't "looking the part" of a metal drummer during gigs or.....?

 

[BobC]

Did I mention that I also move very little and don’t make a big motions or hit super hard when I play, so that doesn’t help with looking entertaining. But I’ve always been focused on economy of motion and being super relaxed, and feeling good rather than looking good. The difference is I can play an hour long set of metal and not look like, or actually be, exhausted to where other guys that I see on the bills that I play on look like they’re about to have a heart attack midway through the set. They look more entertaining when they’re playing, but they also look like they’re about to die because of all the big motions.

This is pretty much how I look when I play all the time.

You are very relaxed, and you play that style very well. I too have seen drummers in my younger days who threw themselves all over the place and wore themselves out early. None of my drumming heroes really did that, with the exception of Gene Krupa, who was known as a showman, and Keith Moon, who was crazy in the first place. I'm more like Charlie Watts, who sat behind his drums and hardly ever changed his expression. I wasn't like that as a young drummer. Let's say I've matured...or gotten older!

I have no doubt that Keith Moon, had he lived, would have toned down his style and his onstage antics. Of course, that's a moot point now.

In the Stones tribute band I play in, the leader encourages all of us to smile occasionally, so I try to do that a few times during the night. It doesn't hurt, and doesn't cost any money to cooperate. No big deal. I could see if you were playing in a high class Top 40 corporate party band with an elaborate stage show where smiling and looking animated would be important, but neither of us don't, so I guess we can remain "stoic."

 

[BobC]

Maybe not the most exciting performance in the world (I know you're not, but to the casual observer you look almost bored).

Also nothing wrong with playing the way you do (and it would be disingenuous of you to try and fake being anything else but yourself) but can I ask why you began this topic in the place? Were your band mates concerned you weren't "looking the part" of a metal drummer during gigs or.....?

Perhaps he was just thinking about it and wanted to know what the rest of us did onstage.

 

[drummingman]

Maybe not the most exciting performance in the world (I know you're not, but to the casual observer you look almost bored).

Also nothing wrong with playing the way you do (and it would be disingenuous of you to try and fake being anything else but yourself) but can I ask why you began this topic in the place? Were your band mates concerned you weren't "looking the part" of a metal drummer during gigs or.....?

I’ve been overthinking the whole issue for a few months now. My band is totally cool with me looking stoic.

 

[jda]

depends on the band;
some are total fun/elation (read:easy.)
You know the material like the back of your hand,.
(and everybody is singing and playing it perfectly- soulfully)
Others a little more stern and serious
with occasional elation thrown in.

Matters how well and how comfortable you are with the material. Confident. Somewhat Confident. On-guard.
Or total "throw the cats into the wind" fun.

 

[BobC]

I’ve been overthinking the whole issue for a few months now. My band is totally cool with me looking stoic.

That's all that really matters. You get the job done. That's what counts. Let the singer and guitar players jump around and stage dive!

 

[drummingman]

You are very relaxed, and you play that style very well. I too have seen drummers in my younger days who threw themselves all over the place and wore themselves out early. None of my drumming heroes really did that, with the exception of Gene Krupa, who was known as a showman, and Keith Moon, who was crazy in the first place. I'm more like Charlie Watts, who sat behind his drums and hardly ever changed his expression. I wasn't like that as a young drummer. Let's say I've matured...or gotten older!

I have no doubt that Keith Moon, had he lived, would have toned down his style and his onstage antics. Of course, that's a moot point now.

In the Stones tribute band I play in, the leader encourages all of us to smile occasionally, so I try to do that a few times during the night. It doesn't hurt, and doesn't cost any money to cooperate. No big deal. I could see if you were playing in a high class Top 40 corporate party band with an elaborate stage show where smiling and looking animated would be important, but neither of us don't, so I guess we can remain "stoic."

I try to smile and interact with the crowd in between or before songs. But when I am actually playing, it just feels better to me for the most part to be all business. Funny thing is I’m a complete ham in real life. But when I’m behind the drums, it’s more like a laser focused approach, and I’m dialed in.