Find Joy in Playing at the Level You Are Currently At

Hollywood Jim

Platinum Member
I run a weekly open mic jam. I watch a lot of drummers and other musicians play at jams. And I always evaluate their playing. It is hard to not do that. If nothing else I need to know how good they are as I put together groups of players for my jam. I never make negative comments about their playing. And I can always find something nice to say about their playing.

The other day I found myself wondering what would a really great drummer sound like playing with less than accomplished players. I play in a band that has one guitar player that drags and another guitar player that rushes. And the bass player just follows along with me, the drummer. So I have to mostly ignore what the guitar players are playing and just keep a solid tempo. There ain’t no “locking in the groove” with this band. But I still enjoy playing with them.

What would a really great drummer would do in my band? Would Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta or Steve Gadd play it differently than I do? What would Dave, Vinnie or Steve sound like playing at my jam or playing with mediocre players? I don’t know the answer.

There is a need for players that play at all different levels of expertise. We need beginners for the beginning garage bands. We need mediocre players for mediocre bands. We need excellent top of the line players like Dave and Vinnie and Steve for the studio and to be part of groups and to play with artists that play at the very top level. We need players at all levels who are willing to come out and jam with other players.

After running a jam for two years I have learned to respect and enjoy listening to all musicians no matter what level they play at. For a long time I struggled with the hope that I could play at higher and higher levels. And now after playing for 65 plus years I have discovered that I am very happy playing at the level of expertise that I play at. I find joy in playing every time I play. And I have discovered that I am happy playing with other musicians no matter what level they play at. When I play I enjoy helping other musicians sound good. Especially if they don’t play so good. As a drummer, that’s my job.


Thanks for reading my rant…………….

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I agree Jim. Playing can an exercise in joy if we allow it. Or an exercise in negativity if we allow it.

I think being joyful when I play is the most important thing. THAT is what people latch onto, the amount of heart I put in it. I am where I am level-wise. If I can't enjoy playing now, I probably never will be able to.

Music is all about expressing the heart. The better one can emote, the better the musician IMO.

Great quote I read: The best way to do art is to dispense with the good and the bad and just get on with it.
 
Agreed. A good drummer can make the rest of the band sound better. Not great mind you. But better. Same goes for a great guitarist. Bassist. Keyboard player. You can just hear it. And it doesn't make sense to get down on yourself over your own level of playing. If you accept the level you are at and keep playing, practicing and jamming, you will get better. That's how it works. And no matter who you play with, it's a win win. If you aren't all that good, and you play with people better than you, they will make you sound better. If you are better than the rest of the people in the band, you will make them sound better. The only issue is playing with a bunch of people who can't play and you yourself can't play. That can be a disaster. But if each of you knows you suck, then you're just doing it for fun anyway. So it's still a win. Just play. Don't be too hard on yourself. You'll get better.
 
In fact I hope I can always find joy playing at the very basic level I am at. I hope I always can simply enjoy the basics and watching the guys gain confidence riding on my Rock Salad 1/4ths.
 
I used to go to an open mic jazz jam. The leader would always hire a professional drummer, the only paid artist, but it was more of a job for him.
 
Playing the drums has always been my happy place. You really can’t rain on that parade cause I love to play n mud puddles.
 
Thank you Jim. I found your post heartfelt, honest and reaffirming. ( sometimes I think we lose sight of the fact that DW is often reassuring and supportive as a forum, besides all the other insight re technique , drum gear etc) I describe myself to others as a " meat and potatoes" drummer ie pretty basic and I think on the scale , mediocre.Losing 40 years didn't help! But I have good timing and I can learn the songs the band wants to play reasonably easily. I play in a band with other " meat and potatoes " guitarists. I'm working on a few personal goals re technique that only me will know about - but at 67 I figure I'm not going to get that much better ! sigh! But It is a great joy for me to play and jam with others and its one of the highlights of my week ( aside from having the grand children) Thanks again for sharing.
 
I feel that I am happy in the journey to becoming good. I honestly don't want there to be a day where I "arrive" at the end...the best...

As mentioned above, drumming is my happy place. I have never had a bad day drumming...even at my most frustrated.

I also believe that the feel of the drummer has the ultimate say in the interp of the whole band. A legendary guitarist, with a mediocre drummer, is still not going to feel "complete"...but I have seen many situations where a mediocre guitarist sounds great with a great drummer

In marching band, we always say the band is only as good as the bass drum line and tubas...I think in a stage band, it is the same thing...the drum set and bass player are "it", no matter what
 
I run a weekly open mic jam. I watch a lot of drummers and other musicians play at jams. And I always evaluate their playing. It is hard to not do that. If nothing else I need to know how good they are as I put together groups of players for my jam. I never make negative comments about their playing. And I can always find something nice to say about their playing.

The other day I found myself wondering what would a really great drummer sound like playing with less than accomplished players. I play in a band that has one guitar player that drags and another guitar player that rushes. And the bass player just follows along with me, the drummer. So I have to mostly ignore what the guitar players are playing and just keep a solid tempo. There ain’t no “locking in the groove” with this band. But I still enjoy playing with them.

What would a really great drummer would do in my band? Would Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta or Steve Gadd play it differently than I do? What would Dave, Vinnie or Steve sound like playing at my jam or playing with mediocre players? I don’t know the answer.

There is a need for players that play at all different levels of expertise. We need beginners for the beginning garage bands. We need mediocre players for mediocre bands. We need excellent top of the line players like Dave and Vinnie and Steve for the studio and to be part of groups and to play with artists that play at the very top level. We need players at all levels who are willing to come out and jam with other players.

After running a jam for two years I have learned to respect and enjoy listening to all musicians no matter what level they play at. For a long time I struggled with the hope that I could play at higher and higher levels. And now after playing for 65 plus years I have discovered that I am very happy playing at the level of expertise that I play at. I find joy in playing every time I play. And I have discovered that I am happy playing with other musicians no matter what level they play at. When I play I enjoy helping other musicians sound good. Especially if they don’t play so good. As a drummer, that’s my job.


Thanks for reading my rant…………….

.
well said,i wish alot more people in the world realized it. The way i see it jam sessions are supposed to be for creating,not condeming !! thanks for your wisdom
 
After thirty-six years of drumming, my primary goal is maintenance, not substantial improvement. I feel that I've somewhat earned the right to be comfortable with my skillset, as I played with focus and determination for a few decades. I've never wasted time acquiring techniques I don't need, such as double-bass usage and what not, and I've always endeavored to do what I do as well as possible. I have no regrets about what I have or haven't achieved as a drummer. I've done quite a bit of live work and recording -- some for money, some for pure pleasure -- and believe that my time as a drummer has been rather well spent. I'm forty-eight now and intend to continue to pursue both live and recording projects as long as I have the capacity to drum.
 
I'm never satisfied. I can always do something cleaner, faster, longer, there is always something new to learn, a new idea, a pattern I've never tried, it just never ends. I'm very happy with my playing ability, but never satisfied. It can always be better. I dont think I will ever reach a point where I can say "yeah, I think that's good enough".
 
I'm never satisfied. I can always do something cleaner, faster, longer, there is always something new to learn, a new idea, a pattern I've never tried, it just never ends. I'm very happy with my playing ability, but never satisfied. It can always be better. I dont think I will ever reach a point where I can say "yeah, I think that's good enough".

I think we should all have a little bit of this attitude. So that we can keep improving our playing. However, I hope your feelings of "I'm never satisfied" does not get in the way of your enjoyment and your love of playing.

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The thread title could be shortened to:

Find joy in playing

Can one find joy in playing if one is never satisfied?

I'm saying yes. I get much joy from playing.

But I really can't stand to hear any solos I do. I've never been satisfied with my solos because they suck.
 
I've never cared for drum solos and have never played one in any live setting. I would rather hear drums accompany other instruments than listen to them in isolation. I've always seen solos as showcases of technique; their value from a musical standpoint is low to me. Albums made up of nothing but drum tracks don't sell very well.

Drum clinics have never done much for me either. Some elements of clinics can be valuable learning tools, but I still don't get much listening pleasure from them. They're a scholastic experience, not a musical one.
 
I find joy in playing every time I play.

That's the key!

I'm the same way, which is why I have fun playing every gig, regardless of the audience size, and regardless of the pay. Jams and rehearsals are fun as well. It's been a while since I've landed in a situation with poor players, but I always enjoy playing the drums, and that's the most important thing for me.

Bermuda
 
However, I hope your feelings of "I'm never satisfied" does not get in the way of your enjoyment and your love of playing.

Absolutely not. I love to play first and foremost. But it can always be better. I've never experienced that perfect drumming day where I didn't make any mistakes, my tempo was perfect, all stickings and kick drum notes were exactly right, it just doesnt happen. It gives me a reason to keep coming back. And I love to see and feel progress. That thing I've been trying to sort out for weeks, when it finally works and feels right, that is amazing.
 
Like MrInsanePolack, I find joy in improving, no matter how gradual or steep the improvement curve is. Sometimes it's steep, sometimes it plateaus, but the quest for improvement and engaging in the work of getting better is tremendously satisfying to me. I absolutely love playing but at the same time enjoy finding and focusing on things that I can improve. It would be very difficult for me to resign to being stagnant at a present level.
 
I love the part where OP asked how would top level drummers deal with mediocre guys? I for one see all 3 mentioned doing well & being humble enough to have fun. They too were mediocre at one time & remembering that helps them be great now.

I'm a very "Meat & potatoes" player too. I try to practice to Thomas Lang or Anika and I'm quickly reminded I have a long way to go. But when I play in my rockabilly scene, I'm very happy & can lock in for a good show.

I love the controlled bashing. It puts me in a good place & I hope it does the same for those I play with as well.
 
So much of being a "good" player is just to make it work.

If you have your stuff more together you'll hopefully know when to lead and let the band lean on you and when to follow more so things don't fall apart. Different people, songs and styles will need those qualities in different ratios.

Even the top level people have things they are better at than other things. Somhave a great sense of what make a song groove, some have a great harmonic ear, some the creativity and passion to come up with better arrangements and convince the rest of the band that it's a better way. Someone also wrote the material....
 
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