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…………….
.
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…………….
.