Loss of passion

drummingman said:
I just saw that Tim Alexander left Primus again citing a loss of passion for playing the drums. I think that this has happened to him before.This got me thinking, as dealing with feelings of not wanting to keep playing has been something that I’ve dealt with a number of times over the last decade. How many of you deal with this feeling and how often do you experience it? What do you do to overcome it and keep the joy of playing the drums? For myself, as long as I keep playing the negative feelings usually always pass. But it is something I have dealt with a number of times. Not really sure why that is. Sometimes it’s just because I’m being lazy, sometimes I think it’s because I’ve been drumming for so many years and I think about focusing on other things for a change in pace. Other times I think it’s because drumming has been the sole focus of what I do primarily for the last 25 years so that’s probably lead to some burn out (I gave up a lot of hobbies and other things just to focus on my drumming, but now I’m trying to add some hobbies back in to help me to re-energize when it comes to my drumming inspiration). Other times I’m not sure why.

Just figured this would be an interesting topic for discussion.
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In this day and age, yeah I think it would be very easy to get dispassioned for the arts. It doesn't pay well and when people see you spending time on something that has a high probability of not going anywhere, they start treating you a little differently. That creates yet another hurdle to overcome, especially if those people are ones you live with.

When you see some cat nailing a cover on youtube, remind yourself a lot of things had to come together for that video besides the actual playing: a sound proof practice space to play in, the mics and mixing DAW, the cameras, and the time to do all the editing, and the investment in time to learn it all.

I'm a little dispassioned currently because life has gotten in the way of my practice schedule for the last several months. When I pick up the sticks - and I live with my mother who has absolutely zero appreciation for the music I listen to, nor the effort spent to become better as a musician - I get a little depressed seeing how my technique has declined. When I see prodigies like Kawaguchi putting it all together at such a young age, I wonder if I should've put more effort in early on. How many times have I fallen off the practice bangwagon over my hobbyist career?

Perhaps the real takeaway is that we all fail. It's how we get back up and try again that matters.
 
rhumbagirl said:
I get a little depressed seeing how my technique has declined.
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The thing is RG......the baseline of your skill-set is still very, very high as years of practice sets it way up the scale, even if you can't get any decent practice in for long periods.

The myelin sheaths on the nerves required for your drumming have been so thoroughly developed that when you do get a regular practice routine up and running......it takes very little time to recover.

So maybe take some refuge in that, hopefully that'll help.
 
In response to the OP regarding loss of passion, sometimes the simplest things can reignite it.

Maybe take a trip to your local drum store and chat with the guys there about stuff.

Rearrange your current set-up: add things, change angles, move things around.

Go to an upcoming drum clinic.

Maybe teach a few kiddies in your area.

Watch a few concerts.

I think we all go through it, you'll be ok 😁
 
Benthedrummer said:
The thing is RG......the baseline of your skill-set is still very, very high as years of practice sets it way up the scale, even if you can't get any decent practice in for long periods.

The myelin sheaths on the nerves required for your drumming have been so thoroughly developed that when you do get a regular practice routine up and running......it takes very little time to recover.

So maybe take some refuge in that, hopefully that'll help.
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Awe thanks, Ben! There's a bit of truth in that I suppose. Of course it depends how long the timeoff is. I've been hitting the rubber pad a few minutes a week, so I suppose I kept some of that newly learned skill (added a new technique for trad in January) ready for flight. And timeoff has a recovery effect.

Anyway, not dispassioned. Just hoping to get back on the bandwagon and back to my previous peak. It's all about the peaks baby! LOL
 
bermuda said:
Easy being a relative term. I imagine that some drummers think my gig with Al is easy. Maybe I make it look easy because I created, recorded and performed those songs for decades, and admittedly there's a lot of 2&4 involved.

It's not easy. I'm in a zone from the first note to the last. The experienced drummers know what kind of discipline and focus is required, even on a 'funny' gig, and not every one of them can or will do that.

I had a pretty stringent vetting process in lining-up potential subs on the last tour in the event that I caught covid or otherwise couldn't perform. I contacted about a dozen of the pros I know, and some of them politely turned me down right from the start. They know what I do, and weren't prepared to work that hard.

But it's true, there's nothing wrong with getting paid handsomely for an easy gig... I just can't think of any easy gigs.
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I was referring to being a drummer for say... Taylor Swift. How many different styles that drummer would have to know in order to play for her? Not too difficult of a gig and great money for sure.

I'm sure your gig is definitely harder because it involves playing in the style of many artists which wouldn't be the case if you played for a pop star.

Another thing is I call an easy gig when you don't have to worry about setting up your drums (because there is a drum tech) you don't have to worry about sound check (because there is a drum tech), you just show up to the venue right at show time and play, (because there is a drum tech).

That alone would make a world of difference to me.
I have always been very involved in the entire process and since I never had... a drum tech, I had to do everything myself meaning getting all the gear there, setting up, sound check, performing, tearing down, getting everything back to home base, rehearsing etc. and of course my pay is nowhere near what one of those guys makes. (as a drummer of course I don't know how much they make but I probably make more in my civilian job).
 
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Benthedrummer said:
In response to the OP regarding loss of passion, sometimes the simplest things can reignite it.

Maybe take a trip to your local drum store and chat with the guys there about stuff.

Rearrange your current set-up: add things, change angles, move things around.

Go to an upcoming drum clinic.

Maybe teach a few kiddies in your area.

Watch a few concerts.

I think we all go through it, you'll be ok 😁
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Or simply put a sheet over your kit (to keep it from getting all dusty), leave it alone for a couple of months and if you don't miss it during that time, remove the sheet, take some pictures and sell it. Drumming then is not for you.
 
doggyd69b said:
Or simply put a sheet over your kit (to keep it from getting all dusty), leave it alone for a couple of months and if you don't miss it during that time, remove the sheet, take some pictures and sell it. Drumming then is not for you.
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Yeah, that's another thought for sure.
 
doggyd69b said:
Another thing is I call an easy gig when you don't have to worry about setting up your drums (because there is a drum tech) you don't have to worry about sound check (because there is a drum tech), you just show up to the venue right at show time and play, (because there is a drum tech).
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Not having to manage my gear on the road is a well-earned perk of Al's success, however I never had a tech. Our long-time stage manager handles my gear - everything is numbered/coded on a rack - and sound checks are brief and eventually non-existent... the FOH guy handles it all with a live recording of the band. But I do handle weekly head changes and occasional maintenance. Gotta earn those big bucks!

bigbuck.jpg
 
I sure would like to hear Tim's thoughts.

I bet the issues that burnt him out were off the set...and probably things he cannot mention for fear of alienation and/or contract violation.

Impossible to know even when someone appears to speak honestly...a sad reality.

Economic?...Health?...Social?...Combo?
 
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mikyok said:
This is usually me every October at the end of wedding season. Not so much tired of drumming, just tired of the everything else but mainly people!

I earn my winter holiday which is my treat to me. Got McCartney in Paris then a few days next door in Belgium doing WW1 stuff and Waterloo plus enjoying the food, then topped off with Travis back home. Ready for Xmas run when I get back
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Belgium is such a likeable country. Gorgeous little cities - and everyone seems to be friendly and speak English.
Gets my back up when British people say it's boring!
ps. Have you heard about how Antwerp was liberated?
 
Yamaha Rider said:
Belgium is such a likeable country. Gorgeous little cities - and everyone seems to be friendly and speak English.
Gets my back up when British people say it's boring!
ps. Have you heard about how Antwerp was liberated?
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Yep really into my military history. Did Arnhem just to do the battle a couple years back. Covered a lot of miles on foot and I'd recommend it to anyone.

Never heard anyone say Belgium is boring. Been on the to do list for a while. Looking forward to Ypres and Waterloo is on the itinerary too.
 
Honestly the things that probably affect me the most is band drama, lugging the gear and having plugged away for so long without massive results (financially speaking). But most of it is band drama stuff. For the vast majority of my life as a musician I’ve felt like I’ve been the only person in my bands that is willing to make the sacrifices in order to make the band a success. So I always feel like I’m trying to drag the other members up a hill. And that leads to contention and arguments and what not in the band. Everybody says that they want to do it for real but then they’re not willing to put in the time away from friends or family or significant others, or they’re not willing to do the self financing that is necessary at the beginning until you reach a place of actually making a profit. Or both. I’ve gone through this stuff so many times that it just really gets under my skin and it’s hard for me to deal with at times. And that alone has made me want to quit playing music. But even though all of that is there, I still love playing the drums and I still want to do it full-time for a living. So I keep plugging along, hoping that people will finally get their act together. But it definitely makes me feel burned out at times.

And don’t get me started on having to deal with personalities and people always vying for all the credit for everything that gets done in the band lol!
 
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I loose passion for putting it out there sometimes, in turn I don’t feel the pressure/motivation to keep up my chops (such as they are.) That neglect makes learning things take longer too.
Not a big deal. Better music than I could make is already ubiquitous. Get me on an instrument and making sound and I’m stoked. Jamming with others, even more so usually. Music to me is like a good friend that I don’t have to live with or do business with, and we are probably both better off if we don’t. But our time together feels real and meaningful.
 
drummingman said:
Honestly the things that probably affect me the most is band drama, lugging the gear and having plugged away for so long without massive results (financially speaking). But most of it is band drama stuff. For the vast majority of my life as a musician I’ve felt like I’ve been the only person in my bands that is willing to make the sacrifices in order to make the band a success. So I always feel like I’m trying to drag the other members up a hill. And that leads to contention and arguments and what not in the band. Everybody says that they want to do it for real but then they’re not willing to put in the time away from friends or family or significant others, or they’re not willing to do the self financing that is necessary at the beginning until you reach a place of actually making a profit. Or both. I’ve gone through this stuff so many times that it just really gets under my skin and it’s hard for me to deal with at times. And that alone has made me want to quit playing music. But even though all of that is there, I still love playing the drums and I still want to do it full-time for a living. So I keep plugging along, hoping that people will finally get their act together. But it definitely makes me feel burned out at times.

And don’t get me started on having to deal with personalities and people always vying for all the credit for everything that gets done in the band lol!
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I got lucky with this new band. The lead guy and the bass player are retired, the singer works but she manages her time wisely, the guitar player works from home but he also puts the work for the band, and I love it!
We met once, we already have a band name with a logo and website under construction thanks to the band leader, we have about 35 to 40 songs ready to gig, we are aiming for a solid 40 but preferably 50 so that we can fill a 4 hour gig with some minor breaks.
They all have pro gear but the lead is buying lights and a couple of 18 powered subwoofers. I might buy a Roland SPDX pro to supplement my now smaller kit. There are 3 gigs already lined up. I guess those are the pros of working with serious musicians that are mature enough to skip the drama. I am too old to put up with egos and drama. Drumming is supposed to be fun. Now all those gigs will be paid gigs so that is a huge bonus. Oh and finally the lead is very open to suggestions and will quickly adapt to any requested changes.
I don't think I could find a better situation right now.
 
Rock Salad said:
I loose passion for putting it out there sometimes, in turn I don’t feel the pressure/motivation to keep up my chops (such as they are.) That neglect makes learning things take longer too.
Not a big deal. Better music than I could make is already ubiquitous. Get me on an instrument and making sound and I’m stoked. Jamming with others, even more so usually. Music to me is like a good friend that I don’t have to live with or do business with, and we are probably both better off if we don’t. But our time together feels real and meaningful.
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Love this analogy
 
doggyd69b said:
I got lucky with this new band. The lead guy and the bass player are retired, the singer works but she manages her time wisely, the guitar player works from home but he also puts the work for the band, and I love it!
We met once, we already have a band name with a logo and website under construction thanks to the band leader, we have about 35 to 40 songs ready to gig, we are aiming for a solid 40 but preferably 50 so that we can fill a 4 hour gig with some minor breaks.
They all have pro gear but the lead is buying lights and a couple of 18 powered subwoofers. I might buy a Roland SPDX pro to supplement my now smaller kit. There are 3 gigs already lined up. I guess those are the pros of working with serious musicians that are mature enough to skip the drama. I am too old to put up with egos and drama. Drumming is supposed to be fun. Now all those gigs will be paid gigs so that is a huge bonus. Oh and finally the lead is very open to suggestions and will quickly adapt to any requested changes.
I don't think I could find a better situation right now.
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The band I’m in is a great band. But there are still issues with personality and focus and dedication to be able to make the band successful. Every band is always a crapshoot and you never know if it’s going to actually work out long-term. I’m very hopeful about the band that I’m in. But only time will tell if it lasts and if everybody is willing to do what it takes to make it successful. I know that I am willing to do what it takes, and my commitment level is secure. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve definitely lost patience for people not being focused and committed the way they need to be. Because if I’m going to put my time and resources into making something a success, I expect everybody else to do the same with the same level of intensity and passion. So honestly, it’s hard for me to deal with peoples excuses.

I know that if this band that I’m currently in falls apart that I’m going to go hired gun as much as I possibly can. I really don’t have the desire to start another band from the ground up If this one that I’m currently in falls apart. So my goal at that point would just be to step into a band as just the drummer and not try to take on any of the other responsibilities that come with being a band leader. That way all I would have to do is focus on showing up and playing the drums and getting paid for my work.
 
I didn't know about the heart attacks...I think our perspective should shift to 'why didn't he retire sooner?'
 
About 15 or 20 years ago, I lost my passion for playing drums. I was playing at church and stayed with it because I was called to do it. Eventually my passion has come back. Peace and goodwill.
 
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