Becoming a Drummer

Quite simply, the interest in drumming started with the movie "Drumline" back in late 2008, and several visits to "in-the-lot" events like the one in this video. That percussive sound permeates my very being, a surge of happiness.

Although the decision to learn the drum kit is older than 4 years, the last couple of years have been the crucible. I graduated from borrowed practice pads (for rudiments) to my very own electronic drum kit (an Alesis DM-10). I bought a couple of beginner books (with CDs in back, of course) and learned to play some of my favorite reggae tunes first. I'm pretty much self-taught musically, so I have not had lessons to-date. I think natural rhythm, a good ear, and having learned to "feel" songs from playing bass guitar have a lot to do with how quickly I have become proficient. I think I began appreciating music more from a drummer perspective than I had ever attained playing bass for 9 years. I could "hear" the whole song, how drums and bass "contained" everything and laid a foundation for the song. I was captivated by gospel drumming (and bass), how technical it is and how much "freedom" it leaves musicians to be creative. Although my influences are world music (such as calypso, reggae, and Latin or Afro-Cuban rhythms), I'll consider myself well-rounded when I can play gospel and contemporary jazz.

I've practiced drumming seriously for a year now, with an eye towards playing in any band. I've already had a chance to actually play in a contemporary worship church service since last year, in spite of how amateur I still am. On and off, I practice for an hour on days I can, introducing a new song to work on every 3 days. I usually can figure out any regular-signature (3/4, 4/4, 6/8, etc) song in a couple of practices (play the exact beat) before spinning a personal touch on it. And ... I don't lose sticks anymore or lose the click-track. I play conservatively, "measured"; definitely not a "loud" player by any means.

At this point, I consider myself a drummer (and bass player), available to play wherever it is needed. As goals go, the next couple of months will be to polish up my chops and develop consistency, play a wider variety of pieces, and finally foray into gospel drumming. There's still a lot to learn and do, drummer things like the composition of your kit, "luggage" and tools, following some good drummers and their work, reading drum music, and speaking drummer. With time, certainly.