A Drummers Responsibility

The space between stimulus and response is where our power to choose lies. As drummers, we often come together at drum camps, festivals, percussive art societies, and drum clinics to exchange ideas and gossip and to welcome new members. It's always a blast, and I can't help but want to call my drum friends right now!

Living in the world of drumming presents challenges as we navigate the expectations of drum culture, the public, and ourselves. We spend time transcribing solos, attending concerts, and studying other drummers and musicians to develop our style.

One of the biggest challenges we face is finding a suitable place to practice due to the noise level. Our practice pads are a great training tool, much like a punching bag for a boxer (except the pad doesn't hit back!).

We focus on practicing stickings, rudiments, coordinative patterns, and rhythms—essentially our scales—over our drum set at the speed of thought. When the time comes to play, we draw upon all these elements to add depth to the music. It involves using the timbral variety of sounds with coordination and the unpredictability of improvisation, combining the creativity of the drummer and the band.

As musicians, we have the power to focus our attention to unlock our subconscious and bring our desires to life! For drummers, our creative fulfillment comes from not only making the music work but also making it matter.