to get both hands as fast as one of Billy Cobhams....
I was reading some old threads about how people want to be at certain stages at their playing, and thinking about my own playing. I came to the realization that, really, there's nothing major in the quality of my personal playing I'm aspiring towards. Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to say there's nowhere to improve or something, for sure there is. But I don't ever really think to myself "By this point in time, I want to get my double Ratamacues to this level" or "play this song by this point in time" or anything like that.
I've got a pretty substantial list of songs I'm wanting to learn, and at the minute I'm preparing for recording an album, and while they're pretty substantial events I don't really see them as weighing in on how I want to improve my personal playing. One of my friends saw this as an "unhealthy" way to look at drumming which I just frankly disagree with. What are your thoughts?
And also, I'll see if I can get two threads in one going on here What are your drumming goals?
to get both hands as fast as one of Billy Cobhams....
Preface to my comment: I know, believe, and fully acknowledge that there is ALWAYS something to get better at.
I feel that at the point I am at drumming, I'm not so much as focused on getting better as much as I am finding ways to make money doing what I love. This could certainly come from getting better, but Lord knows that there are people who are making loads of cash playing in bands that don't do more than simple beats and grooves. So I'm kind of at the point where I am looking for ways to make money playing those simple beats and grooves (mainly as a studio musicians and musician for hire at this point). I always will practice and learn new songs, grooves, etc., but at this point and time that isn't my main focus with drumming.
Kits:
-C&C Player Date 13/16/22
-65' Ludwig Super Classic 13/16/22
Snares:
-DW Nickel Over Brass 6.5x14 snare
-Ludwig Black Galaxy Acrolite 5x14 snare
-Ludwig 65' Super Classic 5x14 snare
-Ludwig 64' Pioneer 5x14 snare
-PDP Classic Wood hoop 6x14 snare
Rides:
-Zildjian 22" Constantinople
-Zildjian 22" Kerope
-Zildjian 20" Constantinople
Hats:
-17" A Medium crash over K custom dark crash
-DW 9000 pedals
This isn't aimed at the above posters, it's just a comment.
Anytime you think you know it all, you become just another drummer.
I am completely goal-less at this point in time. I'm more or less in coast mode. I play when opportunity presents but have no extended ambition of playing faster or learning a new reppatoire of songs etc...It has more to do with where I am and understanding the realities of life.
all the best...
My main and only goal in my playing - rudiments. I simply want to master double stroke and the various paradiddles. My singles are great and I'm happy with them at this point, but I really need to strengthen my double and paradiddle speeds.
Matt, I'm with you buddy. I don't have any specific goals for my playing.
My goals: Don't suck. Have fun. That's it.
It's going! I'm still in college so I have one more year until I'm thrown into the "real world" haha. Having literally zero places to practice on a full kit also hinders my ability to sit down and learn a new song.
I know this isn't aimed at me, but regardless I'll second that. I'll always be the first to admit that I have LOTS to learn.
Kits:
-C&C Player Date 13/16/22
-65' Ludwig Super Classic 13/16/22
Snares:
-DW Nickel Over Brass 6.5x14 snare
-Ludwig Black Galaxy Acrolite 5x14 snare
-Ludwig 65' Super Classic 5x14 snare
-Ludwig 64' Pioneer 5x14 snare
-PDP Classic Wood hoop 6x14 snare
Rides:
-Zildjian 22" Constantinople
-Zildjian 22" Kerope
-Zildjian 20" Constantinople
Hats:
-17" A Medium crash over K custom dark crash
-DW 9000 pedals
Not everyone wants the same things out of their hobbies or professions. I'm even seeing this with my kids. They might want to put 100% into football but only 50% into soccer. I guess you shouldn't need to feel like you're the very best at something to participate in it. That said, if you want to be a great drummer but you don't want to put in the time, you're getting it wrong. Goal setting is a terrific way to get to where you want to be faster. In short, it works!
My goal is to play like Simon Phillips..... or Kenny Howard!
SONOR 6 pc Special Edition 3007's red maple, old Pearl Brass 14x6 FF snare, Yamaha Tour Custom maple 8 pc., Tama 4 pc., honey amber B/B, Ludwig Supralite chrome 14x6.5 steel snare, Paiste, Saluda & Zildjianhttp://www.facebook.com/DerailedRockers/
Loaned out Slingerland upgraded 4 pc 1963 black, wrapped maple + 14" Pearl birch FT
I played live gigs from 1974 until 1998.............made good money..........never once during those years did I need to charge anything to a credit card at Christmas...........lots of gigs during the holidays.
I'm done with playing live although I like to "sit in" on occasion.
Studio work I still love..............very much.
I have no desire at all to be in a band.
All I do now is try to improve technique or, if I'm in hte mood, try to learn new (or old) songs that I like.............like some of the other posts on this thread, I'm working on improving doubles.............I'm also working on improving double-bass patterns.............I play with whtever band I want to play with through CDs and headphones.............I'm having fun too !
Gretsch USA & Zildjian(What Else Would I Ever Need ?)
I want to get super tight. To do that, I'm going to have to record myself a ton.
The only two constants I have are DW and Zildjian.
I'm turning my hobby at drumming into something a little more serious than just jamming with other people and playing a few casual gigs. I'm collaborating with some musicians who are in need of a different outlook on their orginial music when it concerns the groove and feel of the drums. Although the main songwriter can play the drums, my contribution has been at a level where it often exceeds what has already been written for the drums. This pushes my playing ability and challenges my creativity and that's has been my goal for quite some time. I just had to find the right bunch of fellas.
Uh-oh, he's baaaack!
SONOR 6 pc Special Edition 3007's red maple, old Pearl Brass 14x6 FF snare, Yamaha Tour Custom maple 8 pc., Tama 4 pc., honey amber B/B, Ludwig Supralite chrome 14x6.5 steel snare, Paiste, Saluda & Zildjianhttp://www.facebook.com/DerailedRockers/
Loaned out Slingerland upgraded 4 pc 1963 black, wrapped maple + 14" Pearl birch FT
at this point im trying to actually get paid gigs. I was trying to put youtube videos up to get more noticed. But i found that recording myself just made me nervous and made my playing suffer. When i play in church and when we have afternoon services where other churches come out and join our service, people occasionally give me that look like wow hes good. Because there aren't a whole lot of good gospel drummers in my area. Im not trying to gloat I have ALOT!!! to work on but at this point in time theres nothing major that im trying to build upon except trying to get noticed. Im trying to build my timing(cuz I need some crutiquing on my odd time signatures), building my ability to learn songs(you can teach a song to me, and I can get it right away. But this is a good skill to try and always better yourself at), and my foot speed and hand sped( Im pretty confident with it right now, But im always up for increasing it).
DW Remo Vic Firth Zidljian
I've said it before, this is the only hobby I got paid to do. I can be just as happy just listening to music or playing a gig. The gigs do pay more but the balance between the two is still there. I have a few goals but this is not work it's a hobby I really enjoy and have fun with.
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