27 replies to this topic

[Raf]

Great quesiton/topic -

I think for me it's a way of self-fulfillment...of getting good at something I really think I was born to do.

I don't make a living at it but have the occasional paying gig. Music has always been my passion but at decision-making time, I decided to have a career in the business world. It ended up being a good financial decision but I always had that pull to anything musical. I'm a bit of a multi-instrumentalist, but always felt a special affinity for percussion instruments and was able to play good, strong basic beats on the drumset. Basic rock 'n roll. Five or six years ago I decided to do something about it and signed up for drum lessons with a great teacher. It's one of the best things I've ever done for myself. What a revelation. How much to learn...and the more you learn the more you realize how little you actually know!

I have worked hard for him and me and the results have been wonderful. Musicians I respect ask me to play with them regularly. Better yet, drummers I respect have had enough confidence in my playing to ask me to sub in on some gigs for them. And even better than that, I am often introduced to new people as a "musician" or "drummer". Could there be a higher compliment? Most of us probably have an innate ability to play drums, but it is only through hard work that any of us have earned the title to be a "drummer". I get more satisfaction out of that accomplishment than anything I've done in my business career.

I'll never make a living at it, but I wouldn't have a good life without it.

[Wishayo]

I play because it makes me feel good about myself and I enjoy it, hoping to be in a serious band one day. But in a small town like this, kinda hard lol. I feel like i accomplish more and more every day. I've never felt better than when I started to play.

[FancyPantsMan]

Without drumming I would die. For the record, I'm in high school, and this is what I look forward to every day. It means so much to me. When ever I need to get away from the world, or when I'm sad or angry, I head for the drums. When I'm on that seat hitting a bunch of stuff, I can be myself without anyone to judge me. Its like my fantasy world. I couldn't ask for more. Its also just plain fun and addicting

[callum]

bump! cause this thread is just excellent !
i'll make my post a bit later on.

[BarryP]

For me drumming is:

- a hobby
- a challenge
- an avenue for socializing
- fun



I enjoy playing, I enjoy learning new songs, I enjoy improving my skills, I enjoy playing with people, and I enjoy playing for people. It's really that simple. ; ^ )

[Tamatrainee]

I would totally agree with Barry P, except that I don't play with or for people but drumming is a big part of my life at the moment.

[GingerSnap]

Great thread... very inspiring!

To me drumming is finally finding an instrument I am good at. My instructor is either an incredible liar, or I am progressing quite well.

It gives me a purpose and goals. I moved to Nashville 2 years ago, and met a great guy. He has dragged me out to a lot of "music stuff" so it is nice to say "I am learning to play the drums." He plays bass guitar with a good friend of ours and now I play drums with them too. It's not exactly a band but I hope to play with them - in public - this summer. It's original music so it takes off a lot of pressure because can do whatever I want.

It is a great stress reliever. My whole life I have never been told I am too loud - until the day my SJC custom snare arrived. When someone is p*ssing me off, I come home and make some noise and feel all better! Things don't bother me anymore, just people.

It's a good modivator to improve my health. Damn this drumming stuff takes a lot of energy! Look at the band members of some of those older bands and the drummer still looks good. Cindy Blackman is my idol. Humor me and tell me chick drummers are hot.

It's an opportunity to get back in touch with my creativity. I am encouraged by my drum instructor to just take what I've learned and make up something, it's like extra credit and breaks the monotony of the lesson books.

And it's just plain fun!

[Mark@Graham]

nice thread, i'll have a think and post mine later.