Respect for Drummers

[waydrummer]

Is there any that feels they don't get enough respect as a musican by playing the drums?  I know in some places that the organist is the "musician" and others are left in the background.   I know who ever is playing the keys/organ has a greater responsbility, but everyone who plays should be treated the same. Anybody feel me?

[grooveregulator]

Don't get me wrong I see your point of view, and know where your coming from, but I must disagree with you man.  There are some drummers who don't get any "respect" and some who get alot, more than they want at that.  All you got do is focus on your role and bring your a game every time you get behind the kit.  At the end of the day if you can say to yourself that you played your best and held it down real nice, then thats what really matters, not how others view you as a drummer, or how much people "respect" you, but how you feel you are as a drummer.  Personally, I love not gettin much attention, or respect as you put it, it makes me that much more comfortable and relaxed when I play.

[bomani]

....amen....my sentiments exactly.

[HammerRock]

I really used to worry about how people viewed me, but that's also what hindered me the most in my growth as a musician. I think the respect comes more from how I carry myself when I'm off the platform rather than how I play on the platform (although we do need to study and know what we're doing musically too).

I understand where you are coming from. Maybe the other guys did not read into what you are saying about respect. I am a drummer as well as a keyboard player and MD for a church. Churches usually treat the organist better than other musicians. As far as respect, they do treat other players like they do not count at times. Maybe it is just a Baltimore thing. In Baltimore, we have huge churches that treat the organist like gold, and all the other players like they are not important. Like I said, I am a keyboard player also, so I have seen both sides of the fence. Some organist make a living as full time players. Drummers....well, very few get respect when it comes to kicking out money. I look out for the drummer that I hire. I make sure they get either the same pay that I get, or at least 75% of what I get paid. Sometimes, dependeing on the situation, I will pay my bass player and drummer and not get paid at all because the gig could be more about exposure for me. I am actually a touring drummer, so I do not need the churches money. However, I notice that they do not treat other players the same. I bet they will miss the drummer and bass player if they are no longer there!!!!! I know. :?

[waydrummer]

Thanks man, I'm glad you understood what I was sayin!  And no its not a Baltimore thing, it happens everywhere!

[drummerboy25]

all of u guys are dead on. drummers get no respect at times. but as stated earlier, lets see how much churches would enjoy services with just a keyboard/organ playing. i can tell u 4rm 1st hand experience, they wont enjoy it as much becasue were the ones who put life into the song with our grooves.  i came 2 church late 1 time and they almost had a fit. our keyboard player later told me the service was so dead until i got on the drums. so although we dont get much respect, Keep Doin' What Cha Do 4 the Glory of God and in due time he'll elavate U.  

[kazzd58]

i understand where u r coming from 2 cause i'm a drummer and i felt like that alot, i'm 21 and i've been playing since i was 2 and won talent shows and all that kind of stuff and i'm not looking 4 and all out red carpet 4 what i do but as a drummer u do want to b respected and recognized 4 what u do cause it's not just about the organ player it's the whole band and it's all about god. i promise u i am not the type of person that just look 4 that kind of attention but u do feel under appriciated when new musicans just starting to play other instruments gets more appriciation than u and u've been playing basically all your life. that's what i've been through. and since the lord allowed another door to open 4 me to play at another church people ask now "r u coming back? when r u coming back? so i just ask god to b with me even more and annoint me even more on the set