LearnGospelMusic.com Community
Gospel Instruments => Gospel Drummers => Topic started by: MaestroDivine on October 17, 2006, 03:38:18 PM
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Change the way you think of yourselves, 'drummers'.
The drum-set is but one instrument. If you continue to think of yourself as a drummer, then their is a possibility that subconsciously, you percieve yourself a soloist, who has to discipline himself/herself enough to 'settle' for being but ONE piece of a band.
How do you begin to change this?
Think of yourself as a musician. Before you became a 'drummer', and got into all of the fancy fills, did any/much of the music you love have a drummer who was showcasing all of fills?
More than likely, it did not. It was a collective effort from MUSICIANS, who knew their roles. I think this obsession with licks stems from the fact that we're breeding way too many drummer's, and not enough musicians...
Think back to the first time you became fascinated by an instrument. For many of us, we sat and watched that one musician, instead of appreciating the groove that resulted from a collective effort by all the musicians. As a result, we subconsciously disassociated ourselves from the group, and saw that instruments as a means to showcase our abilities, as an individual. That's why so many musicians are so eager to be the center of attention, and yet need 'discipline' to not do more than what your role call's for.
.....let's renew our minds, starting today. A "drummer" may or may not play for the music, but a MUSICIAN ALWAYS does what the music call's for. That's why he/she is called a MUSICian....
All of these youtube 'shed' clips, believe it or not, do nothing more than reinforce the notion that you're a soloist. When you're an impressionable, immature musician .... you see these clips, and want to express yourselves in that way. That is NOT what real music is about; yet some people consume that stuff on a daily basis.
Lastly, their is nothing wrong with listening to a song to hear what the drummer is doing; however, while it may be hard at this point, try to enjoy the music too. The more you can enjoy the music as a whole, I feel, the less you'll feel the need to interrupt the flow, by showcasing your chops. It definitely all connects.
At the end of the day, you should think of yourself a MUSICian who happens to plays; and not a drummer who happens to play music.
That's all.
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Man, that's deep
Thanks a lot.... Im only 15 but I am trying to "mature" on the drumset as much as I can...I needed that :)
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Change the way you think of yourselves, 'drummers'.
The drum-set is but one instrument. If you continue to think of yourself as a drummer, then their is a possibility that subconsciously, you percieve yourself a soloist, who has to discipline himself/herself enough to 'settle' for being but ONE piece of a band.
How do you begin to change this?
Think of yourself as a musician. Before you became a 'drummer', and got into all of the fancy fills, did any/much of the music you love have a drummer who was showcasing all of fills?
More than likely, it did not. It was a collective effort from MUSICIANS, who knew their roles. I think this obsession with licks stems from the fact that we're breeding way too many drummer's, and not enough musicians...
Think back to the first time you became fascinated by an instrument. For many of us, we sat and watched that one musician, instead of appreciating the groove that resulted from a collective effort by all the musicians. As a result, we subconsciously disassociated ourselves from the group, and saw that instruments as a means to showcase our abilities, as an individual. That's why so many musicians are so eager to be the center of attention, and yet need 'discipline' to not do more than what your role call's for.
.....let's renew our minds, starting today. A "drummer" may or may not play for the music, but a MUSICIAN ALWAYS does what the music call's for. That's why he/she is called a MUSICian....
All of these youtube 'shed' clips, believe it or not, do nothing more than reinforce the notion that you're a soloist. When you're an impressionable, immature musician .... you see these clips, and want to express yourselves in that way. That is NOT what real music is about; yet some people consume that stuff on a daily basis.
Lastly, their is nothing wrong with listening to a song to hear what the drummer is doing; however, while it may be hard at this point, try to enjoy the music too. The more you can enjoy the music as a whole, I feel, the less you'll feel the need to interrupt the flow, by showcasing your chops. It definitely all connects.
At the end of the day, you should think of yourself a MUSICian who happens to plays; and not a drummer who happens to play music.
That's all.
Very well said,Everyone should have read this.I see why your called MAESTRO
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Change the way you think of yourselves, 'drummers'.
The drum-set is but one instrument. If you continue to think of yourself as a drummer, then their is a possibility that subconsciously, you percieve yourself a soloist, who has to discipline himself/herself enough to 'settle' for being but ONE piece of a band.
How do you begin to change this?
Think of yourself as a musician. Before you became a 'drummer', and got into all of the fancy fills, did any/much of the music you love have a drummer who was showcasing all of fills?
More than likely, it did not. It was a collective effort from MUSICIANS, who knew their roles. I think this obsession with licks stems from the fact that we're breeding way too many drummer's, and not enough musicians...
Think back to the first time you became fascinated by an instrument. For many of us, we sat and watched that one musician, instead of appreciating the groove that resulted from a collective effort by all the musicians. As a result, we subconsciously disassociated ourselves from the group, and saw that instruments as a means to showcase our abilities, as an individual. That's why so many musicians are so eager to be the center of attention, and yet need 'discipline' to not do more than what your role call's for.
.....let's renew our minds, starting today. A "drummer" may or may not play for the music, but a MUSICIAN ALWAYS does what the music call's for. That's why he/she is called a MUSICian....
All of these youtube 'shed' clips, believe it or not, do nothing more than reinforce the notion that you're a soloist. When you're an impressionable, immature musician .... you see these clips, and want to express yourselves in that way. That is NOT what real music is about; yet some people consume that stuff on a daily basis.
Lastly, their is nothing wrong with listening to a song to hear what the drummer is doing; however, while it may be hard at this point, try to enjoy the music too. The more you can enjoy the music as a whole, I feel, the less you'll feel the need to interrupt the flow, by showcasing your chops. It definitely all connects.
At the end of the day, you should think of yourself a MUSICian who happens to plays; and not a drummer who happens to play music.
That's all.
Amen.
I had a really hard time when I first started. My MoM would always say "Listen to the Music!" I would always think "What is he talking about? I AM listening to the music!"
I really wasn't.
I was listening to myself. I was concerned about doing something to get an "ooooh" or "aaaaaaah".
I didn't really start to be effective till I didn't care about getting :o's
At this point, I can just play bass on 1 and snare on 3 and be content. ;D
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You came with it this time MaestroDivine... I agree one hundred percent. True musicians is what we should strive to be. Playing the drums is more than fills and chops. I am not going to say too much becuase you said what needed to be said. Stay Blessed and keep coming with the knowledge. Nate J.
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...it's up there. Very well stated. 8)
...I don't know man. For me, musicianship has always been the 1st thing on the list. I was constantly reminded and still am by my "dictator mentors". The music of my culture calls for it. It's in my blood to always play for the song and music and to always enjoy everyone elses' playing around me.
...I approach the kit as a percussionist more than a drummer, constantly listening for gaps that I can fill in with a splash or cowbell or tambourine or something. I guess that the way I think comes from playing congas melodically and listening to horn sections all of my life. I just love to serve the music.
...one thing that is happening to me more and more is that I'm starting to enjoy songs that have "0" drums in them. They're very inspiring to me at times. :-\
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"....as much as we love to play the drums and love to practice the drums, we should spend a lot of time listening to music."
- Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez
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Bump_________... I am voting Div for President... Div report by Jan 15...
The sooner folk start realizing that education/learning is not a priviledge the better. It's a NEED!
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Thanks Div.
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Great advice Div!! I don't know how many times I've been to a performance and less skillful drummers locks in and flows with the music and it has a much better end result than the skillfull drummers that's just too busy and butcher a song.
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***wiping tears*****
I LOVE YOU MAAAANNNNN!!!!!!
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Great advice Div!! I don't know how many times I've been to a performance and less skillful drummers locks in and flows with the music and it has a much better end result than the skillfull drummers that's just too busy and butcher a song.
Preach!
In the final analysis, your keyboard player and Organist and Bass player are not going to be able to shine because they can't shine without a foundation.....
The drummer is the foundation.
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Preach!
In the final analysis, your keyboard player and Organist and Bass player are not going to be able to shine because they can't shine without a foundation.....
The drummer is the foundation.
THough I understand what you are striving to say... MUSIC is the foundation. Let's not push false information based on the stereotypical church and urban players of today's music. Any Solo and Ensemble jury situation or Recital totally discredits your statement. Elton John, James Taylor, Chic Corea, Stanley Clark, Victor Wooten, Christian McBride, John Mcglaughlin, Al DiMeola and countless others blow that theory to shreds. The don't need accompaniment they choose to use it.
We must keep in mind that EVERY MUSICIAN in order to be truly effectictive must have a good/great UNDERSTANDING of TIME & RHYTHM. You cannot play music with those and they are synonomous. When you play time notational values you are playing rhythm. A quote from Max Roach in TRAPS magazine says that he feels sorry for musicians that cannot play time. THe drummer has been given the job of rhythm because the lack of definite pitch in the instrument not able to play a TRUE melody. However, everyone is responsible and accountable for time and rhythm. We are simply insurance to that end.
We drumset players/percussionist/musicians must step up and KNOW MUSIC. We must deliver ourselves from people and their limitations by eliminating our own. We have to stay on our game. A 'REAL' bass player and organist can shine on their own.
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THough I understand what you are striving to say... MUSIC is the foundation. Let's not push false information based on the stereotypical church and urban players of today's music. Any Solo and Ensemble jury situation or Recital totally discredits your statement. Elton John, James Taylor, Chic Corea, Stanley Clark, Victor Wooten, Christian McBride, John Mcglaughlin, Al DiMeola and countless others blow that theory to shreds. The don't need accompaniment they choose to use it.
We must keep in mind that EVERY MUSICIAN in order to be truly effectictive must have a good/great UNDERSTANDING of TIME & RHYTHM. You cannot play music with those and they are synonomous. When you play time notational values you are playing rhythm. A quote from Max Roach in TRAPS magazine says that he feels sorry for musicians that cannot play time. THe drummer has been given the job of rhythm because the lack of definite pitch in the instrument not able to play a TRUE melody. However, everyone is responsible and accountable for time and rhythm. We are simply insurance to that end.
We drumset players/percussionist/musicians must step up and KNOW MUSIC. We must deliver ourselves from people and their limitations by eliminating our own. We have to stay on our game. A 'REAL' bass player and organist can shine on their own.
Regardless of HOW well a musician understands Time & Rhythm, if the drummer is not steady, it throws everyone off. If the drummer increases tempo, everyone will increase tempo. If the drummer decreases tempo, everyone will decrease tempo.
In a perfect world, that would not be the case. But we don't play in a box. We play with other musicians, and they can't say "He's playing a little faster, but I'm not going there. I'm going to play this tempo, and that's it!" :D
That is not to say that we are SOLELY responsible for keeping time. Everyone drummer here as, at some point, been blamed for a tempo fluctuation that was simply not their fault.
But accurate time and a solid groove are key in Gospel Music. That responsibility lies more with the drummer than any other musician.
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I feel you on that Maestro. I'm somewhat of a novice drummer. I was one of those that tried to imitate a Calvin Rodgers or Mike Clemmons fancy fill. I think that has delayed my growth as a drummer. I can do a little bit when it comes down to fancy fills, but when it comes to a straight groove or straight pocket playing, or even just understanding the craft of drums, I struggle sometimes due to the ignorance I had when I first began. Much props on the post, I believe GOD is telling me to focus more on the craft of musicianship and playing the drums whether than youtube clips of sheds and etc...
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I feel you on that Maestro. I'm somewhat of a novice drummer. I was one of those that tried to imitate a Calvin Rodgers or Mike Clemmons fancy fill. I think that has delayed my growth as a drummer. I can do a little bit when it comes down to fancy fills, but when it comes to a straight groove or straight pocket playing, or even just understanding the craft of drums, I struggle sometimes due to the ignorance I had when I first began. Much props on the post, I believe GOD is telling me to focus more on the craft of musicianship and playing the drums whether than youtube clips of sheds and etc...
God Bless you for your honesty. :)
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Regardless of HOW well a musician understands Time & Rhythm, if the drummer is not steady, it throws everyone off. If the drummer increases tempo, everyone will increase tempo. If the drummer decreases tempo, everyone will decrease tempo.
You are missing the point. When you have a real understanding of playing time you are more consistent. Misplacing and displacing and syncopation notes can and will cause a metric modulation (feeling of speeding up or slowing down). If you do not have a good understanding of time your doing this in accident or misuse can make you feel unsteady, especially to folk whom do not have good timing themselves.
In a perfect world, that would not be the case. But we don't play in a box. We play with other musicians, and they can't say "He's playing a little faster, but I'm not going there. I'm going to play this tempo, and that's it!" :D
That is not to say that we are SOLELY responsible for keeping time. Everyone drummer here as, at some point, been blamed for a tempo fluctuation that was simply not their fault.
But accurate time and a solid groove are key in Gospel Music. That responsibility lies more with the drummer than any other musician.
Everyone has got to strengthen and properly practice the playing time and understand all aspects of the quarter note. Keyboardist and singers are always going over the bar abusively because they don't undersatnd time and music structure. All to often doing run that change everytime there try to repeat them because they never work out the rhythm in time.
This is a problem with the genre itself. Gospel musicians and singers rarely even want to follw a drumset musician that has structure and timing because they don't want to discipline themselves. I help out at a small church (not the church I play for) whom cannot even have a comfortable service without a drummer and when they do they cannot keep time on the keys consistent because they allow their own vocals to "float" the time. That is a lack of understanding and discipline. That doesn't even make sense.
All musicians (vocalist included) should practice to a metronome and get a look on timing... groove. BTW, the SERIOUS ones do. Prince emphasized this in an interview in Guitar magazine. He said before even learning a bunch of chords etc that a person needs to get a lock on rhythm, groove... time.
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For those of you who feel my have words impacted you, I invite you to send a 'seed of apprecation' and/or a 'love offering" to my ministry. We accept cash, checks, money orders, furs, diamonds, gold, wom.....valuable art, houses, and the list goes on.
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For those of you who feel my have words impacted you, I invite you to send a 'seed of apprecation' and/or a 'love offering" to my ministry. We accept cash, checks, money orders, furs, diamonds, gold, wom.....valuable art, houses, and the list goes on.
:D dude you are a nut ;D
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That is not to say that we are SOLELY responsible for keeping time. Everyone drummer here as, at some point, been blamed for a tempo fluctuation that was simply not their fault.
Everyone has got to strengthen and properly practice the playing time and understand all aspects of the quarter note. Keyboardist and singers are always going over the bar abusively because they don't undersatnd time and music structure. All to often doing run that change everytime there try to repeat them because they never work out the rhythm in time.
This is a problem with the genre itself. Gospel musicians and singers rarely even want to follw a drumset musician that has structure and timing because they don't want to discipline themselves. I help out at a small church (not the church I play for) whom cannot even have a comfortable service without a drummer and when they do they cannot keep time on the keys consistent because they allow their own vocals to "float" the time. That is a lack of understanding and discipline. That doesn't even make sense.
All musicians (vocalist included) should practice to a metronome and get a look on timing... groove. BTW, the SERIOUS ones do. Prince emphasized this in an interview in Guitar magazine. He said before even learning a bunch of chords etc that a person needs to get a lock on rhythm, groove... time.
I completely understand what you're saying.
For those of you who feel my have words impacted you, I invite you to send a 'seed of apprecation' and/or a 'love offering" to my ministry. We accept cash, checks, money orders, furs, diamonds, gold, wom.....valuable art, houses, and the list goes on.
Furs? Ok PimpDivine
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I feel you on that Maestro. I'm somewhat of a novice drummer. I was one of those that tried to imitate a Calvin Rodgers or Mike Clemmons fancy fill. I think that has delayed my growth as a drummer. I can do a little bit when it comes down to fancy fills, but when it comes to a straight groove or straight pocket playing, or even just understanding the craft of drums, I struggle sometimes due to the ignorance I had when I first began. Much props on the post, I believe GOD is telling me to focus more on the craft of musicianship and playing the drums whether than youtube clips of sheds and etc...
to be forreal im going through that right now so uh pray for me :-X :-\ :'(
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Good word of wisdom Div
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:D dude you are a nut ;D
ditto!
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i appreciate the post its 100% true
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I'm 15 years old and I have been playing for 5 years, well, almost 6 years, 3 of which were with a church praise team and with a youth group praise team. I learned early on (actually I never really had the idea) that drums were only for doing big solos. They are made to keep the beat, and if you can make some cool rhythms and stay on beat at the same time (of course, you have to put them in at the right time), then more power to you!
Well, my first post, signing out!
-David
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I'm 15 years old and I have been playing for 5 years, well, almost 6 years, 3 of which were with a church praise team and with a youth group praise team. I learned early on (actually I never really had the idea) that drums were only for doing big solos. They are made to keep the beat, and if you can make some cool rhythms and stay on beat at the same time (of course, you have to put them in at the right time), then more power to you!
Well, my first post, signing out!
-David
The drums/drumset were not created to keep the "beat". That is a total falsehood. The drums were created to communicate through rhythm (do your research). The drumset is a polyrhythmic multi-percussion kit. It was created to allow one person to play multiple percussion pieces to play 2 or more rhythms simultaneously (polyrhythms) created by African (American) slaves applying European drum construction ti African drum ensembles in what is termed "jazz" music. At no point was it meant to "keep the beat".
In musical terms, the "beat" is the notational pulse of the music. If you are playing in 4 (C) common time the "beat" is the is the quarter note. If you are playing in 8 time the 8th note gets the beat. If you are playing in 16 (like Virgil Donati, Thomas Lang, Marco Minneman etc) the 16th note gets the beat and so on.
When playing muisc we are playing various subdivisions of note values (space/time) that create a rhythm. We are not playing beats. That is a now all too often perverted slang that in misunderstood by so-called/would-be musicians whom most times cannot rightly divide a quarter note. The drumset/trap set (contraption set)/drum kit/multi-percussion set (termed by Max Roach)/drum choir (termed by Elvin Jones) is and always was created to be a polyrhythmic/multi limbed coordinated independence that communicated through rhythm and relatively pitch voices in a consistant manner. Since the creationof the sock cymbal (now called the hi-hat) it has required all for limbed. The drum set incorparate dance technique (as a vast number of the erly drumset players were tap dancers - ie. heel-toe etc) and military precision from European march influence and uniformity/oneness of sound in mind, body and spirit from it's African heritage.
The purpose of the drumset in music is to rhythmically support and communicate the melodic message in song. It is not to keep a beat. It is however required to be consistent in its presentation.
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Ok I see your point and I sort of agree. You don't need drums to keep a beat, and you don't need a beat when you're playing drums (necessarily; some drum solos that I have seen have no sort of beat whatsoever) and I guess drums weren't created for the specific purpose to keep the beat. But that is what they do. They may have not been made for it, but they do help keep the beat. The bassist and guitarists also have to keep the beat in their head just in case the drummer gets off, and vice-versa.
So yeah, I see where you're coming from and I guess I wasn't clear explaining what I was trying to say.
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And since there's no edit button, I'm required to double post.
I just need to say that I registered as Yaggles but didn't want to use that name so I closed Yaggles account and am now using this one, just to clear things up. ;)
Cheers!
-David
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And since there's no edit button, I'm required to double post.
I just need to say that I registered as Yaggles but didn't want to use that name so I closed Yaggles account and am now using this one, just to clear things up. ;)
Cheers!
-David
Welcome to LGM!
My previous response to your Yaggles post was to inform and expand us as musicians not to per say put anyone on blast (just so that is clear to everyone).
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Yeah, it's all good. Thanks for the welcome! :)
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SOMEBODY LOOK AT YOUR NEIGHBOR AND SAY "THAT MAN RIGHT THERE JUST PREACHED A GLORY WORD!"
OHHHHHHHHH, HOBABABOSHA HECOMENAHONDA........AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA HAHAHA!!!!
That's a good word Div! I appreciate the jewels that you just dropped bruh.
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Say a word SIRRRRRRRR! ;D 8)
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i dont call myself a drummer.i c that as a insult @ tymes.i call myself a purcussionist...(that might not b spelled rite) or a muscian...
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i dont call myself a drummer.i c that as a insult @ tymes.i call myself a purcussionist...(that might not b spelled rite) or a muscian...
i can agree wit that that sounds good ;D
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i dont call myself a drummer.i c that as a insult @ tymes.i call myself a purcussionist...(that might not b spelled rite) or a muscian...
As my second band teacher taught me "... Don't be a drummer, drummer's are dumb. Drummer's BEAT on things. Percussionist play their instruments" and music. Walk it out Lady_drummer06. Show folk how it's done!
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...bump. This is great stuff. What "Div" stated here goes hand in hand with the May Edition of M.D. Russ Miller Article.
...Russ Miller states that........nevermind. Read it. lol
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I hear what you're saying coming from a gospel drummer who prides himself on playing with the band but what about the Dave Weckls, and the Vinnies, the Mike Portnoys and the Steve Gadds that do clinics and solo, what are they considered? ?/? ?/? ?/?
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As most of you know, The "Drummer" is the main attraction of the band because people feel that they bring exitement!... As a musician I feel that percussionist should be so well seasoned that they bring out what the other musicians are playing.... If that makes sense!! 8) :-\ :)
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.......yyyeaahh. ::) I'm still a drummer. You guys kill me with all these titles! I'm a percussionist! I'm a musician! I'm a drum player! I'm a drum set musician! :D
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.......yyyeaahh. ::) I'm still a drummer. You guys kill me with all these titles! I'm a percussionist! I'm a musician! I'm a drum player! I'm a drum set musician! :D
(http://www.foxure.com/orly/orly_dr_evil.gif)
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(http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:VW8JfhiANFBzwM:http://www.j-archive.com/media/1998-05-20_DJ_20.jpg)
I'm a pony, I'm a pony... ;D
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I hear what you're saying coming from a gospel drummer who prides himself on playing with the band but what about the Dave Weckls, and the Vinnies, the Mike Portnoys and the Steve Gadds that do clinics and solo, what are they considered? ?/? ?/? ?/?
....they are considered musicians. A clinic is put on by an Educator to teach others. All of these guys mentioned above are educators, craftsmen and innovators. As a matter of fact, Vinnie doesn't even do clinics anymore. He's all about the music. ;)
...I'll post a lil' something about "Solo's" in a minute on another thread. ;D
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....they are considered musicians. A clinic is put on by an Educator to teach others. All of these guys mentioned above are educators, craftsmen and innovators. As a matter of fact, Vinnie doesn't even do clinics anymore. He's all about the music. ;)
...I'll post a lil' something about "Solo's" in a minute on another thread. ;D
I hear you but let's be honest they all had a starting point as well, and every one on this site knows that most likely there was a period were these "educators, craftsmen and innovators" were sitting on the kit at the crib listening to their favorite tunes and putting all the licks that they could fit in. Other wise I don't think we would know them for being such creative "musicians or drummers". Being part of the band is something that's developed through time...
The movie drumline for instance (I know it's just a movie...but still it carries lessons for all musicians) "ONE BAND, ONE SOUND" Throughout years of playing and studying your craft you have to learn as a drummer/musician/percussionist/whatever...to develope an ear for not only your sound but the sound of the unit as a a whole as well, but first I think it is important to recognize yourself and where you stand as far as a musician is concerned.
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Sheen your a Roit....lol.... ;D :D :)
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I also believe that this comment was very well stated. And it really needed to be said. But my question is when do you showcase your chops???
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I also believe that this comment was very well stated. And it really needed to be said. But my question is when do you showcase your chops???
"In the world of music, the heart is the key." -Sheen
Follow your heart fam. Just listen and feel it out. Dont force anything. There are rules in the language of music. Your chops should come out as an emotional expression, not as an outburst of boastful comments. If you pay attention to whats being said (musically) you can respond more intellegently with the right words. Trust me. You will know when its time to showcase your chops. ;)
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I also believe that this comment was very well stated. And it really needed to be said. But my question is when do you showcase your chops???
There's more to chops than showcasing. It's one dimensional thinking if people assume that they need chops for showcasing/showing off.
Welcome to LGM!
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I also believe that this comment was very well stated. And it really needed to be said. But my question is when do you showcase your chops???
You really shouldn't feel the need to showcase your chops. If you truly have "chops" they will come out naturally in your playing. Dennis Chambers, Thomas Lang, Virgil Donati, Marc Minnemann, Gavin Harrison, Jojo Mayer, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Antonio Sanchez, Pete Magadini, Steve Gadd, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Chris "Daddy" Dave, Gene Oliver Lake, Billy Kilson, Nathanial Townesley, Chris Coleman, Zoro, Russ Miller, Rick Latham, and the list goes on.... they never "TRY" showcase their "chops" because their chops are their vocabulary. Their chops are them, They are their chops at this point in their development as MUSICANS. They know the language of music, thereby making them able to express their depest muical thoughts, fully expressing their heart and soul. Chops simply flow wthout thought as a natural response to the musical situation. This is way recent articles in Modern Drummer Magazine from guys like Vinnie have them stating that it is not about chops but about the music because they only naturally play what the music requires. They have become of great report by serving the music (purpose). The music is the purpose. The message is in the purpose (in this case the music like Debra Killings says in here song).
The same is true for WE the aspiring musican or life-long student... we are the lack of musical vocabulary (rhythmic, tonal, dynamics, phrasing, time keeping (internal clock),compositional story-telling, ) that WE display. If we cannot pass the the test of understanding and application of technique required for our chosen instrument and UNDERSTANDING + WILLINGNESS to fulfill our roles in the musical settings at hand then EGO tells us to showcase.
See the musicans I mentioned all have proven themselves by playing from their heart and souls which have shown themselves prepared and able to rightly divide the truth of the professional (proven functional in knowledge an mastered application of their chosen area of study) drumset musician. professional doesn't mean your getting paid it means you know what you are doing. Misappropriated terms cause misunderstandings of where we are in our preparation as musicians, minstrels, ministers. The Bible says that if a man examine himself he should not be judged.... the Bible also says to study and shew yourself approved... a workman unashamed.... I believe these Biblical teachings should be applied to our musical service in the church and lives in general endeavours.
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very tru and wise words, thanx for teh reminder Divine.
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Change the way you think of yourselves, 'drummers'.
The drum-set is but one instrument. If you continue to think of yourself as a drummer, then their is a possibility that subconsciously, you percieve yourself a soloist, who has to discipline himself/herself enough to 'settle' for being but ONE piece of a band.
How do you begin to change this?
Think of yourself as a musician. Before you became a 'drummer', and got into all of the fancy fills, did any/much of the music you love have a drummer who was showcasing all of fills?
More than likely, it did not. It was a collective effort from MUSICIANS, who knew their roles. I think this obsession with licks stems from the fact that we're breeding way too many drummer's, and not enough musicians...
Think back to the first time you became fascinated by an instrument. For many of us, we sat and watched that one musician, instead of appreciating the groove that resulted from a collective effort by all the musicians. As a result, we subconsciously disassociated ourselves from the group, and saw that instruments as a means to showcase our abilities, as an individual. That's why so many musicians are so eager to be the center of attention, and yet need 'discipline' to not do more than what your role call's for.
.....let's renew our minds, starting today. A "drummer" may or may not play for the music, but a MUSICIAN ALWAYS does what the music call's for. That's why he/she is called a MUSICian....
All of these youtube 'shed' clips, believe it or not, do nothing more than reinforce the notion that you're a soloist. When you're an impressionable, immature musician .... you see these clips, and want to express yourselves in that way. That is NOT what real music is about; yet some people consume that stuff on a daily basis.
Lastly, their is nothing wrong with listening to a song to hear what the drummer is doing; however, while it may be hard at this point, try to enjoy the music too. The more you can enjoy the music as a whole, I feel, the less you'll feel the need to interrupt the flow, by showcasing your chops. It definitely all connects.
At the end of the day, you should think of yourself a MUSICian who happens to plays; and not a drummer who happens to play music.
That's all.
Heck ya!
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*bump*
...this needs to be in everyone's drum notebook. ;)
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THough I understand what you are striving to say... MUSIC is the foundation. Let's not push false information based on the stereotypical church and urban players of today's music. Any Solo and Ensemble jury situation or Recital totally discredits your statement. Elton John, James Taylor, Chic Corea, Stanley Clark, Victor Wooten, Christian McBride, John Mcglaughlin, Al DiMeola and countless others blow that theory to shreds. The don't need accompaniment they choose to use it.
We must keep in mind that EVERY MUSICIAN in order to be truly effectictive must have a good/great UNDERSTANDING of TIME & RHYTHM. You cannot play music with those and they are synonomous. When you play time notational values you are playing rhythm. A quote from Max Roach in TRAPS magazine says that he feels sorry for musicians that cannot play time. THe drummer has been given the job of rhythm because the lack of definite pitch in the instrument not able to play a TRUE melody. However, everyone is responsible and accountable for time and rhythm. We are simply insurance to that end.
We drumset players/percussionist/musicians must step up and KNOW MUSIC. We must deliver ourselves from people and their limitations by eliminating our own. We have to stay on our game. A 'REAL' bass player and organist can shine on their own.
'nough said!!!!!
God bless
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Bra you so right. The church I go to got two musicians. I'm one of them. They always want my cousin to play because they claim I play too fast. Like for example, I played only one song last Sunday and I was supposed to play for the entire service because he played first service. I believed I was following the keyboard player because I know he's the lead musician. He also was leading the song. So now I decided to only play when he's not there. If he's not there, thenI'm the back up musician. It get on my nerves because I haven't played in a long time and this happens all the time.
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I got another proposition for you man of god. I want to play for my uncle church right, and my daddy told me I can't play at his church because I have to go to the church my brother plays for. He's the organist over there. I been at my uncle church for a while. I was going there before my daddy took us back to the church he play for now. In my heart, I really want to play for him and I'm a musician over there. I feel like I need to go back to my uncle church. He wants me to come back anyway, but my daddy won't let me. So I've been praying and asking God to try to persuade my daddy mind. He told me when I get my licenses, then i can go back. So I have a desire to do that because I love my uncle church. I started playing at my daddy church, but he doesn't have a church anymore. He said he won't have a church again until 2010 and I can't wait that long to start playing again. What do I do brother?
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I got another proposition for you man of god. I want to play for my uncle church right, and my daddy told me I can't play at his church because I have to go to the church my brother plays for. He's the organist over there. I been at my uncle church for a while. I was going there before my daddy took us back to the church he play for now. In my heart, I really want to play for him and I'm a musician over there. I feel like I need to go back to my uncle church. He wants me to come back anyway, but my daddy won't let me. So I've been praying and asking God to try to persuade my daddy mind. He told me when I get my licenses, then i can go back. So I have a desire to do that because I love my uncle church. I started playing at my daddy church, but he doesn't have a church anymore. He said he won't have a church again until 2010 and I can't wait that long to start playing again. What do I do brother?
You become a diligent student of the craft of drumming, the craft of music and you study to show yourself approved. Get a metronome and learn to sight-read music. Folks want be able to accuse you of playing to fast etc if you are prepared.
Most of all honor thy father and thy mother and be ready when your time comes.
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Thread is always a good bump! ;)