In one of my lessons with John Riley, I asked him about talent. I have often thought about whether there is such a thing. Many drummers-to-be ask me about this too, wondering if they have enough talent to make it worth their while to try playing.
Honestly, I’ve never thought I was particularly talented. But I work really hard, I’ve always sought guidance and I’m really excited and passionate about drumming. I believe that these are the keys.
When I first wanted to play drums, I found a local teacher who put me on the right track with learning to read, working on technique and developing independence. I practiced a lot. The more I practiced, under this guidance, the faster I got better, so I practiced more. That continued. This cycle informed my opinion of talent.
It was that hard work with the proper guidance that allowed me to become a good drummer. The hard work was fueled by passion. This part is kind of unexplainable. You are either passionate about something or you are not. I was (and still am) passionate. When I was a teen and started listening to Led Zeppelin and RUSH, I heard drumming that excited me. I can’t explain why, but I was so passionate about what I heard that I had to find out how to do it. This passion drove the work. I became a drummer.
This continued through many stages. I would get excited by different drummers and different styles of music. Then I would dive into those musical waters, transcribing and learning that type of drumming.
This cycle continues to this very day. I have a new band I’m working on and I am inspired by the music to create great drum parts. Sometimes the drum parts I hear in my head require a coordination I don’t have yet. So, I have something new to work on. But it is the music and passion that inspire the practice.
So the cycle works like this:
Passion + Guidance + Hard Work/Practice =Drumming Proficiency
So back to my lesson with John Riley. I asked him if there was a gift that allows one to be good. John replied that the gift is merely the ability to have the focus to do the work required to acquire skill. So I had a gift, but the gift wasn’t some secret innate ability to be a good drummer. The gift was the ability to lock myself in a room for hours on end and practice.
So, that’s the secret. There is none.
Now, go practice.
He first gained attention as one of the winners of Modern Drummer magazine's very first drum solo contest, judged by Rush's Neil Peart.
He's played with Oz Noy, Will Lee, Alison Krauss, Curtis Stigers, Emily Remler, Joel Hoekstra, GE Smith, Andy York, Marshall Crenshaw, Tony Shanahan, The Drifters, The Marvelettes, Big Brother and The Holding Company, and many other artists.
For more info: onlinesessiondrummer.com
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Singular focus! The secret claimed by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, as well. Great (and valuable) post, man!
Hi Mark – thank you for your comment. I appreciate it. I’m trying to help and if that is the case, I’m happy.