I finally figured out that kids learn more from what they see rather than what they are told. It took me a while to realize this while bringing up my three great children. They watch you.
How could I have been such an uncoordinated and clueless parent? My wife certainly has wondered about this. (I don’t want to talk about this part.)
As a kid learning to play the drums, I was magically inspired by how my drummer heroes behaved. More than listening to what they played, I soaked up the images of what they did.
For instance, when the word got out that Buddy Rich was going to appear on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, I stayed up until Buddy performed, strutted to Johnny’s desk and confidently chatted about anything and everything. (Mostly about himself and how wonderful he was in every way.) Buddy was like a banty in a henhouse. Confident as a matador.
When Steve Gadd performed with Chuck Mangione and The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra on PBS TV and bounced on his drum stool as he soloed, I noticed his power and mastery. This image was tattooed on my brain for good.
One of my Drum Corps mentors, Brian Fazackerley was always working on perfecting his rudiments during any break and many times a stare from him was a signal for me to “get after it” and practice. I learned critical lessons watching him operate. Work. Persist. Build. Grow.
Here are 10 seismic lessons that drummers have taught me.
- Stay focused and relevant. – Kenny Aronoff
- Ego is something that we need, but we need to control it. Ego cost me. – Bernard Purdie
- Don’t ever feel bored. Not being bored is a position that pretty much anybody can put themselves in. You just need to pay attention to the curious part of yourself. – Peter Erskine
- You’ve gotta know what went before; you’ve gotta know the groundwork. You’ve gotta know the fundamentals. – Ed Soph
- Even the best, at the top of their game, struggle with their own insecurities. – Danny Seraphine
- It’s OK to be confident in what you do if you can back it up. – Buddy Rich
- How bad do you want it? – Brian Fazackerley
- “I really don’t look back at all. Looking forward I just want to be happy. I want to be with people that I love and I want them to be happy.” – Steve Gadd
- A healthy life is a wealthy life. – Kenny Aronoff
- Love and be loved. Love God, love the good spirit, see good in people and try to bring it out. – Narada Michael Walden
What lessons have you learned from a drummer or musician? Please share them in the comments and perhaps it will be advice that readers can benefit from. Readers just like me.
