It's got to stop (a message for drummers)
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- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
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It's got to stop (a message for drummers)
I recorded this a while back but it still rings true...so I thought I would post it here.
Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts
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Would love to know how you feel about this topic...
This has always been my thought, we must not compare ourselves to anyone, let's start from the assumption that we are all different, I think that we must learn and take something from many, but in the end how we play it on our instrument, it won't be the same as what we have heard. This is why I advise you all to register, I also make videos, but mainly to share my passion for drums!
I love this, Stephen! Though I'm a mere guitar player, I doubt myself everytime I pick up my instrument. It really is about expressing yourself and not how you compare to other musicians. Thanks, man!
It's a great topic and video to bring out as a reminder for everyone. This is a mental health and personal issue which can easily be the first drip in the depression cup, hell it can also be the last one to make the cup overflow and spill out. Taking the comparison notion out of the equation can be very freeing and lead to some happy sessions.
Thanks for the love Brother and Love right back to ya. Rock on.🤘🤘🧡🧡
Competition is healthy, comparison is not
i agree with what you said, but setting goals based on other players isn't bad in my opinion
dave grohl became famous as a drummer of nirvana....terrible drumming...but.....it was what served that music.
“Comparison is the thief of joy”
Kept this quote in front of me for years...until I started living like it was true. And that took a while
I almost posted this exact comment. Great video. I think we all have to keep reminding ourselves of this.
Fuck yeah. All comes under ego, the ego is a thing of comparison and the moment that we can learn to control it and look at things through the objective lens of our personal experience I believe that we can definitely extract more joy out of our hobbies and in this case become a better drummer.
Still important to understand that perhaps we aren’t as good as some other drummers- but not in a condescending way. More so in a way of enlightening, used to make us realise how much more there is to learn and how motivating that is.
I had a real struggle with imposter syndrome playing today and I realised that sometimes it’s a necessary evil to make us musicians realise that we aren’t sometimes as good as we might think and that it is important to continue to progress and learn!! Still crucial not to fully submit to these negative feelings though.
Sorry for the spontaneous essay,
Keep drumming!!
@@hoe2785great comment❤
I’m a huge fan of this quote. Not sure who said it I’m surfing I have it written down somewhere.
I started playing when I was 48 (just turned 52). I knew going in that there were things I would never be able to do on the drums having picked them up so late in life. My goal is and has been from the start to continue learning and improving in my personal journey on the drums. As long as I continue to strive toward that goal, I've already succeeded.
Couldn't agree more
Awesome! Just keep playing and feeling it! ✊
love it. Inspiration. I'm 51 trying to fight through the frustration of Smells Like Teen Spirit. Damn Growl.
I started playing at 50. Practiced for about 6 months on an e kit. Then auditioned for 2 bands. One was original punk, the other classic rock.
Surprisingly to me, I got into both. Took about a dozen lessons from someone who became a mentor. Older guy, like myself, with lots of touring and recording experience. Invaluable. At one point he told me something that really helped me. That was that every drummer has something to express and each has strengths and weaknesses. Ten years later and I have done hundreds of shows and some recordings as well. Currently I play with my band and sub for others. Clubs, weddings and events. Never too old my friend.
Well said! It's all a journey and we are all at different points along that journey. 🙌🏻
You can never be better than a second class someone else..... you can ALWAYS be the best YOU!!!! Thanks for posting Stephen!!!
Very well said Stephen. I often compare myself to younger or more experienced drummers and I become envious of their skills. I’ve been playing drums since the age of 4 but stopped playing regularly for almost 20years and today at 56 I decided I was going to play for myself . I’ll never be a John Bonham or a Carl Palmer but I can sure as heck study them, imitate them and draw whatever inspiration I can get to be a better drummer. I play by ear, can’t read music, don’t ask me to write down the structure of a song but give me a few takes and I’ll play the song the way I hear it. It’s not always exact and somewhat unorthodox, but I have grown and musicians ask me to play because of how I play and not who I sound like. 😊
That last sentence is key. My playing entered a whole other realm when I decided to be myself rather than someone else
I did exactly the same thing. I stopped playing at 28 and resumed in 2020 (at 66) as a way to keep my sanity during the height of the pandemic. I suck, but I suck a lot less than I did three years ago, and playing keeps me mentally and physically active. That is enough for me.
Good for you man. I've been on a bit of a hiatus myself.. After quite a few years of dedicated playing/practice, my band broke up, and I've had some failures trying to play w/ others because of my lack of talent. I look forward to the day that I, like you, am able to enjoy playing for myself. Right now myself hates to hear me play.
Thanks I needed to remind myself of that
I think it's great what you're doing mate but recommend you learn to read drum notation. It isn't hard and really helps your progress.
It’s so hard to not compare yourself. It always seems like everyone else is so far ahead and I’ll never get ‘there’. I love playing drums .. so much so, it brings me to tears, but the thought of playing in front of others is worse, even though I know I can. It’s like everyone is judging me. I know I put that there, but how to break through it, man it’s hard. Great stuff again Stephen.
The mental side of drumming is the hard stuff
😃 Remember this Andrew, in my personal opinion, the most important things in any song, is the music, vocal melodies, and chorus in the lyrics, not how fast or technical you play!!
Remember, we are here to drum for the music, to make the music feel good and the musicians we play with feel comfortable. To be overly concerned with what other drummers might think is a distraction and should be tempered with the balance of good work habits in the practice room and good musical habits in serving the music and the players you accompany.
Im starting my drumming at the age of 51. I said right from the start that I just want to beat to some songs and enjoy myself. Rather i get "ok" "good" "great" or "mindblowing" I simply just want to have fun and make myself happy. Ill never be "great" and im ok with that. BUT I will be "ok" and im ok with that too lol...Good video and message.
Keep that mindset and you're gonna have to amazing drumming journey
I played in my teens. Took back up a year ago at age 66 because I don’t play golf. 😂 Love watching your videos and different drum covers to learn different snippets to expand my ability, but no interest learning note for note. More interested in having fun playing to the songs of my youth my way. Thanks Stephen!!!
Pearls of wisdom there Steven. And it applies to more than drumming. Thanks for sharing.
I used to jam with a guy who said, "Be a first rate you instead of a second rate them."
He didn't care if I couldn't pull off something another drummer did that I was trying to copy, he wanted to hear what I could do instead.
I've never had more fun playing with anyone than that guy.
Sounds like someone id like to jam with. Fantastic advice 😁🤘
As someone with constant self-esteem issues regarding my playing, this is what I needed to hear today. Thank you, genuinely.
I'm not even a drummer and this still resonates with me. We see this all across music. Great work!
Thank you bro! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! This had to be said, but obviously no one had the balls to do it! You speak to me right out of the soul! Thank you! Love this channel 👍👍👍
MY RUclips DRUM VIDEOS ARE A LOT BETTER THAN YOURS STEPHEN! AND I DON'T EVEN HAVE ANY DRUM VIDEOS ON RUclips!! lol JK! Great vid btw!
So true. Just gotta be yourself and play your way🔥🥁👍
We should be much more concerned with quality in our own playing, which is WAY different than the comparison thing
Hi Stephen, this is the best advice I have ever received in 50+ years on the skins. Never a truer word spoken and if any new players can take anything away from this it is the basic premise that all drummers are unique. THAT is what makes this craft evolve and flourish.
I was taught from an early age that the only job I had to worry about was keeping time as best I could. If I couldn't do that then really, the rest does not matter. Kudos to you for this topic. Keep in the pocket.
PS: I'm Australian and you are welcome to have my accent anytime. Regards.
I needed to hear this today. Thank you so much for posting.
Good vid! I'm clearly not a competitive drummer! I enjoy watching talented drummers! I don't feel inferior to them. I just love playing the drums. Just jam, no matter what!
Gotta do it for the love!
@@StephenTaylorDrums My eldest who's 8 has developed on the piano and he seems happy with that. I cannot get my 2 year old off the throne, nor can I always find my sticks!
For the million guitarist less than me, there is also a million better than me. We are all good at the level well play at, it is about how I play that matters, using my own style and sound.
Great topic and important message! I try to say that to my son all the time. He's 14 and loves to play the drums, but sometimes he compares himself to others (mainly on youtube) bringing him self down.
So important to learn at an early age. I have the same discussions with my son
This is a very personal journey and it is unique and special to each one. Just F.U.C.K.I.T.
Focus
Understanding
Consistency
Knowledge
Intentionality
Time...and pressure makes you a diamond.
I am serious about it. Not being sarcastic or anything like.
It's just my way of maintaining myself on track.
It's my track to reach my uniqueness in playing.
Thanks Stephen...!!!
Haha! Love that acronym!!!
Drums in the background are fire! Almost tribal native feel.
A elder handed the young man a leaf and asked his young student to enter the forest to find one that was identical. Not knowing any better the student started to enter the forest to find the leaf, but the elder soon stopped the student and explained no two leaf's are identical, we and all things are unique. Be inspired by others and embrace your uniqueness it is your gift.
Thank you! I recorded those in one take...just walked in and played what came out. I appreciate the kind words. Great story btw!
Most of the time, nobody need or wants all those showy chops in the song. They want a drummer that KEEPS TIME, plays at the volume the gig calls for, shows up on time and is a good hang. That’s about it…
That'll keep ya workin. A lot of what is focused on these days are skillsets outside of the gig set needed. Sure, let's be the best we can be. Let's get all the chops. But know your job and know it well. The rest is icing on the cake.
This haunts me as well.
It’s tough not to do these things though.
At times.
“All these things we do are but moments in time, don’t waste them on what does not matter”.
The mental side of drumming is so kuch harder than just actually drumming.
Hello Stephen, thank you for an inspiring video on comparison , this is somthing drum teachers don't talk about . You truly care about other people and drummers . we can look at many things in life and use your advise . thank you for being a REAL BROTHER DRUMMER !!
👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻
I am not kidding! I'm not trying to be funny and funny1 Damn right today I felt depressed after watching a few videos on RUclips.....I've only been studying for a month and a few days since I became a student at Taylor's school. I am 45 years old. Much is too late. But damn it - this video was a huge motivation for me! It's inspiring! It makes you get your ass up and be yourself! This is so lacking. And today it saved my motivation!!! Thanks Taylor! ((Sorry for my English. I'm just learning the language. I speak Russian lol))
I deal with this all the time. We all do...focus on your path, the lessons your learning, and your goals and it's one of the most rewarding journeys ever
Outstanding advice. Porcaro isn't Bonham isn't Moon. And it's okay for them to be what they are. You be you.
Absolutely!
Ive been playing since i was 14 or so.
I played because all i could think was i wanted to be the best, i became the better of friends and such, but then when the internet came along alot heavier and people could do all this crazy stuff. I stopped for 5 years. I felt completely defeated cause i couldnt keep on with how they could play.
Today i played a gig for the first time in years, i felt like i lost track here and there, but as i said to the guitarist afterwards, im so happy to do it again. The push forward is now what i want to do. I want to do it because i enjoy it. I want to have a good time
All about that push forward!
Inspiration, not insecurity.
Over the years, I've matured onto the idea of being ultimately inspired and motivated when I see my favorite drummers share their lessons, philosophies on music, and advice. It's ok and natural at first to be anxious or self-conscious when you hear someone who is "better" in technique and smoothness, but as I've said, I've channeled such scary feelings into feelings of curiosity and wonder, knowing that with more and more practice and desire, anything can become possible behind the kit. Even then, there is no point in comparing yourself to others, because at the end of the day, music was never about competition. I will never be a perfect musician, as no one ever has been, or ever will be. However, I, and everyone who seeks to be, can and will always be a better musician than yesterday.
Yes!
Thank you, Mr. Taylor. This is a highly evolved thought that delivers an even higher life of consciousness. Somewhere, there is a gig for all of us at our current level. To aspire to more is divine. Love this vid.
Absolutely! The goal of practice is to build up vocabulary that lets us more effectively express our musical ideas. I have no time for those "world's fastest drummer" competitions. Drums are not an Olympic sport, it's a musical instrument. Make music -- YOUR music. Be yourself and express yourself. Definitely continue to build up your skill set, but for the purpose of better expressing yourself -- not to "beat" someone else, whatever that means.
Just shared this with my bandmates and social media. About me: I'm a 54 year old drummer who has been playing since 5th grade. I can't play double kick, my shuffles are questionable at best, but I love to play and I've been lucky enough to play with tons of people in my life and enjoy every minute of it. I've always said that success is working at your craft so that you're better today than you were yesterday, and that you'll be even better tomorrow. Music ISN'T and shouldn't be a competition. Music is a group of people coming together to create something better than you could accomplish as an individual. Thanks for posting. Going to share this all over the place.
I've recently started to get very serious about practicing drums again. I started playing when I was 14, I'm 30 now. For the better part of the past 10 years, I didn't really practice because I just didn't really see the point. I didn't feel like I was good enough, didn't feel like practicing would get me anywhere. I'm finally starting to slowly win that battle. It's not without its ups and downs; I still have days where I get discouraged really easily, but I'm definitely gaining the upper hand. So yeah, to anyone reading this who relates to my story or to what Stephen just talked about: there's hope:)
Great video! This has always been my thought, we must not compare ourselves to anyone, let's start from the assumption that we are all different, I think that we must learn and take something from many, but in the end how we play it on our instrument, it won't be the same as what we have heard. This is why I advise you all to register, I also make videos, but mainly to share my passion for drums!
Man, did I need to hear that... My big downfall is seeing someone who has been playing a fraction of the time I have, but is light years ahead of me, and thinking I should've been putting in more time on the kit. Then the "what ifs" start. What if I never played sports, guitar, or bass, and just focused on drums? How much better would I be? A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a dangerous place to dwell
That last sentence is killer...I may steal it haha!
@@StephenTaylorDrums I come up with a gem every now and then 😉
You SHOULD be LOVING and ENJOYING playing regardless of "standard" ! If you LOVE playing then practice WILL come naturally and with practice comes a higher standard and a higher ENJOYMENT ! Like most things we love ebbs and flows occur but we get through it ! My biggest mistake was not keeping up LESSONS when I was starting because having an EXTRA set of EARS and EYES to STEER you WILL move you to new levels of STANDARD and ENJOYMENT !!! RUclips WONT CUT IT !!!! WATCH, LEARN and ENJOY others playing !!! The whole idea of playing any instrument is to CREATE music and ENJOYMENT for yourself and OTHERS !!! Id rather JAM with a beginner musician who LOVES playing than a poser with no passion !! Im 64yrs old and jamming with others half my age !
Message to beginner drummers. I've found most of the RUclips 'tutorials' out there that say "5 beginner drum fills you MUST KNOW NOW!" are usually intermediate level and require 2,3,4 years of practice to pull off competently. They are not suitable for someone who's starting out. Get some face to face drum tuition and let them guide you, not You Tube!
Funny, I needed to hear this back in 1985! I stopped playing "professionally" after watching Omar Hakim playing I Burn For You. It was so ingenious that I asked myself what the hell I was doing with my life. The interesting thing to me was once I stopped trying to make a living playing, I started enjoying playing a lot more. This is still s great message, Stephen! You should re-post it at least once a year.
Thanks Stephen, i needed that. I'm not going to analyze everything you said, because every point resonated and hit home.
Glad to hear it my friend!
@@StephenTaylorDrums thanks
For me feel always trumps technique. But that’s just my opinion. Unless you’re Bill Bruford of course 😂
Story: I grew up playing at the drum off comps and failed, always feeling crushed and disappointed when I was not better than the rest. Eventually after years and years of failure, I won a store final. Then I lost the quarter finals.. in front of Barnard Purdy. He seen my frustration, came up to me, grabbed the top of my head and said, “it’s ok, don’t focus on the flashy stuff, on being faster, on rushing. Focus on your self, the groove. Breath and don’t think about the other players.” Just some words of wisdom from a legend really changed my perspective. Then I stopped thinking about the contest, and thought about myself. What I can learn to better my playing and hope what I do can inspire others.
I feel a lot of these contests and battle of the bands take away that sense of self worth when the goal is to judge who’s better than who. When you enter it with the mindset of” let’s learn something” Vs “let’s see if we are better than them!” Your ability and growth as a musician will become so much better rather than a set back of disappointment and/or envy.
Let’s all learn and grow, support each other, and make the best of our passions as we can! Cheers 🍻
Thank you... Need to remind myself of this. Need to be better than I was yesterday, not as good as "x"
Exactly
@@StephenTaylorDrums been going thru a really nasty dry spell... No inspiration and no drive to get behind the kit lately. Took them apart, cleaned and put real heads back on ( had practice quiet heads on ) so maybe that will bump me forward
This applies to pretty much anything. Be better than you were yesterday. Pretty much how I've lived my life.
Valuable, Valuable, Valuable information, Thanks Much!!!!
Best drumming video with no actual drumming (apart from the beautiful improv in the background).
I love absurdly skilled musicians, it genuinely makes me laugh when I hear something ridiculously unplayable. It's amazing.
Nailed it. Love the background drumming; I love being inspired by many drummers from famous to virtually unknown, but I don't strive to copy anyone. G'day from Australia, by the way!
Good advice! Drummers, do NOT watch Yussef Dayes !
VERY GOOD job, "my brother in drum artistry". KEEP this up. I have been 'this guy' ..we all have. Now, a bit of context I have come to use in my playing [50 yrs now] ..and a bit of teaching here in my home, Austin Texas. FIRST [and not picking on the late, great] Neil Peart. If you can find the [1980s] Modern Drummer mag issue on the "tracking" of Rush's " Moving Pictures" LP..seems like I recall here , that some tracks reflect 'several' [10-15] even!?, ..passes by Neil "punching in", [perhaps old school 'tape splicing'?]..VERY common this all was [and totally lost on 'Pro Tools' generation]..best I can tell, even Rick Beato, with all his credits, for instance, let his goto drummer, sometime back, teaching my friend Steve Gadd's seminal "Aja" solo, under late Wayne Shorter's sax solo ..as a "clicking sticks together", instead of what clearly was a "mistake", on a First Take! ..anyone that has recorded on tape as much as I have , knows the sound of wood on wood, and that of hickory stick on die cast METAL drum rim. JEEZ!, this drives me nuts!...all this to say, you a making a VERY important argument here, I will do my part here in Texas, I promise you! [Tom Friedley] in Austin, HEY, if you are down Stephen, my multi-media venture, is making Nov 2023 Int'l Drum Month in Austin, plans now. ..waiting to hear back from Simon Phillips, I am, and I still owe email to Steve Holmes, out in LA., promise to make all this worth everyone's [$$] while, I promise, think on it.. All the Best to 'ya!
Totally agree but when El Estepario has opened up never before seen levels of drumming it’s hard not to compare 🤯
Music is about the tune. And everything is not equal. Life...
never let social media be an influence on you. keep your emotional music baggage in the music court. Just do the work and realize if you share it, you no longer own it. people do... People will love it and hate it. FORGET THAT, move to the next piece of work. KEEP WORKING>! that is all you need to worry about.
Such true words and complete sense BUT people always judge themselves against others in there chosen field. This should be an inspirational video for ALL people to watch as relevant to ALL fields of human endeavour......Thanks Steve
Being a copy drummer , i have always tried to emulate what the drummer im copying is doing. I dont mean just the song, but to understand how and the reason he plays it that way. Studying technique, nuance. To get into his head so to speak.
When i started out young typically i worried about who was better than me. However i quickly learned not to worry about that. And just do my job to the best of my ability. It made me quite successful.
Although many comin uppers are very good... i see many of them just banging , without any feel for whats really happening. I dont mean to be critical of anyone. How ever if i had 2 cents it would be this...
Practice above your pay grade. ( more difficult that you would be playing at a gig)This will allow you to ace what you're going to be playing. Relax. Listen. Dont worry about the guy next to you. Hes worried about you.
Side note.
I always figured if i can play what you can play... im as good as you.
Peace
This should be applied to everything not just drumming.
SO hard to remember, but:
1) comparison leads to injury, always, and
2) spending time on the internet is like watching a bunch of other people's highlight reels while you're living through your blooper reel.
Let's be kind to ourselves.
Very good advice/encouragement. This has been my biggest mental hurdle. Comparison talk from drummers and the "best drummer is _____" statements leave me instantly thinking, "This person has limited musical knowledge. And only listens to one slice of humanities offerings placed within music." I find western music, overall, rythmically drab, devoid of natural inspiration. Imitation and mirroring other players' recordings to "perfection." Lame sauce, ya'll can't sit in with other musicians unless it's charted 😢. Fool in the rain might never have happened without that Purdy shuffle shuffling around in Big John B's noggin from Porcaros' reinterpretation of it. Emulate, manipulate, Theta state.😊😮😅❤
Great message Stephen, I really struggle with confidence , I haven't jammed with a anyone in 20 years,lol. Waiting until I'm perfect at this groove,that shuffle ,this solo, Purdie shuffle, Moby Dick ,YYZ ,Tripping Billies, . Absolutely ridiculous, I know. Paralyzing stage fright unless I get 6 beers in me .yet I'll play along ,practice ,work on things I want to play for hours. Wife and kids compliment me "wow dad,I can tell what songs you're playing" with no backing music they can hear. At least 3 of my kids buddies have become drummers , joined bands and gig ,1 has even recorded with his band and put out an EP. Lol , so proud. Funny thing ,he tells me all the time I'M one of his inspirations and reasons he plays. I've subscribed to your channel almost from the start. The lessons you gave me ,I in turn gave them to others. I shouldn't get the credit,lol. At 57 I've maybe resigned myself to being a really good basement drummer. Letting any and all who want to give it a go without any judgement or ridicule , let it go man ,hit em, if I cant break,you sure as heck can't. I'm good with that,maybe that's my lot in life . Thanks for helping me help others . Peace
Every time I watch one of the plethora of drum cover videos--especially that dude who plays 100 miles an hour with one hand--I am left with one question: What's the point? I go back to something Donald Fagen once said in an interview. He was asked if he were flattered by the growing number of Steely Dan tribute bands. He answered, "Sure, I guess, but I find myself wondering why they don't write and record their own music."
"Those comparing themselves amongst themselves are not wise." The Apostle Paul
Dude I freaking needed that.. May 6th , I played what I thought - was one my best live performances so far in my life.. not that we had a big crowd, but my kit/my sound/my playing..all the stars aligned to make it a memorable gig, and I was lucky enough to get on video as well, so I could go back & critique/enjoy. Then the next band played, and I found myself self sabotaging again..
I keep having to tell myself all these things that you have outlined in this video. Im not gonna be a Benny Greb/Danny Carey/ Dave King/ Mark Guiliana.. Ive done a few things, that Im proud of in regards of albums/demos/EPs that Ive cut. Ive just never been good at the business side of things, and that has ultimately held me back ( along with humility, and down playing my acomplishments in the past). Im working on it though. Im not a super drummer, or a theory expert, or overly fast.. But I do have a voice with my instrument though. Thank you Stephen for your encouraging video!
Thank you for the video! I've been playing for almost 40 years now, and I've been guilty of comparison. At age 50, I'm pursuing the piano and pipe organ alah original jazz and classical compositions. Do I get a little intimidated listening to Oscar Peterson or some of the great works of Beethoven and Bach? Of course I do! No different than when I watch and listen to Buddy Rich, Billy Cobham, or Louie Belson. However, I'm with you on this message. It's about being better than you were a month ago, not better than someone else. If we spend our lives trying to be better than the other guy, we'll just end up emotionally wrecked. Learn from others, adjust their cool ideas to meet your still and technique, and practice being the best YOU.
We are always our own worst critic. Thank you for posting this. I have been playing drums for over 30 years and toured for many years. Even at the highest levels of my career, I still suffered from imposter syndrome because of negative thoughts and self doubt. Your point about sounding like yourself while borrowing from the masters is such an important concept. Love this channel!
Great advice for all drummers Steve, I always compliment my drummer friends, when seeing them play with their bands! Also I can honestly say I rarely compare myself to any other drummers. Imitating them yes!
While watching a Kenny Aranoff video of ahis pod casts I heard him say this and this is MY Golden Rule to drumming.....I'll never be as great as I want to be but I am willing to spend the rest of my life trying to be as great as I can be!!!!! Keep Rockin!!!!!
Thank you very much. You seem to know it, but it's so important to hear it. Especially from someone you respect.
Don’t compare yourself with someone better than you. Inspire to be as good as them. Learn from them. And One day, people will be inspire by you.
Superb vid. Thank u Stephen. Yesterday i was watching your gigging vids. The worst part and best part. I decided to become a golf pro when i was 27. I never thought to compare myself to other golfers who had been playing since they were knee grabbers. Which is most of them. Now nearing 60, drumming for 2.5 years. It took me 2.3 years to let go of t stupidity of comparing myself to other drummers. Who have been playing for decades. Im enjoying the journey way better. 🍻
Came to say that drumming for me is about my progress which is imperfect but fun nonetheless.
Stayed for the Edison Bulb!
This is what makes you. No matter what you are doing.
DO IT FOR YOU and with all of you. Your hard work and happiness is never for the taking to the little voice or very few who test it… study, practice and PLAY; no reason to make it hard on yourself.
Great message something we’ve all struggled with, just become the best version of yourself.
The last couple years I’ve only played my own stuff (solo project). Doubling down on my style. Weird stands out more often than technically sound. I don’t want to be “successful” I want to be weird and share my personal cornucopia of music.
"I don't want you to be better than a drummer. I want you to be a better drummer." - Stephen Taylor
Great quote. Seriously though, why is everyone so hard on themselves? More than likely, we'll all end up playing other peoples music to a bunch of drunks for a few bucks a night. Four on the floor, a couple of tasteful fills, maybe a stick twirl and BOOM, drunks entertained. Point is, you don't have to put a bunch of pressure on yourself to be some sort of musical savant to enjoy playing. If you don't enjoy playing, then why are you doing it? Relax and have fun where you are in your journey.
I'm sorry to say I have to block your channel. I keep getting offers for a gift I know you're not sending. Sorry Stephen.
I picked up sticks at age 38 and I’m playing in a fun cover band. When I get down on my abilities I remind myself that if I practice the songs, the audience will enjoy the music we play, and that’s a pretty good feeling. Play well friends.
Wow! Wow! I just watched a video of a guy who plays drums with one hand at the speed of light while drinking coffee....I was ready to throw my drums in a teary tantrum...and boom! This is Taylor's video. I slowly closed the window and put everything back in place, wiping away the tears of hope.
I've never had to play drums blazing fast with one hand while drinking coffee and I've been playing for a living for 25 years haha...funny the things that hit us that way. I'm exactly the same. You got this!
That's because he does that exact thing all day long. Play along to some easy tunes, and slowly build up your repertoire and chops. You've got many years to do this. Your not going to play one handed rolls anytime soon. Although, working efficiently on some of those techniques can surely loosen up your fingers. Guys like that were in Jazz Band, Marching Band, Orchestra, Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, played musicals, .... been doing it ALL of their life. The support network is HUGE if you tap into the right place.
I've been playing for many years now, and for the first bit of that I used to say all of those things. At one point, I decided to just get inspired - to step outside of my depth, and get inspired by other players. It changes everything when you can watch guys doing crazy stuff and you say to yourself "You can do THAT?!" You become inspired rather then defeated.
As much as Funk and Jazz inspire me, I accept that so long as I continue to push my capacity to play metal and hard rock - I'll never become crazy good at either. Though dabbling in them when inspired will change my voice, and I like that.
I have my name because my drumming isn’t as good as the Kew drummers, but I know they’re many many many much worse drummers than me. You southern boys can’t take a joke….take a chill pill. 😊
I wanted to play like weckl. I did. I threw my drumsticks out and just watch him play. Haha
I can only partially agree with you. Positivity is key, absolutely 100% agree there. But we gotta get real. There ARE drummers BETTER than me. It is a provable fact. I think, instead of handing out participation trophies at this point, we just need to get a little tougher and be ok with that. Be *inspired* by that. But, your overall goal, correct me if I'm wrong, is to steer away from a negative feeling about my progress as a player. That I totally understand and agree with.
Music is NOT a competition! It just isn't. Do not let subjectivity derail your art.
Excellent points, often other skilled and experienced drummers will have a skill set I lack, but conversely I have a skill set they lack. When I was gigging out 20 years ago and had to perform after seeing a drummer who really impressed me, I would try to out perform them, even trying fills and grooves I had never really practiced before, which of course doesn’t turn out well. Now I just remember to do what brought me to the dance.
There are drummers from bands I follow that absolutely blow my mind. Their playing sounds phenomenal. Yet, if I listen to these guys side by side, they basically all sound the same. The drummers that have made the biggest impression on me have been the ones who are unorthodox. They sound unlike anyone else. Learn to love YOUR playing and develop the skills and technique that enhance YOUR expression.
That's the reason why I stopped watching Matt Garska videos. He is such a beast, it discouraged me.
I've been perplexed at how good some people's playing and drums sound on youtube, then I wonder if it's been tweaked, resampled and processed to perfection. Way beyond the precision of say Iain Paice on early DP stuff. So I guess they know something I don't.
Nate Smith talked about his left hand technique and about a "bad habbit", that he developed, which actually became a part of his signature stuff with a unique feel. Doing something different (often confused with wrong) may be the best part of our playing :)
Try to play if you lose your flexibility grip and dexterity when you develop chronic arthritis, that really affects your confidence!
Mudskippers are a species of fish that can climb trees. But you're right Stephen, the moment I stopped being concerned with how I compare to others, not just in music, I became a happier person. And with that I improved as a musician.
You'll never actually get better or improve at playing the drums by comparing yourself to other drummers.
I've learned to stop comparing myself to my best friend, who is legit one of the best drummers I've ever heard, and just be myself behind the kit.
The only drummer you should strive to be better than is you from yesterday. And even with that you'll hit plateaus etc. For my own situation, ever since talking with a touring drummer I've admired, I have to keep reminding myself that my expectations for me, as a "weekend warrior" who, at this point in my life, plays "out" on set maybe a dozen times a year, absolutely cannot compare to someone who is playing drums for their job, working daily. Even now, as I share the stage with music teachers, etc, I have to remind myself of that. Good words. Yes, admire other drummers, but don't use them as a cudgel to bludgeon yourself with.
Comparison isn't all bad. Comparing & contrasting can be very useful troubleshooting problems and/or in our development. The problem is the negative self talk. I know this from many years of experience struggling with it. When I learned Neil Peart, at the height of his powers & success went to Freddy Grubber to get his traditional grip & some other things sorted out, it made me realize that even the greatest drummers had problems they needed help with.
I started playing last year at 38. It's easy to remember think that I'm nowhere near the level of many other drummers at my age. Hell, im nowhere near the level as some 6-year olds.
But then I remember I'm not playing to impress anyone, I'm not trying to be the next Neil Peart. I can't play anything more complicated than "What I've Done" by Linkin Park at this point, but that's ok. I'm having fun. I'll get better eventually.
I'm 55, started drumming less than a year ago, don't have access to lessons, due to work can only practice 2 weeks in 6, don't consider myself any good at all. That doesn't matter to me. I learnt to read drum notation, do practice drills every time I can play then play along to some different songs I like to finish off. Slowly I'm able to play higher levels and I have fun. To me that's most important - I have fun. The only thing I compare is how I'm playing now to how I played 6 months ago. Regardless how good you think you are just have fun.
There are a lot of popular influencer drummers on Instagram who are insanely talented but give a false impression to new players that THIS is what they must achieve in order to be a good drummer. You don't have to play 300bpm blast beats while juggling sticks at the same time to be a great drummer. I say ignore all of that and find YOUR style.
One way you will become a better player is to play with musicians. Learn the songs the best you can and Jam with people, then the ultimate test is playing live ! When preparing meets opportunity... that’s when all your work will show or not !! Don’t be discouraged if it isn’t the best you can do. Learn from it move on but if it works well , don’t get cocky , keep pushing you can always improve
Well said. With all the chop-masters (who you've never heard of) strutting their stuff on RUclips, it is easy to start to question your abilities. That being said, as someone who considers themselves more of a "song drummer", no matter how amazing all these players are, I have my own feel and texture that can really shine on tracks, if I hit my spots. That's what it's all about. Chops are great, and often essential, but music is what matters most, and what comes first.
I started with 40. House, kids and 40h-work allow me 20 to 30 minutes at the drums per day. So my progress is very limited. But it is there.
Still so hard not to compare myself to someone way younger who started as a kid...
💪😃👍 Original Creativity is what makes each one of us unique!! And is something that can only come from our minds!!
I wish I would of heard this advice in the early 2000s. I use to think not comparing and being jealous was a recipe for false confidence and failure to grow and get better. I compared so much that I felt people would see through my playing if I was confident. Everyone has met that person who sucked so bad but held on to confidence about their playing and was looked at as a crazy joke. I never would allow myself to be that person. It’s super complicated. It was the reason I gave up drums after 20 years of playing. Judging peers get into your head. Your too 1980’s, not enough double bass, hit too soft or loud, members in your band have long hair in a NU metal environment, and the list goes on. Musicians are the most judge mental people