The 7 Reasons Why I Blog About Drumming
It's good to drum. Photo: neate photos
A friends of mine is thinking about starting his own blog and it got me thinking about the reasons why I blog. So after a bit of reflection, here are my top 7 reasons why I blog about drumming.
I love drumming
I've been playing for 13 years now and I love it now more than ever. It's what I do, it's who I am. I love the excitement of nailing a new groove; the way my sticks bounce on a pad; that it makes me stand out from other people. I'm more excited about it now than I ever have been!
To help you out
I know what it's like when you first start out drumming; or when you've been playing for a while and you're not getting anywhere; or when you're happy with your drumming but you're still hungry for more! I had a few great people help me out along the way so I like to give the same back to you in return.
To make new friends
I like meeting new people especially drummers and other musicians. With my blog I get to connect with cool people like you from all over the world. People who I wouldn't have met otherwise.
I think/talk/do drumming all the time
All the things I write about are either things that I've learned or things that pop into my head. Since I'm having all these thoughts anyway, I may as well write them down! When I'm writing an article I feel like there's nothing else that I would rather be doing (except maybe drumming).
To learn new things
I like being able to connect with people who know more about drumming than I do and who see things in a different way. Every time I put out an article, I look forward to reading your comments and finding out what your thoughts and opinions are about what I'm talking about.
To be a part of things
I remember the first gig I went to: Green day at Glasgow Barrowlands 1998, I was 15. I remember looking up at my heroes on stage and thinking that I'd much rather be up there doing what they're doing rather than being down here watching them and getting thrown about. My blog helps me part of "what drumming is" rather than just "watching what drumming is."
Change the world
People look at me funny when I say this. A lot of people work jobs they don't like for people they dont like for money they dont like. Drumming helps me avoid that trap. Helping even a few other people do they same will change a small corner of the world forever.
So there you go thats why I blog about drumming. If you ask me why I play the drums I'd probably give you 7 very similar answers!
Alex
What about you? Why do you drum? What do you want to get out of what you're doing? Leave your thoughts, opinions and wisdom below
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January 27th, 2010 - 12:37
I drum:
- to escape reality (i.e. “active meditation”)
- to learn
- to create
Nothing clears my mind faster than lowering the lights in my practice room, sitting down w/ an mp3 player and ripping out some tunes as loud as I want.
If I really want to escape reality, I’ll work through some method books. I get myself into a zone where hours will pass working on a 4 bar phrase and it will feel like a few minutes… (Ed Soph’s Essential Techniques for drumset Vol. 1 & 2 are currently breaking my mind). While it can get frustrating trying to keep 8 different subdivisions in time across 4 limbs, hearing it come together even for a single measure is the most satisfying thing in the world! (something I may or may not get at the day job)
Finally I drum because I love taking the skills I have acquired through study and applying them in a real life setting… (CREATION!) I teach rudimental percussion (marching band/indoor drumline) and it is awesome to be able to hear something in my head and a few weeks later have it played back to me by my students exactly as I imagined it would sound (sometimes even better
Great post!
eP
January 28th, 2010 - 06:32
Eric,
Wow these are some great reasons to drum! It’s cool to think that something that starts off on such a personal level can end up breaking out into the real world
Alex
July 20th, 2010 - 10:23
Hi !
I drum to:
groove to the music
and to release inhibitions.
I loved your “Change the World” reason. I am one of those people stuck in a corporate world…for now. I have started drumming now that i’m in my 50s…and i LOVE IT. I am somewhat intimidated by it still…as I am older (LOL) and a woman and don’t have many female role models (older). I am organizing a concert for female drummers here in our state and am finding it very exhilarating to connect with other drummers. Keep it up !!!
July 23rd, 2010 - 09:38
Mary,
Bravo for organising the concert. If there are no role models near you then organise something to make them come to you. A genius idea. Reminds me of a quote from a movie “If you build it, they will come.” Field of dreams I think.
You may be stuck somewhere you don’t want to be and feeling intimidated at the moment but, with perseverance, things change, brick by boring brick.
Alexander
July 24th, 2010 - 10:33
Hey Alexander,
Thanks for the encouragement ! I sometimes forget everything is done in babysteps !