Playing Drums With Other Musicians

Playing Drums With Other Musicians

by Daniel N. Brown

I remember when I first started playing the drums back in
1976. I was just ten years old, and the thought of being an
awesome drummer in a band just consumed me.
I remember dreaming about playing drums in front of
hundreds, or even thousands of people someday. But, I
really never considered how difficult it would be to finally
get to that point.

Now, after thirty years of drumming, and playing with
dozens of different musicians with various personalities,
I can clearly see why most drummers and other musicians
cannot play together for very long.

The three biggest reasons are... personality conflicts, ego,
and just life in general.

Some people may think personality conflicts occur all
because of ego. Even though sometimes that is true,
personality conflicts can result from simply just not liking
another person for whatever reasons.

As far as ego is concerned, there is nothing wrong with
a good healthy ego. It's when that ego gets distorted and
someone begins to thinks he or she is something they're
really not. That is when it gets ugly.

I remember playing drums in a band back in 1985. The
lead guitarist was so arrogant no one could hardly stand
him. He was definitely a great guitarist, the only problem
was, he knew it (if you know what I mean).

There is simply one way to get along with someone with a
totally distorted view of themselves, and that is to let them
continue to think the way they want to think... if you can.

A person with an overinflated ego is so sickening that
most humble people cannot bear it for long. And one
person with an ego problem usually cannot work with
another person with an ego problem because then it
becomes a battle of the wills. That's one of the biggest
reasons bands break up.

Anything with more than one head is a freak and
will not function properly unless everyone involved
willingly agrees on any particular topic.

Another reason why drummers and other musicians
cannot play together for very long is because of the
things "life" throws in the way.

People get married, people change jobs and move
away, people have babies, people get sick, and the
list is endless.

The only thing that controls your future as a drummer
is you. Will you decide to have a likeable personality?
Will you keep your ego in check? Will you keep a good
attitude and stay focused when "life" throws it's firey
darts at you? It's all up to you.