Remembering why you are a drummer

It’s all too easy to get bogged down in music theory and lesson material when you’re doing your grades. 

And when you’ve managed to somehow successfully make it through one grade, you start work on the next one only to find it all gets even harder, more complex and in time signatures you never knew were possible.

At times you wonder how you’re ever going to fit all this new information in your head, and when your limbs will be able to naturally jump into action to play these complex rhythms without having to “think about it” for ten minutes.

​​Every drummer has their own way of learning.

Some like to be very rigid with their practice sessions, some are determine to play the same rudiment over and over for an hour until it becomes muscle memory, and others find short bursts of multiple exercises work best.

Whatever way you prefer, I’m sure you’ve had a moment here are there where you’ve hit a wall and felt like you’ll never be able to play the piece of music sitting in front of you well enough to pass your grade.

​I’ve had it plenty of times, and I’ve come to accept that I probably always will. But I’ve recently found that the best way I can help myself get past that barrier is to take a little time out to just have fun.

You’re playing the drums because you want to. 

You decided to have lessons because you enjoy playing the instrument – that's what I remind myself of. 

There are many moments I can think back to where I sat down at a kit and just had an amazing time playing. But sometimes, when you’re too focused on learning, you forget to spend time just enjoying the act of drumming.

It sounds incredibly obvious, but in between work, home life and your lessons, it can sometimes be far too easy to slip into the habit of only finding time for drumming when you’re practicing for your grades or your next lesson.

Personally, I stick on a couple of my favourite tracks from when I first started playing the drums and pretend I’m 17 again!

Laura Barnes
Editor at MI Pro, online platform dedicated to the music industry 
Planet drum student