This is a piece that I wrote a while back , was going to be published but somehow never made it.
Drumming and Rhythm is everywhere , in every living thing ,in the elements, in the sky, in the earth
and in our hearts.
Wether it be the splashing of the waves against rocks, the gentle sound of the leaves blowing in the wind,the patter of rain drops splashing against the ground or simply the sound of our own heart beat.
Every splash is different as is every rain drop. every heart beat different, every Rhythm different.
A Gorilla beating his chest is a beat of warning, as is a Rabbit thumping the ground.
The tiny flapping wings of the smallest Butterfly, all Rhythmic all percussive.
As Drummers we can take inspiration from everywhere ,
So why do we all feel the need to copy, ?? We don't all walk the same, we don't all run the same ..
Who is the greatest runner , Usain Bolt or Paula Radcliffe ??
Usain is undoubtably faster, but Paula can go for a greater distance .. Both great and both different.
If two drummers both play the same beat, why do they differ ?? , because we are all different.
You wouldn't dream of copying someone else's walk as they meandered down the street , so why feel the need to copy someone else's Drumming ??
Your whole life has been a journey of different experiences that lead you to where you are and who you are now, by all means be influenced and listen to the greats,as even a bad player can show you how not to play,
but from time to time , concentrate on being the best you, because you are the best you !! There has already been a Steve Gadd, Buddy Rich etc etc etc , but there has never been another you..
No one has lived your life, no one has experienced what you have, so no one can play the Drums like you !!!
Play those experiences, live the music that you play., not how you think someone else would play it, play it as you would play it.
The great Jeff Porcaro , reputedly used to phone other "studio guys' while in a session, who he thought would do a better job than him on a certain track, not because they were deemed as better , just different and
more suited to that particular style, mind you this from a man who said that he couldn't play shuffles !!!!
Why would a great producer like Quincy Jones , get different Drummers in for different tracks, why do Steely dan do a lot of takes with a variety of Drummers ??
Everyone brings his/her experiences of life and Rhytmn to that particular track.
Also next time you log onto you tube, watch Buddy Rich and Steve Gadd, both masters of the art, but Buddy is virtually motionless, just arms and wrists, whereby Steve can be quite animated.. again different, but
you can tell either player instantly .
Listen to all of the Rhythm around you, within the wind and the rain , take your inspiration and experiences from all of lifes rich sources.
Keith Moon always said that he was "The best Keith Moon type Drummer, that there was"
So be yourself and remember .no one can sound like you, be like you or play like you.,you are without any shadow of doubt , the best you there is..
Make sure you stay that way..
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."
Henry David Thoreau