[pantera]

Actually the Jam CD has made me think along certain new lines, which is what I was hoping for. While deconstructing these lastest songs to prepare for this weekend's jam I'm more conscious of things that I do that create certain sounds or volume. So the CD has had it's intended effect; to improve my drumming and allow me to 'see' where I could do things differently, or in some cases to just maintain a solid groove without messing up the song.

On some tracks I can remember thinking I HAD to add fills in, but after listening to them a few times it's plainly obvious that I messed with the guitar/vocals, I disturbed what should have been 'their moments' with my crashing cymbals or toms.

It made me understand that I should approach my drumming as if I'm in a huge band or orchestra. There are parts were an accent, like a harder snare hit, or crash cymbal hit, are appropriate. And other times I just need to keep the beat going, maybe for a long time, because there's more happening up front with the guitar and vocals that anything I do, besides holding that groove, will spoil their parts.

And for our later, made up jam songs, the guitarist added certain passages that required an 'atmosphere', such as anticipating a bigger part coming up so I'd work 2 cymbals at once, fire the bass drum harder, or he'd quiet right down so I'd bring the volume down with him, and then we'd build up again.

This is all facinating stuff for me, having listened to songs for years, and finally 'getting it' for my part on the drums.