[meany-the-destroyer]

Hi drumming gods , im new to this so will start with an easy one.. im 35 been playing since i was 10 , my dad is a drummer uncle a rock drummer and grnda big band drummer all 3 are old school and although my music teacher at school gave me a book with a 4/4 pattern to learn before he would let me behind the drums i took it home nd learned the pattern on my knees with my hands, he let me behind the drums and played let it be along with me which was at the age of 10 an unbelievable rush , he let me practice mornings break times and evenings untill i joined the school big band then thts how i got into it. Neither of my family members taught me anything which i was really gutted bout (i think my a key is strting to break) so apart from all the help i got from books and influences on record i never had anyone show me until i was 16 and my welding instructor was a huge gene krupa fan and went about teaching me the rudiments on a welding bench with welding rods he even bought me a pad and stool to take home and rehearse and he is the legend that i thank for getting me on the right track , i find myself sometime envious of some of the younger dudes who have stemmed from lessons that are so talented nd can roll like mother fo,s but just dont have any feeling in their playing , sure they can talk about all the 8 stroke rolls they can do but their grooves have no life thier fills are amazing but their playing does not bring any dynamics to the tunes they are playing and thus causing people to switch off bored!! come on guys get some feeling in your playing listen to some zeppelin listen to some hendrix and listen to some deep purple check the song burn out !! ian paice took a jazz style and incorperated it into his rock playing and the result is phenomenal !!! also check out anything by william calhoun (living colour) not always busy isnt bland dudes !!!!

[HBdrummer1]

I agree 100%, the envy over the young "student" drummers as well as the lack of creativity by many. I am 51 and started when I was 8, I had a quite an absence due to injury but am still playing. I have NEVER had a lesson, I learned by trial & error (emphasis on error) and am still learning. I was always proud of myself for learning everything on my own. I now have an 11 year old step son who I will be teaching the "old school" ways to on a set I bought him for Xmas. I'm debating on whether or not to add a few lessons as I don't know if I have enough patience but my encouragement to him will always be to think outside the box and be creative... not just follow what's been taught, that's where greatness comes from. Thats where music comes to life!!!!!! You can never stress the term "be creative" enough to any musician.

Too bad the drummers in your family didn't make an effort... imagine where you'd be now if they had started teaching you at age 3 or 4...

Anyway, welcome to the group... This seems to be where most "creative" drummers end up.