[Tainojim]

I've been playing for 50 years,guess that I'm not such a good solo player. But the n again, I played with other bands and didn't have to show how combined rudiments worked as long a improvisation mixed with what ever the rest of the band was playing and it just fit right in.

Don't let these drummer solos intimidate you style.
In my 50 years of drumming, solos are not frequently done.
It's a matter of fitting in with the band. And if it sounds good, it's good team work.

So what's the use of only being a drum solo, if it doesn't fit with the group.

Orchestrating works the same way and those are the ones who make it.

[slingerland59]

Awesome thread! It's very hard not to feel frustrated. I like the comments about how we can learn from others and it's way better to approach drumming as if it's a brotherhood/sisterhood of all drummers rather than a competition. So if that means complimenting the drummers you see and asking them about the riffs they're playing rather than quietly crawling out of the store feeling crappy, then go for it. Make them feel good and make a friend at the same time.

What I've done lately to build my confidence is to play folk rock records. The drumming technique is simple but it's all about groove and feel. It reminds me that there's a place for every drummer of every skill level. There are great songwriters out there who need smart drummers to make their songs better.

And I remember a lesson I had from a tympanist. He had me practice hitting one tympani with very slow, deliberate single beats for at least a half hour until I could pull out a decent tone from the drum to make my bowels rumble. That's what I look for iin good drummers -- someone who can make the drums sing.

[Tainojim]

I'll give you a good example. I was in a band for many years and for some reason, the lead and the bass got into an argument. The were brothers so I kept out of it.
I didn't know about this till I showed up for practice one day and there was a new bassist. I didn't care, I just wanted to play.

Every couple of minutes the lead player would stop and tell the bassist "no it's like this. This kept going on for few hours. Since I had to work everyday, when I showed up for practice, guess what, no bass guitarist.
The lead player told me that the bass player sucked.
Two years passed by, when I was watching TV, and I saw the Bassist in the back ground playing for Patty La belle. I just sat there and laughed my ass off at the lead guitarist. The bassist could play good soul riffs, but the lead wanted rock.

The moral to the story is, keep an open mind to what you hear. Stop comparing yourself with other drummers and just be yourself.

Who knows, someday you might end up playing larger than you think.

[butter]

the only reason anyone so young is so good is because they practice like crazy. i learn a song like every day, i dont know how much time you have on your hands, but spend every spare second drumming if you want to get that good. listen to songs and try to figure out the beat. my uncle gets jealous of how good i am, im better than him and hes been playing for 12 years, ive only been playing for 2. i tell him, its because im more passionate about it than he is, so i am better.

pretty much, practice makes perfect.

[Tainojim]

I'm a self taught drummer. According to you user CP, you stated that your 14. I guess tthat make you a prodigy drummer. If your that good, great. But have you seen Tony Royster jr. or Jacob Armen, Dylan Elise on YouTube? Check them out, and if your that good then you desreve to be sponsored by some drum company that gives you all the drums you can handle.
Here are the links:

Tony Royster Jr. Drumsolo:

YouTube - Tony Royster Jr. Drumsolo

Jacob Armen drum solo, seven years old!!

YouTube - Jacob Armen drum solo, seven years old!!

Dylan Elise
Amazing Drum Solo

YouTube - Amazing Drum Solo

Now if your that good, then look for some sponsorship from all the drum companies that you can think of.
Happy Drumming and good luck. You'll get everything drum for free.
They will even send you to the NAMM drumming conventions for competition.

Also check out George's drum shop, email them, and send videos of yourself doing some solos.
Most importantly, make your education a priority.
I would like to see some of your drumming styles, I believe that I'm never too old to learn from the x-generation.

[oldschool]

I agree with all of the above,my studio and stage kits each serve their own purpose and are quite large so to speak but i've seen some awesome kit's on thumbnail's here that really impressed me. But my kit at home is a vintage trap by slingerland and with this i keep a very open mind on my abilities to construct new idea's for recording. But always remember that no matter how good you feel you are there is always going to be someone better then you out there young or old,and you are you're own worst critic. Don't bring yourself down friend, Oldschool

[butter]

well tainojim i think i may have put across that im a little better than i actually am, i am good but like i said the way i worded that post sounded exaggerated. im not going to pretend that im as good as the people in the videos you posted but i think i do have the potential to be that good ill post some videos of myself sometime and then you can see what skill i actually have, instead of what skill i communicate that i have

[slingerland59]

Your confidence and positive outlook are awesome butter. I'll bet the member who started this thread will be inspired by you. I am.
Drumming is not a f***ing competition. It's a brotherhood/sisterhood.