who deserves credit for your initial start to playing?

oldschool · #1 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 02:28 AM

For me it was a good friend that trusted leaving his drums in my care that got me interested,but it was really the tragic and untimely death of my younger brother in 1980 from an auto accident at age 19 that left me with a very big decision to make,sell his drums or keep them and learn to play. After looking at those arctic white 7pc. slingerlands for 2yrs. still setup the way he left them i decided to start playing. So here i am 30yrs. later and self taught still hammering away on those now vintage slingerlands and 2CD's to my credit not to mention having been able to work with some of rock's legendary bands and musicians,i have made alot of true friends in the business and hope anyone reading this has the same opportunities i've had, and i won't ever regret taking up drums in my brother's honor. I'm sure i've made him very proud that i pursued the dream he so lived for. (R.I.P. BRO) I miss you !

bigstix · #2 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 07:13 AM

For me, an old friend, "Gags". He was about two years older than me and his dad bought a Boston drum kit for him following the death of his mother. "Gags" let me "have a go" and that was that. Hearing John Bonham inspired me to get fair dinkum (get real) about playing. That was 1973.

tmpieee · #3 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 09:17 AM

Mine was a mate named Matthew who showed me his kit when i was younger, he sat down and played a killer fast thrash song from an artist from macedonia where im from and i was hooked and inspired to buy my own kit and learn about 4 months later i bought my kit which is a tama swingstar like his and ive been playing every since, its been about 2 years now

Church Drummer · #4 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 08:14 PM

Old school thanks for sharing your story, I'm sure your brother is very proud of what you've done.

For me I owe my drum playing to two people. The drummer in our church band who moved to Florida, which prompted me as one of two guitarists to learn drums to replace him. The second person would be one of my best buds, and the drummer from my army reserve band (from which I'm now retired) who gave me pointers, and helped me learn.

**Tainojim** · #5 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 12:28 AM

Since I was a kid, my mother took me to church every Sunday. Besides her being a Sunday School teacher, I remember her always complaining how loud the drums were.

Revenge was sweet.

Even though the neighbors kept leaving little notes, like, "Your son plats very well but if he would just keep it down a little.

I was considerate and respectful with the neighbors.

So it was the annoyance on my mothers part, but I loved the sounds of the drums even though he couldn't play nothing else but the same old beat, over and over again.

So It's the church that got me started, even though I'm believe in my old traditional Great Grand Mother's belief. CEMI (ZEMI)

**Tainojim** · #6 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tainojim

Since I was a kid, my mother took me to church every Sunday. Besides her being a Sunday School teacher, I remember her always complaining how loud the drums were.

Revenge was sweet.

Even though the neighbors kept leaving little notes, like, "Your son plays very well but if he would just keep it down a little.

Some people worked different shifts and I considered that.

I was considerate and respectful with the neighbors.

So it was the annoyance on my mothers part, but I loved the sounds of the drums even though he couldn't play nothing else but the same old beat, over and over again.

So It's the church's drummer that got me started, even though I believe in my old traditional Great Grand Mother's belief. CEMI (pronounced - ZEMI)

It's only about tens of thousands of years B.C.

Thumpthdrum · #7 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 10:52 PM

I was first inspired by a drummer with a group that visited the grade school that I attended ( I never knew his name ). I'm sure that he isn't aware of the impact that he made. I have always loved the drums, from the drum kit to the Thunder of the marching drums. I really love the drums when someone can rock the world and then on the next song have the ability of the most minute, dynamic articulation that really compliments the song. I also grew up in a neighborhood where a kid in every other house played an instrument, I was the only drummer in the neighborhood.

don11817 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 08:14 PM

I was drawn across the street to see what the older guy (he must have been in his late 60's at the time) was doing. I thought he was playing a bass guitar and always wanted to learn. Turns out he had a little music studio with a Hammond Organ, a Rhodes Bass, some Vintage Rogers drums and some other gear. He had been a big-band and jazz drummer for over 50 years, having learned from his father. He invited me in and showed me what he was up to. He asked if I like drums and told me to sit behind his kit. I was hooked. He LENT me his vintage LUDWIG 4-piece kit, Speed King pedal with strap drive, and 50's era Zildjian hi hat, ride and crash cymbals for about 6 months until I could get my own kit.

During that time, he gave me rudimentary lessons and helped me to progress until I got involved in a garage band and then he just listened from across the street

Thanks George for the inspiration-- will miss you greatly...

butter · #9 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 10:47 PM

i think i am to credit for my starting the drums. i have alot of influences and inspirations, sure. i started playing in band at school in sixth grade... wow i was bad :P but after about a year i got bored with just hitting one, boring, old snare drum. so i bought a set and started playing. im pretty much self taught, and nobody really made me start playing but me, so i guess i am to credit haha.