Finding time to write
creative and intelligent drum parts can be a challenge. There is always an
inspiration but does it depend on the ability of the individual, who is fluid
and comfortable playing alone or the other who needs stimulus from other musicians?
Is this also down to the
style of music we play, how we identify
with our chosen instrument and the way music influences us in our lives?
Finding inspiration can
be a challenge too, depending on external pressures, work, relationships, finance,
peer's and mental health; all can enhance as well debilitate one's own pursuit
of the perfect groove. This of course doesn't even involve the environmental
logistics and problematic storage and build of drums and their sound, a complex
and sometimes more ridiculous "put off" to playing at all.
When writing a song, some would argue that extending
a complimentary arrangement of beats and
rhythms is merely enough, unless of course you can write music and play other instruments
too, never the less there are many who don't play other instruments but can
write out and follow drum notation yet struggle with arranging a complete song.
I have struggled for years under this category, having ideas and formula's but
no real way of effectively directing these plans to a guitarist or other
members of a band. I have been lucky on the other hand to have musicians who
know my style, interest's, ability and thought process who have worked with me
for years, therefore the frustrations over time have been less.
I'm not going to lie, I have been guilty of being lazy. I have not
bothered in the past to want to learn even the basics of guitar, it's totally
alien to me so I'll never get it, even after years of attention it will never be good enough to
write with. However with a keyboard these ideas suddenly become more tangible.
I never had any music lessons or music software till pretty recently but now that I do I
have found a way to capture the essence of my thoughts and better express my musical voice.
Even after having these aids available I must admit
that my nature is more of a jam drummer. I have a greater ability and enjoyment
playing live in a room with other musicians that sat at a computer. Does this
equate to the genre of music in question? I'm not a Dub step artist, I'm a rock
and metal drummer, so the need to play live is higher surely than the a fore
mentioned.
Still, at the same time there is the old question
that there are too many song writers not enough players! I have had the
experience of both bad and extreme highs
of each scenario and its probably more individual to each circumstance. Every
band finds its own groove and way of doing things, being at the back of the room, metaphorically speaking - like the
goalkeeper analogy, we can see and usually hear the whole package; for good and
the bad!
Perhaps there are too many bands, musicians, singers,
artists etc who think that they know best and that they can write anything and
it will be successful! After all, the media does tell us we can do it, make some
money, have some fame and enjoy the good life for some small years even without
talent. It's not like I'm that old either, I can appreciate a world without
downloads, Facebook, You Tube and endless media platforms offering all these
"golden" promises to still remember that it was about gigging, doing
the donkey work and being social: Without the internet.
I might be bitter and slightly nostalgic but being a
drummer over the years has changed little really. I still firmly believe that
playing live, writing music with friends and meeting new people is the best
feeling in the world. It's not intended to be a lonely pursuit, it's part of
the sum.
I love playing and I have not even begun to start
learning. I'm always thinking and trying new things, being around others,
listening to other people and developing my ear at the same time as my composure.
Inspiration is all around us, I write down my
thoughts, talk a lot! I breath off others, read, watch and take in as much as I
can. I am not a naturally optimistic person, in fact I'm sort of proud of my
Tragic Melancholic label.
There are too chief's and not enough Indians
sometimes. Less can be more! My conclusion is that we need to talk more, using
an online community and friendship is healthy with that being matched outside
the virtual world.
Writing a song is one of the most challenging but
rewarding experiences I have ever had.
Get out there and do it!
