Gumby’s Blog Entry – Drumming and beyond

Drumming and beyond
Somehow there never seems to be a perfect ingredient when it comes to performing. You either have sound or then instrument blues. I always say to hell with technology. Make the most of what you have. So here are a few ingredients which when combined, should enhance your performance on and off stage.

Ingredient 1
You need to know what your instrument can really do, then try playing something simple, or maybe playing along with your favourite song. Keep your ears open to nuances and accents. It’s actually those things that separate amateurs from the pros. It’s important to let loose. I strongly recommend a time keeping machine – a metronome is a musicians’ best friend who wants to tame you into playing in time and that automatically upgrades you from the eager beaver to the calm and composed musician.

Ingredient 2

It’s very important to be comfortable while playing. You don’t want to damage your wrist or develop some complication in your muscle. Your grip on the sticks is crucial, most drummers don’t realize that, but their flow in playing depends on that. So, always hold the stick from the fulcrum. Have the grip where the stick is balanced perfectly. As for your seating, if you sit slightly higher from your kit, you’re upper body is dominant. If you sit lower, it’s your feet that are the strong point.

Drums 1

Ingredient 3
You gotta be the groove king. Not having groove is like having food without salt. I would strongly recommend drummers like Matt Chamberlain, Jeff Porcaro, Dennis Chambers and Simon Phillips; available on Youtube After hearing them you will notice the simplicity yet sophistication and maturity. The contribution of a percussionist is basically a heart beat, slightly faster or slower. Everyone gets a chance to shine though on and off stage, so when that time does come, you’re ready to take over the world. Oh, if you’re wondering what groove is, I can’t explain that. It’s something you feel.

Ingredient 4
Most of us musicians in Pakistan have problems that we never seem to get past. Yet by nature we tend to be quite an understanding and forgiving nation. Despite sound engineers messing up constantly over the past two decades, we still hire them and continue to go around in circles. Though I’ve figured a way around this – I insist on having my band mates buy amplification for their instruments. Playing off of each other on stage is the best thing you can do for yourself and your band. It not only gives you that energy on stage but also fixes your monitoring blues to quite an extent. Most modern day musicians prefer going direct into the board and that’s where you’re letting someone else take control of your tone and volume. Remember, the PA system is there to enhance your sound not change it or worsen it the extent that it effects your creativity and mood.

Ingredient 5
This ingredient is something that most musicians haven’t completely figured out. This is the feeling of anxiety before going on stage. Is it the monitoring on stage that I’m worried about? Sometimes it’s probably the expectation of the not so forgiving audience. Though I feel in most situations the audience is there to be entertained and feel pure and genuine vibes off the music. Remember, if you’re not having fun on stage don’t expect the audience to have a thumping time. Though I have asked fellow musicians about this whole “nervous” feeling and it seems to exist for everyone. It’s actually a good thing guys. It shows that one has a conscience that he or she has to put on a great show and that he/she is not just solely doing it for the heck of it.

Overall, I have to admit that it can get quite boring when practicing alone, especially drums. Here’s where one’s imagination should come into play. Once you start imagining you’re sound and style that you want to achieve you subconsciously end up working on it and achieving it. Remember; don’t shy away from experimenting with your instrument. Who knows, you might just surprise people one day. Music is a wonderful thing one can experience, whether it’s aspiring to be a professional or just as a hobbyist it always brings out the best in you.

Source: Louis ‘Gumby’ Pinto | Blog