A Drummer I Am

I don't want there to be any confusion about this.

I was in a drumming forum, when people started to critique my website. Some of it was constructive criticism and I jumped on those changes right away. But one critique was different. For some reason, he was distraught by the mention that I play other instruments. He asked the question:

"How can you sell yourself as a drummer, when you're mentioning other instruments that you play?"

Obviously, he didn't study music in college. I know that sounds uppity. It's not meant to be. In all fairness, I do not have a degree in music.

As a Percussion Arts student at Ball State University, it wasn't all about beating the drum. We had to go through Music Theory and ear training. We had to play the marimba, piano and string bass. We had to learn how to read and write music in the F clef (bass), the G clef (treble), and all five of the C clefs.I took it a step further and ventured into guitar and vocals. I also play trumpet, but only on a functional level. I'm no Doc Severinson on the horn.

Today, I utilize these talents for songwriting, as well as filling in for gigs.

But make NO mistake. I am a drummer, first and foremost. I will always drum!

I have no interest in being the lead guitarist of a band. I'm not front man material. I will play guitar, bass or keys for pay. But it's not my true passion.

My TRUE passion is drumming!

So, why mention these other instruments on my site?

For one, I'm proud of my work, most recently with Noodle Muffin. I started out as their drummer and was ultimately requested to enter the studio to play a variety of instruments. They knew my musical talents and decided to run with it. This is a VERY unique opportunity, and I am glad to have it.

Also, if someone has a talent, why not mention it? I use my site to sell myself as a drummer, but it's also about music, creativity, and my essence. In other words, I'm a well-rounded musician, and I will say it. Nobody else will toot my horn, so to speak.

I write songs, soundtracks and jingles. But I LOVE drumming!

I read an old article where this magazine was interviewing Dave Mustaine. Inevitably, the conversation went to talk about their former drummer, Nick Menza. In the midst of talk about drug problems and lying about cancer, Mustaine says this of Menza and his replacement, Jimmy DeGrasso:

" I think Jimmy is a better drummer than Nick is because Jimmy was willing to really play his ass off. Nick in the beginning was like that but towards the end he wanted to be a frontman. He had a band that he played guitar and sang with and he writes music and sings and plays guitar and, you know, he wasn't interested in playing drums, he wanted to be a frontman. Jimmy is not. Jimmy's a fuckin' drummer and he is a great drummer." (SOURCE)

Some drummers cross this line. Obviously, Menza did, and Mustaine didn't like it. This is an excellent example of what happens when a musician finds success with a project. They start to think that they can be successful independently of the project. It doesn't work that way. Ask any member of Slipknot who has formed their own side project. They went nowhere fast. There are exceptions, but they only prove the rule. Right, Phil Collins?

When I enter a band as a drummer, I have defined my role in that project. Sure, Noodle Muffin is the exception, but that is because they asked. I will never ask.

Of all my instruments, drums were in my blood first. As I enter my 40th year drumming, I look back with fondness, and look forward with great anticipation and expectations. The drums are NOT a gateway into something bigger and better, for there is nothing bigger or better to me (or for me) than being the best drummer I can be. Even if I find success in jingles, songwriting for other bands, or playing bass with a cover band, drumming will still be my ultimate passion.

A drummer I am, and a drummer I shall always be. This is not a bad thing.