“First world crappy.” Excellent perspective there, Nate. Also, I had a very crappy session on the kit the other night. Definitely a “consciously incompetent” evening. It will pass.
Eric Moore was at Berklee the same time that I was. Guess what? He already sounded like Eric Moore. Since then, his thing has only gotten deeper and more amazing. He has always played his vibe in his style. Being around him, and other great players of our generation on many instruments and styles, has taught me that two three things matter greatly that separate the greats from the very good: 1) knowledge of self 2) fucking crazy dedication 3) musical sincerity Dana Hawkins was around Boston at the same time. Unlike Eric, he didn't show up as completely realized from a technical perspective . However, he knew what he wanted to sound like, and put in crazy work. In about a year from the time I first heard him he became a total monster. Knowing What you like and dedicating yourself to that pursuit fully seems to be a big part of the secret, not unlike The Secret, or any of the other new age self help books out there promoting this kind of thinking and action. Thanks for the video and reminder.
Thinking a drummer like Brian Blade gets all his miles on the conviction of what he plays and the conviction of the music he's playing. You know he believes in every note he's playing. There's not an ounce of sending a message to the drummers in the audience. No ego. Just him and the musicians on the stage. I'm very envious of that perspective. He plays beautiful music.
Practice is one thing, playing alone is what it is. Everyone has crappy sessions. I was thinking the other day how organic my current group of friends and I are. It's organic in the sense that if we tried to play certain things it doesn't always work. What I'm finding is that we GET TO PLACES and sounds based on doing other things. So we try to play certain things and the style of what we're trying to do LEADS us to play songs we all know and find ourselves actually doing something we didn't set out to do. This is why and how we play first time tried songs that end up being the best versions of those songs anyone could hope to do. It's because we were there already doing it and recognize that it's there organically. When we then try it again on some other day it doesn't come close to how well we did it first time! It's like hey we're playing this song! And we rip off the first try as if we wrote it, it's pretty amazing! Hell even the best can be boring all by themselves! Get together with your friends!
Why not going on a small vacation fi walking in the nature? Or do something for your neighbour, a friend. You’ll be amazed how that helps to refresh your playing. And don’t compare with others.
Thanks a lot for this video. I am a guitarist primarily and I definitely hear "the voice", you speak of. I found this very helpful and reassuring, it's always good to hear players who are obviously very accomplished, speaking about their own insecurity and how to move on. I enjoy your teaching style and I think it's courageous of you to admit you feel arrogant sometimes. If you are in the position of "expert", and you have a crisis of confidence, it not only undermines how you feel about your playing but also your confidence in your ability to help others with theirs. I appreciate all the work you put in to this channel and I value your musicianship and humility.
So glad to hear someone talking about this! I've always struggled with this, and is dependent entirely on daily fluctuation of mood and energy levels. We get in our own way. Thanks bud.
Thanks for another great lesson Nate! Good to know that this is an issue for so many of us-it would be interesting to know if even the drummers we revere have these same issues/voices in their heads.
Reminds me of a Giuliana interview I saw a while ago. He was asked about how he came to have such a unique style. He said during practice sessions, if he played something that he thought sounded like somebody else, he would stop and start playing something different. I really do think that’s essential in defining our own identities as drummers.
Elvin Jones said that searching a style should be our least concern. I agree. If you have a strong musical personnality, it will emerge. Great musicians have a vision, and they simply develop the technical abilities to realize it, in composition or in playing. But stopping something because that could sound like somebody else ? Seems a dubious motivation. That's more pretentiousness than art.
@@ofdrumsandchords well said, it's nearly impossible to not play like someone else especially when it comes to the drums, due to this little thing some people refer to as MUSIC THEORY. Drummers should focus most on their timing and technique, and the appropriate style and chops for playing the genres they want to play.
@@markhynes5160 I don't have much timing problems and I'm too old to bother about technique. You talk about music theory, a lot of drummers should learn about it ! I'm always astonished to see how many don't know what's a minor chord, but yet study Weckl's fills. I steal a lot of things (I love Shorter's language, and Metheny's music). Thinking I can invent something today would be very stupid. I'm writing a 15/8 modal piece, just to have some challenging rythms to play. Watching Cimarron (Anthony Mann's movie from 1960) I was very surprised to hear a theme in 15/8 ! This guy didn't know Mahavishnu Orchestra, but he sure studied the Rite of Spring. I wonder if many drummers don't overestimate their role because they don't know music enough. They should listen to classical music, they would realize the 17th century composers were already ahead of contemporary rock musicians.
I'm sick of your drumming too. Just kidding. I like your videos they are funn.y here's an idea:. Gratitude! Gratitude for being alive and well, gratitude for having all four limbs with which to play or not,, gratitude for enough food in your belly. Gratitude is the best remedy. But if that it's too sanctimonious and doesn't work for you, sometimes when I'm not playing at my best, my drums may also sound less pleasant , not quite right, a little turning can help to inspire you anew. if that still doesn't work just watch some videos of senri-kawaguchi when she was like 12 years old and realize the competition is lost forever. that should help
Your channel could be named “Drummer Psych”, although the themes of psychology and attitude are equally valid and applicable to almost any creative endeavor. Flow, insecurity, patience, boldness; these are things all creators have to wrangle to be happier and better at their art.
Dude...let me bestow my first comment to you right here. Been following and watching your videos for a while now. I really enjoy your perspective and, of course, your playing. I am a bit of a new-born drummer...originally a guitarist of 30 years playing...morphing into a drummer out of " home studio necessity" over the last 10 years. I am finally getting good enough to start taking my drumming very seriously. I enjoy the hell out of it! I have a friend who took up the drums about the same time I did. I have grown better so much faster than he and it leaves him scratching his head. Of course, the musical strengths I gained over the years on the guitar, practice strategies, sense of music and such, have proven a great advantage for me to grow. (I have also started conquering piano, sax, cello) Anyway, I watch your videos lately for inspiration and much of what you say I want my friend to hear. So true...so much the reality of the ever growing drummer with all the struggles, both mental and physical laid open to examine. So to that I say THANK YOU and encourage you to keep giving as you do.
I love your content so much, since it is so much about the bigger picture of being a musician. Especially this video is spot on. As always, very helpful and engouraging.
Big thanks to you! That was helpful! And amusing as well) I guess, sometimes we just need a break to rethink our playing and try completely different things from what we got used to practice. Or as you mentioned, the change might be small, like shifting click a little or playing in different meter beats that you already know - but it will be refreshing, especially when you continue to generate ideas and add details. And you will eventually invent new beats, fills, breaks. And this creative breakthroughs are very pleasant and motivating.
Numerous times, my loathing of my playing morphed into an existential threat. More than once I've considered taking my life as a way of escaping the cycle of practicing, not making progress and returning to hating the way I play drums. My solution was to simply make playing a hobby and getting a "real job." Not going to lie: finally enjoying a higher standard of living while not viewing my own self-worth as inextricably linked to my ability on the drumset has ultimately led to a happier life. Not saying that this is what anybody else should do, only that it worked for me.
Love this comment. I have been in the same mindset many times. I think we associate our ability with our value. If we suck at drums well then that must mean we just suck fundamentally as a person. It touches our fears and insecurities
Self hate to thy playing definitely comes into play a lot. Dig that last psychological exercise you gave. Good real topic & thoughts you’re giving here 👍🏽
The thing I really like about your videos is that you (unlike many youtube drummers, not all ofc) focus much more on the aloof, ambiguous, and psychological aspects of what it’s like to be on a drummers journey. As much as I love Mike Johnstons energy, drive, and practical application style lessons, I sometimes need to delve into the why more than the how and what. You help me think alot about why it is I’m doing. Thank you!
Literally just went through this for the past 5 days working on some uptempo Tony Williams stuff... I threw my sticks against the wall for the first time since I was 12 and cursed myself out ... no joke . Then today I completely switched gears and began a quest to improve my brush playing and played along with Ahmad Jamal’s version of Surrey With The Fringe On Top for about 3 hours... I feel much better tonight and will re open the uptempo can of worms at a later date and approach it slightly differently
I really appreciate this. It articulates a lot of thoughts and challenges I’ve gone through as a drummer. So. Spot on. I think you’ve touched on something where it’s easy to lose perspective. Comparing to the other. It’s intensified because it’s easy to find a video of amazing playing. What that video doesn’t show you is the challenges that person went through, same to similar as ourselves. I will aim for recognizing my own sincere playing. I’ll try your awareness exercise on catching that deprecating voice. Looking back, when that voice is stronger I have less fun on the drums. No thank you.
Super relevant antedote for the common mental challenge we face. The focus is not on the mental challenge, but how it is answered. The question really is "How do I play something sincere?". Great Job, this is really helpful.
Best version of _you_! A fundamental concept and one has no need whatsoever to contrive a personal "sound" because it's a natural outcome of what we like to play and the way we play it.
I went through this phase about a year ago. They only thing that you can do on the drum kit that no one else can't is be you playing the drums. For better or worse. On the real though, once I gave up trying to replicate everything that I saw or heard that I thought was super cool and focused on mine development and creativity, I become a much better drummer, much faster and have been much happier with my playing. This is your journey and you get to go explore, develop, fail and succeed on your own terms!
Another great video so thanks for it Nate. I have a fun story. I rented a mini digger to do some work the other week and i was learning how to work the controls and after an initial phase of just working out what they did i had to do what you said. So to be the best digger driver i could, i had to not think about being a good digger driver. As soon as those thoughts came into my head about how well i was doing my skills vanished. I also get it too on the drums. I also have been struggling with my playing too at the moment and recognized all your points about how to shake things up. I listened to some brian blade too which pwas funny. Thanks again Nate. Youdaman.
I don't play the drums but I used to for a bit when I was a kid. Kinda miss it. Today Im trying to produce/write electronic music pretty much 100% in the box with a midi keyboard. And like you said, hating your own stuff is universal. So far, this week has been exactly like that, started out with some aggressive self-criticism that slowly turns into anxiety and then the final stage, full-blown fucking self-loathe. I kinda learned how to deal with situations like this, just research other stuff that you might find interesting and whatever you do, don't force the music. That will only make you more depressed. I found your channel thanks to this "phenomena", so... Thank you anxiety, you win again!
but seriously I find focusing on using articulation as a vehicle for phrasing the biggest inspiration, from buzz strokes, stick shots, burying the stick, etc
I'm not a drummer but for producing music I've been there and find that experimenting wildly for fun always does the trick. Doing something completely different - especially for the first time - lets you take a break from your routine, stay productive, and grow as a musician. Works for me 10/10 times if I can remember to do that
4:15 I played only a kit for like 13 years, and was just over it. So I started playing hand drums, and harmonica to give me a new perspective on music, and especially rythm. It's a good thing to switch instruments once in a while.
Hey Nate, Have been digging your videos recently! not even sure if you will even see this, but yeah, I decided to leave my personal experience as a drummer. I have never done drumming school or anything like that, I started because we used to have a drum kit at home back in UNI. The idea was to play rock and punk shit, to make some noise! easy stuff that wouldn't require much skills (at least I thought at that time) But after UNI I saw myself playing alone in my room, for years, never had a band, this was before youtube became this massive platform of knowledge and information, always alone with the same basic rhythms. Ended up losing motivation after a while. One day someone discovered I played drums and asked me if I wanted to join a band. Sounded cool, but since I was so out of shape I decided, for the first time, to have lessons with a teacher. I learn to ready the music sheet and he gave me the basic rudiments to practice, and thought me some basic concepts that for me where totally new. I could see my drumming improving a lot in one month. Sadly that band never rehearsed only a couple of times and after awhile I decided to sell the drumkit and move on. Some years after I moved to London, and one days someone discovered I used to play drums, and he insisted I should go back, that I could easily go to studios and practice there for £3 per hour and go to joinmyband and find beginner musicians to play with. And so I did, I started with a grunge punk band. I improved so much during that time! that I decided to buy a digital drumkit. But has I was developing, I also wanted more, and playing grunge and punk was not enough for me anymore. I started another band, something more complex, that would challenge me even more. After awhile I got to that point that I hated my drums (THIS VIDEO), I was bored of my beats, and I needed more. So I decided to starts lessons again, I needed someone to look at me and tell me the truth about my drumming. Now I'm almost starting from zero, single strokes, tempos, limb separating and all that basic stuff that I lacked (and skipped) from the beginning. I have an extra challenge now, I got a right knee injury and I can't play with that foot, so I had to relearn everything with the left one. An injury is not something good, but in this case is helping on my left foot development. The conclusion and advices I have is that classes helped me a lot, and also that playing with other musicians made me developed way faster than playing alone! Do yourself a favour, if you struggle, try to find a coach/teacher that can help you, and more important find someone of your level (or a bit better than you) and play music!! your drumming will improve massively!
Thank you for these very informative and very encouraging videos. But as much as I enjoy watching Eric Moore perform, because he is awesomely amazing, it is drummers like Robert "Sput" Searight and George "Spanky" McCurdy who makes me lose confidence in my abilities. But when you say things like "just be yourself" it gives more confidence. Thank you.
I played guitar professionally 5-7 days a week for almost 25 years and reached a plateau which had me hate my playing and guitar in general so much so that I quit and haven't gone back. I've switched full-time to drums which has re-inspired me to play music again. I still cringe when I hear people talk about guitars. Anyway, I love your videos and they have me working on jazz drumming almost every day. Thanks for all the great videos and inspiration.
I have a very physically demanding job. But I make time almost every day to bibity beop duop bop skibbadeboop some skins. What I've been discovering latley is that exhaustion dramatically increases the "I hate my drumming" thought process. Because being even a little tired takes you miles from your peak. I've been learning that skipping a day or two of practice is less detrimental than practicing exhausted. Which for me, is a hard pill to swallow. I always try to force progress, and in anger at that. Any body else relate?
My first instrument is drums (30yrs). But I also play guitar and bass(NOT SAME INSTRUMENT. The bass is a whole different animal as far as approach). Anyway,playing more than one instrument is a great way to look at your best instrument in a new way. It can break writers block and even let you forget those nit picky “I’m not good enough” self doubt problems that can be the source of all problems leading to the first stage of wanting to give up. If you wanna be a musician ,not just a person who plays an instrument,it’s essential to learn at least two or three totally different instruments. Like rhythm and a melodic or chordal instrument. And you don’t need to be awesome at your second instrument. Just having a few cords and scales under your fingers on guitar can open up a whole new world on drums.And finally,it’s a lot more satisfying writing music than just getting as good as possible at a single instrument (at least in my humble opinion). Writing music is VERY fun and satisfying AND challenging. It will change your brain and outlook in many positive ways. Finally, I tell this to all drummers. CHECK OUT THE 11” WUHAN SPLASH!! It’s like $40-$50 and makes a great crash. Works awesome with brushes. It’s small and light enough for brushes to activate. But it sounds great with sticks too. I’ve had mine for 16 years and it’s essential for my kit. Easy to replace if it cracks(Ive never had that problem tho). Anyway,Wuhan is NOT a cheap cymbal company. They’re INEXPENSIVE! Big difference. Some of their cymbals aren’t the best sounding but a few of them are TOTALLY worth picking up. Don’t be scared away by their inexpensive prices. They’re not bad cymbals and some are exceptional. Thanx Nate!
I'm just happy to be playing. I'm so lucky. I own an acoustic kit I tuned myself and like the sound. And with awesome cymbals I love. And two cowbells, too. I own an electric kit for when the family's home. I jam with a suburban band, and we recently had our first gig. I have lots of things I need to keep on improving. And some days are better than others. But any day playing is a chance to get better. So I just go for it. Good channel. Keep rocking through it.
My runs have gotten worse. But I played daily and to a click in marching band. Plus weekly lessons in high school. But my free hand cymbal playing and left hand hitting hi-hat game is on point. Plus getting new heads and helping with making things tighten placement up have helped out.
Learning my first double bass song and it’s taking a lot out of me, I tend to be very impatient so I’m just forcing myself to play slow at first and get the motions down. Let’s get it drummers, nothing is impossible!
I feel this way a lot. Luckily I play guitar also so I’ll take a week or two to only practice guitar. When I come back to the drums I feel more fresh. I think focusing on another instrument does in a song helps me interact with that instrument when playing the drums. Or, find some new music to listen to to inspire your playing. I feel like if you really want to play something, you’ll feel better about your playing than if you’re just making yourself practice
Do the same ...except with bass guitar instead. Find it's much more conducive to attaining a healthy grasp of roles within the rhythm section. Also helps examine why I'm always searching for "that" bass player, and honestly believe bassists are ultimately the heaviest cats around..
Thanks for this! I needed it. I wish I'd seen it 20 years ago. This is great advice especially for younger drummers. Do you have any other examples of players like Blade and Spaven??? Those are the players I need to study. Thanks again!!!
Something that always, always helps me when I'm getting really frustrated with my playing is to just take a few days away from the kit. I fill that time with other things. Read a little more, maybe play some video games, build crazy Lego monstrosities with my kids, etc. I keep my mind off of drumming as much as I can. Then after four or five days, I did sit back down, pick up the sticks, and just play something. Anything. It always feels fresher, and it always helps get me back into the right headspace for improving my drumming.
I NEVER hated my drumming by the way. "Drumming Actor" is what I am. I can switch between perfection / imperfection or death metal guy to a electric folk drummer or a wedding band performer. I just play, improvise, create, record, ect. BuT, learning and Experience Never stops. Never. I'm a new learning BABY every time, every moment.
Went though this all this week don't know if it's the weather or what...but i love Danny Carey's style and have always held him up as "the best" in my eyes when fear inoculum came out a few months ago i immediately started trying to mimic him and cover the album as a practice daily...after a week or two i could hang with it and felt pretty good about half the songs, stopped for a week played other things then last night was running though them again and royally screwing every single one up ...so frustrating made me feel so stupid ...because i had these down last week and now it sounds like i never heard the song in my life i snapped a stick on the snare rim and cussed myself out ..went back this morning in a happier state of mind and the poly rhythms just came back to me felt very natural didn't even have to think ti hard about it it just flowed...polor opposite of the night before...happens to us all i guess
It's simple. When you hate your playing, just stop, take a deep breath and fall in love with the quarter note. Revisit it and make it groove. Chances are you are just bored. Who loves their own playing better that that other dude who is always great? Just play, relax and wait for the emotions to chill and come back to reasonable.
Totally not trying to create an argument here. When I heard Nate say that, buying something wasn’t the first thing I thought of. Tuning was. I just did a really nice F triad, high bop tuning recently. Totally made the kit have a different sound, which inspired me to create and play different things.
@@firstdecade15 that means you're less materialistic than me, hahaha. But in all honesty, I was considering various different ways of changing up sounds (different sticks/mallets,tuning, stacking, etc.) when my mind turned to buying gear. I know that, personally, buying a new piece of gear can be inspiring and make me play differently. That experience can be addictive, and as a former musical instrument salesman myself, I've seen lots of people get caught up in GAS. If anything, it's a word of warning. Maybe Nate could do a video on the topic ;)
Haha... absolutely true. I always try to fight that urge. It’s like a self deprecating thing for me. I’m always asking myself... Am I really good enough to ride on that $800 cymbal? Am I worthy of that? Do I need it? Will I do it justice? Is my touch good enough? Probably not. Then I go back to practicing with what I have. That’s just me. But I mean, who wouldn’t want to have a case filled with the most beautiful stuff?
Warm-up with a simple single stroke roll, even if only for five minutes. Don't try to be like someone else. You might change your mind later on. And don't try to mimic an athlete on the drums. Don't sit too close to your snare and bass drum. Get a good drum pedal. Learn the basics of reading and rudiments. You'll never fall into a rut again. Never forget to groove. I find it's more important than chops...even in jazz.
This video right here just changed the my life !!! George mc fly mother started reapering !Good because i was almost becoming humble 😂 Its not all fun and games loll But on a serious note !! This video really just changed the way i split my time practicing theres the Defrost phase.After there Experimental phase ! Then there is the Restriction may apply( BPM toms repetitiveness comfort phrasing) after i take a brake listen to music.After there is me time phase there ( performance)Where i dont cut myself any slack and have little tolerance for stagnation)There i must deliver the goods or risk being fired by myself
I am also trying to find out. I am not sure, but it could be a stack from a Zildjian A Custom EFX Cymbal - 16 Inch, with another unknown cymbal...Hopefully one day we find out for sure!
Nate - thanks!! IMHO this is important, universal stuff. Use the tools I have differently. Try different time frameworks. Change your setup/sound a little. Transcribe others, but be yourself. Push away the negative voice. All great suggestions, and all useful to me - not as drummer, but as an intermediate guitar player. So glad I found this channel.
Yes I have always hated my playing despite the positive feedback I would get. I am self taught and never took lessons or music school. Currently haven’t played in 6 plus years as I had no choice to sell my whole setup for financial hardship. Although I’m planning on getting back into music. I’m thinking this time around trying the Roland TD-10 opposed to an acoustic kit. ✌️
“First world crappy.” Excellent perspective there, Nate. Also, I had a very crappy session on the kit the other night. Definitely a “consciously incompetent” evening. It will pass.
Eric Moore was at Berklee the same time that I was. Guess what? He already sounded like Eric Moore. Since then, his thing has only gotten deeper and more amazing. He has always played his vibe in his style.
Being around him, and other great players of our generation on many instruments and styles, has taught me that two three things matter greatly that separate the greats from the very good:
1) knowledge of self
2) fucking crazy dedication
3) musical sincerity
Dana Hawkins was around Boston at the same time. Unlike Eric, he didn't show up as completely realized from a technical perspective . However, he knew what he wanted to sound like, and put in crazy work. In about a year from the time I first heard him he became a total monster.
Knowing What you like and dedicating yourself to that pursuit fully seems to be a big part of the secret, not unlike The Secret, or any of the other new age self help books out there promoting this kind of thinking and action. Thanks for the video and reminder.
David Andrew Moore Very insightful and well articulated. Thanks for sharing.
This is very well written and thoughtful
I tend to jam with my best friend if I get stuck in a rut. Creating music with others is the best medicine.
Thinking a drummer like Brian Blade gets all his miles on the conviction of what he plays and the conviction of the music he's playing. You know he believes in every note he's playing. There's not an ounce of sending a message to the drummers in the audience. No ego. Just him and the musicians on the stage. I'm very envious of that perspective. He plays beautiful music.
Practice is one thing, playing alone is what it is. Everyone has crappy sessions. I was thinking the other day how organic my current group of friends and I are. It's organic in the sense that if we tried to play certain things it doesn't always work. What I'm finding is that we GET TO PLACES and sounds based on doing other things. So we try to play certain things and the style of what we're trying to do LEADS us to play songs we all know and find ourselves actually doing something we didn't set out to do.
This is why and how we play first time tried songs that end up being the best versions of those songs anyone could hope to do. It's because we were there already doing it and recognize that it's there organically. When we then try it again on some other day it doesn't come close to how well we did it first time!
It's like hey we're playing this song! And we rip off the first try as if we wrote it, it's pretty amazing!
Hell even the best can be boring all by themselves! Get together with your friends!
I’m so glad I stumbled upon your channel and the coaching course a year ago. You’re so right on the spot every time, thanks dude! 🥰🏆👏🏻
Love it. I hit the “I hate my playing” wall pretty hard last week. I needed this. And the outtakes at the end were awesome.
Why not going on a small vacation fi walking in the nature? Or do something for your neighbour, a friend.
You’ll be amazed how that helps to refresh your playing. And don’t compare with others.
Thanks a lot for this video. I am a guitarist primarily and I definitely hear "the voice", you speak of. I found this very helpful and reassuring, it's always good to hear players who are obviously very accomplished, speaking about their own insecurity and how to move on. I enjoy your teaching style and I think it's courageous of you to admit you feel arrogant sometimes. If you are in the position of "expert", and you have a crisis of confidence, it not only undermines how you feel about your playing but also your confidence in your ability to help others with theirs.
I appreciate all the work you put in to this channel and I value your musicianship and humility.
Man, this is honest and inspiring. Thank you for being so open about the human aspects of drumming. Well done.
So glad to hear someone talking about this! I've always struggled with this, and is dependent entirely on daily fluctuation of mood and energy levels. We get in our own way. Thanks bud.
I liked your joke about the background music and appreciate you trying new things! Great video
Thanks for another great lesson Nate! Good to know that this is an issue for so many of us-it would be interesting to know if even the drummers we revere have these same issues/voices in their heads.
This is by far one of my favorite videos by you...Hilarious with some fantastic ideas
Reminds me of a Giuliana interview I saw a while ago. He was asked about how he came to have such a unique style. He said during practice sessions, if he played something that he thought sounded like somebody else, he would stop and start playing something different. I really do think that’s essential in defining our own identities as drummers.
Elvin Jones said that searching a style should be our least concern. I agree. If you have a strong musical personnality, it will emerge. Great musicians have a vision, and they simply develop the technical abilities to realize it, in composition or in playing. But stopping something because that could sound like somebody else ? Seems a dubious motivation. That's more pretentiousness than art.
@@ofdrumsandchords well said, it's nearly impossible to not play like someone else especially when it comes to the drums, due to this little thing some people refer to as MUSIC THEORY. Drummers should focus most on their timing and technique, and the appropriate style and chops for playing the genres they want to play.
@@markhynes5160 I don't have much timing problems and I'm too old to bother about technique. You talk about music theory, a lot of drummers should learn about it ! I'm always astonished to see how many don't know what's a minor chord, but yet study Weckl's fills.
I steal a lot of things (I love Shorter's language, and Metheny's music). Thinking I can invent something today would be very stupid. I'm writing a 15/8 modal piece, just to have some challenging rythms to play.
Watching Cimarron (Anthony Mann's movie from 1960) I was very surprised to hear a theme in 15/8 ! This guy didn't know Mahavishnu Orchestra, but he sure studied the Rite of Spring.
I wonder if many drummers don't overestimate their role because they don't know music enough. They should listen to classical music, they would realize the 17th century composers were already ahead of contemporary rock musicians.
I'm sick of your drumming too. Just kidding. I like your videos they are funn.y here's an idea:. Gratitude! Gratitude for being alive and well, gratitude for having all four limbs with which to play or not,, gratitude for enough food in your belly. Gratitude is the best remedy. But if that it's too sanctimonious and doesn't work for you, sometimes when I'm not playing at my best, my drums may also sound less pleasant , not quite right, a little turning can help to inspire you anew. if that still doesn't work just watch some videos of senri-kawaguchi when she was like 12 years old and realize the competition is lost forever. that should help
Love your stuff big time !! Very human and intelligent insight.
Your channel could be named “Drummer Psych”, although the themes of psychology and attitude are equally valid and applicable to almost any creative endeavor. Flow, insecurity, patience, boldness; these are things all creators have to wrangle to be happier and better at their art.
Favorite channel on YT. Love your stuff
Dude...let me bestow my first comment to you right here. Been following and watching your videos for a while now. I really enjoy your perspective and, of course, your playing. I am a bit of a new-born drummer...originally a guitarist of 30 years playing...morphing into a drummer out of " home studio necessity" over the last 10 years. I am finally getting good enough to start taking my drumming very seriously. I enjoy the hell out of it! I have a friend who took up the drums about the same time I did. I have grown better so much faster than he and it leaves him scratching his head. Of course, the musical strengths I gained over the years on the guitar, practice strategies, sense of music and such, have proven a great advantage for me to grow. (I have also started conquering piano, sax, cello) Anyway, I watch your videos lately for inspiration and much of what you say I want my friend to hear. So true...so much the reality of the ever growing drummer with all the struggles, both mental and physical laid open to examine. So to that I say THANK YOU and encourage you to keep giving as you do.
I love your content so much, since it is so much about the bigger picture of being a musician. Especially this video is spot on. As always, very helpful and engouraging.
Fantastic video. Thanks Nate! I absolutely love your videos.
Yes, I’ve experienced hating your playing.
(Kidding)
Big thanks to you! That was helpful! And amusing as well)
I guess, sometimes we just need a break to rethink our playing and try completely different things from what we got used to practice. Or as you mentioned, the change might be small, like shifting click a little or playing in different meter beats that you already know - but it will be refreshing, especially when you continue to generate ideas and add details. And you will eventually invent new beats, fills, breaks. And this creative breakthroughs are very pleasant and motivating.
This is some high quality advice, for any musician from any background and instrument.
Thanks for this, man! All the best 👍
Numerous times, my loathing of my playing morphed into an existential threat. More than once I've considered taking my life as a way of escaping the cycle of practicing, not making progress and returning to hating the way I play drums. My solution was to simply make playing a hobby and getting a "real job." Not going to lie: finally enjoying a higher standard of living while not viewing my own self-worth as inextricably linked to my ability on the drumset has ultimately led to a happier life. Not saying that this is what anybody else should do, only that it worked for me.
Love this comment. I have been in the same mindset many times. I think we associate our ability with our value. If we suck at drums well then that must mean we just suck fundamentally as a person. It touches our fears and insecurities
Self hate to thy playing definitely comes into play a lot.
Dig that last psychological exercise you gave. Good real topic & thoughts you’re giving here 👍🏽
Great video. Really liked this one!!!
I watched this out of curiosity since I'm just learning but the phylosophy behind it can be applied to so many activities _!_
The thing I really like about your videos is that you (unlike many youtube drummers, not all ofc) focus much more on the aloof, ambiguous, and psychological aspects of what it’s like to be on a drummers journey.
As much as I love Mike Johnstons energy, drive, and practical application style lessons, I sometimes need to delve into the why more than the how and what.
You help me think alot about why it is I’m doing. Thank you!
Literally just went through this for the past 5 days working on some uptempo Tony Williams stuff... I threw my sticks against the wall for the first time since I was 12 and cursed myself out ... no joke .
Then today I completely switched gears and began a quest to improve my brush playing and played along with Ahmad Jamal’s version of Surrey With The Fringe On Top for about 3 hours... I feel much better tonight and will re open the uptempo can of worms at a later date and approach it slightly differently
I really appreciate this. It articulates a lot of thoughts and challenges I’ve gone through as a drummer. So. Spot on. I think you’ve touched on something where it’s easy to lose perspective. Comparing to the other. It’s intensified because it’s easy to find a video of amazing playing. What that video doesn’t show you is the challenges that person went through, same to similar as ourselves. I will aim for recognizing my own sincere playing. I’ll try your awareness exercise on catching that deprecating voice. Looking back, when that voice is stronger I have less fun on the drums. No thank you.
So true. You're my hero. If I could ever play as well as you, I'd have reached my dream.
“Eric Moore wold play this faster”
I think that all the time lol
LOL did you see the new video?
That's me in a nutshell
Much love man!!!! All the way from Maine!
Great video. I’m more of a guitar player than a drummer but this video is applicable to pretty much any instrument.
super amazing. i love this, in all respects. it was properly encouraging. thanks nate!
What an excellent video! Thanks.
Super relevant antedote for the common mental challenge we face. The focus is not on the mental challenge, but how it is answered. The question really is "How do I play something sincere?". Great Job, this is really helpful.
Nate is so very insightful. I bought in to the first level of your program. But, alas I have not done anything with it. I need to get on it.
This is very helpful. Absolutely. Thank you very much.
Thank you for the RE- inspiration, like your dry humour.
Best version of _you_! A fundamental concept and one has no need whatsoever to contrive a personal "sound" because it's a natural outcome of what we like to play and the way we play it.
FanTAStic information!
Amazing video!!
Your videos are funnier at 1.5x speed.
So technically, I can make you faster than Eric Moore...MAGIC!
I get self conscious about my playing way to often. Thanks for this video I'll probably watch it again.
I went through this phase about a year ago. They only thing that you can do on the drum kit that no one else can't is be you playing the drums. For better or worse.
On the real though, once I gave up trying to replicate everything that I saw or heard that I thought was super cool and focused on mine development and creativity, I become a much better drummer, much faster and have been much happier with my playing.
This is your journey and you get to go explore, develop, fail and succeed on your own terms!
Every week - always get over this playing live with my friends
This was really helpful, sometimes we really need to stop thinking in such a way that we Defeat our selves.. Thanks for the insight!
great lesson!!!
Drummer to drummer, I love your style man! Great playing and pedagogy goin on.
Prob my fav vid from you; prob my top 3 TH-cam vids all time.
"I SUCK!!!" lol me in 10 mins.
Another great video so thanks for it Nate. I have a fun story. I rented a mini digger to do some work the other week and i was learning how to work the controls and after an initial phase of just working out what they did i had to do what you said. So to be the best digger driver i could, i had to not think about being a good digger driver. As soon as those thoughts came into my head about how well i was doing my skills vanished. I also get it too on the drums. I also have been struggling with my playing too at the moment and recognized all your points about how to shake things up. I listened to some brian blade too which pwas funny. Thanks again Nate. Youdaman.
I don't play the drums but I used to for a bit when I was a kid. Kinda miss it. Today Im trying to produce/write electronic music pretty much 100% in the box with a midi keyboard. And like you said, hating your own stuff is universal. So far, this week has been exactly like that, started out with some aggressive self-criticism that slowly turns into anxiety and then the final stage, full-blown fucking self-loathe. I kinda learned how to deal with situations like this, just research other stuff that you might find interesting and whatever you do, don't force the music. That will only make you more depressed. I found your channel thanks to this "phenomena", so... Thank you anxiety, you win again!
I always hate my playing. No Nirvana here. Another thing: Eric Moore haunts me too. Great video, thank you.
I find not playing for 6 months really makes everything sound fresh again lol
but seriously I find focusing on using articulation as a vehicle for phrasing the biggest inspiration, from buzz strokes, stick shots, burying the stick, etc
Great stuff
I'm not a drummer but for producing music I've been there and find that experimenting wildly for fun always does the trick. Doing something completely different - especially for the first time - lets you take a break from your routine, stay productive, and grow as a musician. Works for me 10/10 times if I can remember to do that
You have no idea how bad I needed to see this video. Thank you
#staybangin🥁
4:15 I played only a kit for like 13 years, and was just over it. So I started playing hand drums, and harmonica to give me a new perspective on music, and especially rythm. It's a good thing to switch instruments once in a while.
Hey Nate, Have been digging your videos recently!
not even sure if you will even see this, but yeah, I decided to leave my personal experience as a drummer.
I have never done drumming school or anything like that, I started because we used to have a drum kit at home back in UNI. The idea was to play rock and punk shit, to make some noise! easy stuff that wouldn't require much skills (at least I thought at that time)
But after UNI I saw myself playing alone in my room, for years, never had a band, this was before youtube became this massive platform of knowledge and information, always alone with the same basic rhythms. Ended up losing motivation after a while.
One day someone discovered I played drums and asked me if I wanted to join a band. Sounded cool, but since I was so out of shape I decided, for the first time, to have lessons with a teacher. I learn to ready the music sheet and he gave me the basic rudiments to practice, and thought me some basic concepts that for me where totally new. I could see my drumming improving a lot in one month.
Sadly that band never rehearsed only a couple of times and after awhile I decided to sell the drumkit and move on.
Some years after I moved to London, and one days someone discovered I used to play drums, and he insisted I should go back, that I could easily go to studios and practice there for £3 per hour and go to joinmyband and find beginner musicians to play with. And so I did, I started with a grunge punk band. I improved so much during that time! that I decided to buy a digital drumkit.
But has I was developing, I also wanted more, and playing grunge and punk was not enough for me anymore. I started another band, something more complex, that would challenge me even more.
After awhile I got to that point that I hated my drums (THIS VIDEO), I was bored of my beats, and I needed more. So I decided to starts lessons again, I needed someone to look at me and tell me the truth about my drumming.
Now I'm almost starting from zero, single strokes, tempos, limb separating and all that basic stuff that I lacked (and skipped) from the beginning.
I have an extra challenge now, I got a right knee injury and I can't play with that foot, so I had to relearn everything with the left one. An injury is not something good, but in this case is helping on my left foot development.
The conclusion and advices I have is that classes helped me a lot, and also that playing with other musicians made me developed way faster than playing alone! Do yourself a favour, if you struggle, try to find a coach/teacher that can help you, and more important find someone of your level (or a bit better than you) and play music!! your drumming will improve massively!
Beautiful how Life is directing drums again and again in your Life.
Be good and cheers :)
The last myth is the single most important. Be the best version of yourself. Good video my dude. We’ve all had funks. (Not the good kind)
That practice pad could probably take that slice out of your left hand. Great work, love your content!!!
Have you seen the most recent video? 😜
Thank you for these very informative and very encouraging videos. But as much as I enjoy watching Eric Moore perform, because he is awesomely amazing, it is drummers like Robert "Sput" Searight and George "Spanky" McCurdy who makes me lose confidence in my abilities. But when you say things like "just be yourself" it gives more confidence. Thank you.
I played guitar professionally 5-7 days a week for almost 25 years and reached a plateau which had me hate my playing and guitar in general so much so that I quit and haven't gone back. I've switched full-time to drums which has re-inspired me to play music again. I still cringe when I hear people talk about guitars. Anyway, I love your videos and they have me working on jazz drumming almost every day. Thanks for all the great videos and inspiration.
I have a very physically demanding job. But I make time almost every day to bibity beop duop bop skibbadeboop some skins. What I've been discovering latley is that exhaustion dramatically increases the "I hate my drumming" thought process. Because being even a little tired takes you miles from your peak. I've been learning that skipping a day or two of practice is less detrimental than practicing exhausted. Which for me, is a hard pill to swallow. I always try to force progress, and in anger at that. Any body else relate?
Very important comment.
I agree with you.
Same with me.
Carpenter here. I do understand but I realized that playing tiered and gutting through that feeling has made my playing better on the weekends.
My first instrument is drums (30yrs). But I also play guitar and bass(NOT SAME INSTRUMENT. The bass is a whole different animal as far as approach). Anyway,playing more than one instrument is a great way to look at your best instrument in a new way. It can break writers block and even let you forget those nit picky “I’m not good enough” self doubt problems that can be the source of all problems leading to the first stage of wanting to give up. If you wanna be a musician ,not just a person who plays an instrument,it’s essential to learn at least two or three totally different instruments. Like rhythm and a melodic or chordal instrument. And you don’t need to be awesome at your second instrument. Just having a few cords and scales under your fingers on guitar can open up a whole new world on drums.And finally,it’s a lot more satisfying writing music than just getting as good as possible at a single instrument (at least in my humble opinion). Writing music is VERY fun and satisfying AND challenging. It will change your brain and outlook in many positive ways. Finally, I tell this to all drummers. CHECK OUT THE 11” WUHAN SPLASH!! It’s like $40-$50 and makes a great crash. Works awesome with brushes. It’s small and light enough for brushes to activate. But it sounds great with sticks too. I’ve had mine for 16 years and it’s essential for my kit. Easy to replace if it cracks(Ive never had that problem tho). Anyway,Wuhan is NOT a cheap cymbal company. They’re INEXPENSIVE! Big difference. Some of their cymbals aren’t the best sounding but a few of them are TOTALLY worth picking up. Don’t be scared away by their inexpensive prices. They’re not bad cymbals and some are exceptional. Thanx Nate!
I'm a mediocre guitar player who struggles with self-consciousness and overthinking a lot. Will be trying your exercise tonight - great idea!
'Listens to Fear Inoculum' *throws drumsticks*
Not JC Denton EPIC ALBUM
I saw Brian Blade with Chic Corea trio years ago. Amazing
I'm just happy to be playing. I'm so lucky. I own an acoustic kit I tuned myself and like the sound. And with awesome cymbals I love. And two cowbells, too.
I own an electric kit for when the family's home.
I jam with a suburban band, and we recently had our first gig.
I have lots of things I need to keep on improving. And some days are better than others. But any day playing is a chance to get better. So I just go for it.
Good channel. Keep rocking through it.
Vlad Kiperman Good stuff, keep playing man!!
@@ORDER4STU Thanks, man!
My runs have gotten worse. But I played daily and to a click in marching band. Plus weekly lessons in high school. But my free hand cymbal playing and left hand hitting hi-hat game is on point. Plus getting new heads and helping with making things tighten placement up have helped out.
Could never hate your drumming!
I feel like this every freaking day. lol. But I think I actually just suck.
2:15 It's called "imposter syndrome". I think every performer gets it.
Learning my first double bass song and it’s taking a lot out of me, I tend to be very impatient so I’m just forcing myself to play slow at first and get the motions down. Let’s get it drummers, nothing is impossible!
Wooooo that groove in the beginning :))))
I feel this way a lot. Luckily I play guitar also so I’ll take a week or two to only practice guitar. When I come back to the drums I feel more fresh. I think focusing on another instrument does in a song helps me interact with that instrument when playing the drums. Or, find some new music to listen to to inspire your playing. I feel like if you really want to play something, you’ll feel better about your playing than if you’re just making yourself practice
Do the same ...except with bass guitar instead. Find it's much more conducive to attaining a healthy grasp of roles within the rhythm section. Also helps examine why I'm always searching for "that" bass player, and honestly believe bassists are ultimately the heaviest cats around..
Thanks for this! I needed it. I wish I'd seen it 20 years ago. This is great advice especially for younger drummers. Do you have any other examples of players like Blade and Spaven??? Those are the players I need to study. Thanks again!!!
Relatable content 👊🏼
Something that always, always helps me when I'm getting really frustrated with my playing is to just take a few days away from the kit. I fill that time with other things. Read a little more, maybe play some video games, build crazy Lego monstrosities with my kids, etc. I keep my mind off of drumming as much as I can. Then after four or five days, I did sit back down, pick up the sticks, and just play something. Anything. It always feels fresher, and it always helps get me back into the right headspace for improving my drumming.
I NEVER hated my drumming by the way. "Drumming Actor" is what I am. I can switch between perfection / imperfection or death metal guy to a electric folk drummer or a wedding band performer. I just play, improvise, create, record, ect.
BuT, learning and Experience Never stops. Never. I'm a new learning BABY every time, every moment.
Onur Ertem that means you haven’t reached the level where you have the self awareness to critique yourself . No offence .
Mute your drums with t-shirts and play with dowel rods, always makes for a nice change up.
Went though this all this week don't know if it's the weather or what...but i love Danny Carey's style and have always held him up as "the best" in my eyes when fear inoculum came out a few months ago i immediately started trying to mimic him and cover the album as a practice daily...after a week or two i could hang with it and felt pretty good about half the songs, stopped for a week played other things then last night was running though them again and royally screwing every single one up ...so frustrating made me feel so stupid ...because i had these down last week and now it sounds like i never heard the song in my life i snapped a stick on the snare rim and cussed myself out ..went back this morning in a happier state of mind and the poly rhythms just came back to me felt very natural didn't even have to think ti hard about it it just flowed...polor opposite of the night before...happens to us all i guess
“How do I play more sincerely?”
It's simple. When you hate your playing, just stop, take a deep breath and fall in love with the quarter note. Revisit it and make it groove. Chances are you are just bored. Who loves their own playing better that that other dude who is always great? Just play, relax and wait for the emotions to chill and come back to reasonable.
"Different sound on the kit" is the root of GAS. Gotta be careful with that one
Gear Addiction Syndrome? :P
@@8020drummer precisely.
Totally not trying to create an argument here. When I heard Nate say that, buying something wasn’t the first thing I thought of. Tuning was. I just did a really nice F triad, high bop tuning recently. Totally made the kit have a different sound, which inspired me to create and play different things.
@@firstdecade15 that means you're less materialistic than me, hahaha. But in all honesty, I was considering various different ways of changing up sounds (different sticks/mallets,tuning, stacking, etc.) when my mind turned to buying gear. I know that, personally, buying a new piece of gear can be inspiring and make me play differently. That experience can be addictive, and as a former musical instrument salesman myself, I've seen lots of people get caught up in GAS. If anything, it's a word of warning. Maybe Nate could do a video on the topic ;)
Haha... absolutely true. I always try to fight that urge. It’s like a self deprecating thing for me. I’m always asking myself... Am I really good enough to ride on that $800 cymbal? Am I worthy of that? Do I need it? Will I do it justice? Is my touch good enough? Probably not. Then I go back to practicing with what I have. That’s just me. But I mean, who wouldn’t want to have a case filled with the most beautiful stuff?
..I'm a fan! Are your odd time fill ideas loosely based on specific sticking's, or mostly improv? It's a really happening sound...thanks....rob
I'm not even a drummer and I love your channel
Warm-up with a simple single stroke roll, even if only for five minutes.
Don't try to be like someone else. You might change your mind later on.
And don't try to mimic an athlete on the drums.
Don't sit too close to your snare and bass drum.
Get a good drum pedal.
Learn the basics of reading and rudiments. You'll never fall into a rut again.
Never forget to groove. I find it's more important than chops...even in jazz.
Saw you're almost at 50k subscribers.. I'm bummed I'm not the 50,000th
I def find adding some bells or blocks or different stacks helps
Thank’s a lot….!!!!
It’s the mood that you’re/I’m in at the moment u sit down.
This video right here just changed the my life !!! George mc fly mother started reapering !Good because i was almost becoming humble 😂 Its not all fun and games loll But on a serious note !! This video really just changed the way i split my time practicing theres the Defrost phase.After there Experimental phase ! Then there is the Restriction may apply( BPM toms repetitiveness comfort phrasing) after i take a brake listen to music.After there is me time phase there ( performance)Where i dont cut myself any slack and have little tolerance for stagnation)There i must deliver the goods or risk being fired by myself
Hi man. What is that stacked cymbals you got there. It sounds nice. Also their size. Thanks. From Philippines here :)
I am also trying to find out. I am not sure, but it could be a stack from a Zildjian A Custom EFX Cymbal - 16 Inch, with another unknown cymbal...Hopefully one day we find out for sure!
Nate - thanks!! IMHO this is important, universal stuff. Use the tools I have differently. Try different time frameworks. Change your setup/sound a little. Transcribe others, but be yourself. Push away the negative voice. All great suggestions, and all useful to me - not as drummer, but as an intermediate guitar player. So glad I found this channel.
Yes I have always hated my playing despite the positive feedback I would get. I am self taught and never took lessons or music school. Currently haven’t played in 6 plus years as I had no choice to sell my whole setup for financial hardship. Although I’m planning on getting back into music. I’m thinking this time around trying the Roland TD-10 opposed to an acoustic kit. ✌️