Your Personal Drumming Maxims?

[TPC]

Be music-y, not drum-y.

 

[bpaluzzi]

Pat Boone Debby Boone

 

[Steech]

Someone told me and this is my personality anyway but know it until it's almost impossible to screw up.

I think about that when I'm playing the same song list over and over and over again getting every detail right with no slip-ups.

I have a similar approach to yours but with a twist.

Screw it up so badly that you can’t screw it up any more.

This has worked pretty well for me so far in my life and I see no reason to change now.

 

[drummer5359]

I smile when I play.

I try to play so that the other musicians and the audience also smile.

I hope that it isn't because they are laughing.

 

[1988fxlr]

I was told before my first gig, If nobody is dancing, you’re doing it wrong. It may not apply to all situations, but good enough for me

 

[mtarrani]

Never lose sight of the fact that I am there to support the musicians whom I am backing, and to focus my attention solely on what they are doing.

EDITED TO ADD: It's a poor craftsman who blames his tools.

 

[blueshadow]

Always wanted a shirt that said "What Would Ringo Do?" probably one out there.

 

[Squirrel Man]

Always wanted a shirt that said "What Would Ringo Do?" probably one out there.

I've made replies here saying what would buddy do.

 

[blueshadow]

I've made replies here saying what would buddy do.

Depends on the gig I guess would need shirts saying "What would Bonzo Do?" and "What would the Professor Do?" then would be a matter of know which shirt you needed to wear to the gig

 

[Russian Dragon]

Don't disturb the groove!

(Oooh, but what if I just add a little AAAAAARGGG, I RUINED IT AGAIN!)

 

[thejohnlec]

Make sure you’re providing everything your bandmates need onstage to play their best.

 

[toddbishop]

Relax, have fun, and remember, if you screw up, you'll never work in this business again.

"On this band you play time."

 

[Steech]

I was told before my first gig, If nobody is dancing, you’re doing it wrong. It may not apply to all situations, but good enough for me

I subbed for a drummer for a few days on a singer/songwriter gig and noticed that people were not really dancing too much at shows when he was behind the kit. I had a different approach to a few of the songs and then when I was playing the gig, I looked up in the audience and saw that the whole front of the room was dancing. I had never thought of myself as a danceable drummer and this was a nice surprise.

 

[Steech]

Depends on the gig I guess would need shirts saying "What would Bonzo Do?" and "What would the Professor Do?" then would be a matter of know which shirt you needed to wear to the gig

Mine would read “What would Animal do”

 

[blueshadow]

Relax, have fun, and remember, if you screw up, you'll never work in this business again.

"On this band you play time."

I think it was Steel Guitarist Buddy Emmons or was it Les Paul that said "If you screw up, do it three more times in the song so people will think you did it on purpose"

 

[hefty]

If things aren't feeling good on stage and especially if you notice you're up in your own head, imagine a goat on stage with you. Always brings me back to the moment (and makes me laugh). I wish I could remember who told me this first!

 

[5stroke]

Always bring your A game to a gig and even band rehearsals. Not preparing or being lazy doesn't work.

 

[tnsquint]

If it works for you, do it.

 

[hsosdrum]

Be fearless.

 

[JazzDrumGuy]

Easy - don't drop the sticks.....