Why do us drummers do this??

[QCdrummer]

I've noticed something about us drummers. We go to a church, and the drummer is off the chains, we go up to them, and talk to them, and get all excited. (I do this all the time) But if a drummer is not that great we, don't even say a word to them.( I've been guilty of this) Why is that?

I've been on both sides of this before. When I was stumbling, I felt like an NFL kicker who just missed the game-winning field goal. Nobody would even talk to me. But when my playing has stepped up, people came and talked to me all the time!

No matter where I go, I ALWAYS tell the drummers that I enjoyed them, and alot of times I thought they were terrible! But I just believe we have to just keep encouraging each other, so that we can get better. That doesn't mean you have to get on the kit and show him any of your licks, but you can at least say "I enjoyed you". Encouragement goes a long way.

JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:  When your wife/girlfriend cooks you a meal, do you tell them that its bad, even if it is bad? No, you tell them that you enjoyed it, so that next time they will cook with confidence and bring something even better to the table than they did the last time...............................

[eugenio]

I have experianced this. I think its bad not to talk to someone just because you didnt enjoy their playing. I always like to talk to my fellow drummers and try to be honest with any compliments I give. I know with my own playing that when I put in the work people noticed. It felt good when different people gave the same compliment because I felt like its true rather than someone lying to me.   

[diligent-hands]

look how the holy spirit moves..i was just talking to one of our keyboard players about this..im the same way wether it was good or bad,i always let em know that i enjoyed them and to keep playing for his glory...u right bro..encouragement goes a very long way..God Bless...7

[KurzLand]

Let us start encouraging every musician.

[fretai03]

Let us start encouraging every musician.

QFT (Quoted For Truth)

[emmanueld]

i dont know y we do this if their young i go over and give them a few pointers but if their older then me and theuir slaw and i keep it moving but iam going 2 start speak to them all u never know what u say to them could make their day!!

[Furious Styles]

I think its a courtesy to speak to a fellow drummer just to show your appreciation for the craft. When it comes to critiquing someone else's playing I just think it is shallow not to give anyone pointers. If that person isn't receptive or if you aren't willing to shed light on how someone can improve then why be fake. I'm not a fan of giving people lip service. Most times we have our expectation of how someone should've played a song. Some like to take this as validation that they are better than that drummer. We have all been there. It is a natural reaction but since we play christian music we should bring that thought in the obedience of christ. Saying good job could really be meaningful because if the person got through the song and the people he played for are pleased then what else should be said. Mature drummers see the positives mostly. All drummers know when a drummer has messed up. I've come to appreciate drummers who clean up the mess ups and still kill it. My 3 cents

furious

[LilWes]

Let us start encouraging every musician.

Amen! cuz most people in the church jus go straight up to the organist

[bigblackdrummer]

If a drummer sucks your not doing him any good by telling him hes good! You will more keep him down by boosting his ego! As for talking I talk to everybody no matter and if I have a pair on me usually give them a pair of my sticks!.

[cloud9mission]

I know what you mean cos I do it all the time too. But Im inclined to agree with bigblackdrummer in a way. Theres nothing worse than a bad drummer with an ego! I believe encouragment is very important in a players developement but if they recieve props for bad playing it does not give much of an incentive to aspire to become better.

At the same time, there is a lot to be said for a naive perception. I see it in my students all the time where they do the most interesting licks and ideas because, for lack of a better way of putting it, they dont know any better. Thats the best thing about teaching and encouraging new drummers as I learn just as much as they do.

[pdpguy]

i agree with BBD and cloud9. i ain't lyin' to nobody. and truth be told, if i see a movie that's not good, i'm not wishing i could talk to the director. if i'm not blessed or inspired by your playing or attitude, i'm not going to lie and say i was blessed and inspired. if you aren't good, i ain't gonna tell you you are. if i didn't enjoy you, i ain't gonna say i did. but i will talk to you. talking to someone should have nothing to do with their skill level - that's an elitist move right there. and i usually ask, "what drummers do you listen to?" that usually opens a a discussion and allows them to realize that they should be listening to others to learn and grow.

if they have an ego problem, i speak and walk away. if their humble, i tell them positive things that i noticed about their playing and IF THEY ASK i give them pointers (giving unsolicited pointers can be seen as arrogant).

[Krazie_316]

Extremely true

[dude-on-drums]

i agree with BBD and cloud9. i ain't lyin' to nobody. and truth be told, if i see a movie that's not good, i'm not wishing i could talk to the director. if i'm not blessed or inspired by your playing or attitude, i'm not going to lie and say i was blessed and inspired. if you aren't good, i ain't gonna tell you you are. if i didn't enjoy you, i ain't gonna say i did. but i will talk to you. talking to someone should have nothing to do with their skill level - that's an elitist move right there. and i usually ask, "what drummers do you listen to?" that usually opens a a discussion and allows them to realize that they should be listening to others to learn and grow.

if they have an ego problem, i speak and walk away. if their humble, i tell them positive things that i noticed about their playing and IF THEY ASK i give them pointers (giving unsolicited pointers can be seen as arrogant).

Please return those words back to my mouth!  lol!    well said my friend, very well said.

[QCdrummer]

i agree with BBD and cloud9. i ain't lyin' to nobody. and truth be told, if i see a movie that's not good, i'm not wishing i could talk to the director. if i'm not blessed or inspired by your playing or attitude, i'm not going to lie and say i was blessed and inspired. if you aren't good, i ain't gonna tell you you are. if i didn't enjoy you, i ain't gonna say i did. but i will talk to you. talking to someone should have nothing to do with their skill level - that's an elitist move right there. and i usually ask, "what drummers do you listen to?" that usually opens a a discussion and allows them to realize that they should be listening to others to learn and grow.

if they have an ego problem, i speak and walk away. if their humble, i tell them positive things that i noticed about their playing and IF THEY ASK i give them pointers (giving unsolicited pointers can be seen as arrogant).

lol, i'm not saying you have to lie, but just saying that you enjoyed them is a nice gesture. You don't even have to say that they are good.

[fretai03]

...Theres nothing worse than a bad drummer with an ego!...

Maybe there's nothing worse... but a GOOD drummer with an ego is certainly on the same level (to me)...


On a side note; I like what pdpdguy said

IF THEY ASK i give them pointers (giving unsolicited pointers can be seen as arrogant).

& I need to apply that. I'm so free in giving advice that I now realise I should just chill on trying to share information & give when it's asked for...

[EricT]

IMO it all depends on my time....I was at a christmas event on Saturday..the drummer was nice. I spoke to him but I never told him I was a fellow Levite...i don't know why, I just didn't. I was there to enjoy the service. Now having read this, i guess I shoulda said something to him.....ther were other musicians there thinking that I was playing as well...I said "nah, i'm just here to enjoy the service."

[pdpguy]

lol, i'm not saying you have to lie, but just saying that you enjoyed them is a nice gesture. You don't even have to say that they are good.

if i didn't enjoy them, wouldn't that be lying? i know that's technical, but hey. . . i understand what you're saying about not high-siding and not being able to talk to anyone. that's not me. i'm quick on my verbal feet (usually) and i can usually think of something to say to someone even if they're not all that good. but i just stick with real general stuff or i'll ask how long they've been playing, or something. . . but i can't bringm myslef to lie to them.

Maybe there's nothing worse... but a GOOD drummer with an ego is certainly on the same level (to me)...

SUSTAINED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and i do agree with the principle of the originator of this topic. . . we should encourage others as often and as much as possible. i just choose to be completely honest with the props that i give.

[drummin4JC]

Theres nothing worse than a bad drummer with an ego!

ohh mann.! if there is one thing i hate its that (above me). i have seen that plenty of times... i truely dispise that i really do!!!!!

[EricT]

 I just can't stand clowns....that's what i call em clowns....the ego is bigger then thier heads.