Is there ever a time to let it go? (for older players)

[j_kay]

can we see so pictures of your gear

LOL!!!

[THE WOLFMAN]

DAAAAAANG, DA VULCHAZ....

[dude-on-drums]

I would like to propose a new MAN LAW!!!  A man must never write a poem to another man.  I mean, encouragement is good, generally speaking, but from one man to another, dont do it in rhyme.     Thats just soft.  Cake like.  All in favor say aye!


And for those of you who dont know what Im talking about...

B

When things go wrong as they sometimes will.
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill.
When funds are low and the debts are high.
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit.
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns.
As everyone of us sometimes learns.
And many a failure turns about.
When he might have won had he stuck it out:
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow –
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out –
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are.
It may be near when it seems so far:
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit –
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

 

[JrDADrumma]

I would like to propose a new MAN LAW!!!  A man must never write a poem to another man.  I mean, encouragement is good, generally speaking, but from one man to another, dont do it in rhyme.     Thats just soft.  Cake like.  All in favor say aye!


And for those of you who dont know what Im talking about...



 

AYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bigblackdrummer]

Lately I have been dong some soul searching, and trying to come to some decisions.  I have stressed in many posts about my style of playing which is mostly groove based.  I have been playing the last 29 years and actively pursuing a professional career for the last 13+ years, and nothing has happened yet.  I have had many brushes with greatness and opportunities that I thought were my big break.  But now politics seem to rule the industry(even gospel) and sadly it's even trickled into our churches.  Basically in my area, "chops" have pretty much taken over drumming as it pertains to live playing.  I've been overlooked and even replaced in some situations because that is not my style. 

It seems as if the gigs have dried up for me, and the calls have stopped coming.  Plus I've also lost some of the passion that I had for other reasons.  Today's drumming to me has become something that I do not wish to conform to.  I'm not in it to impress anybody or be a star, it's just something that I love(d) to do.  I'm not necessarily coming down on the young cats, but a part of me is really considering selling all of my stuff and try to concentrate on writing and producing, and playing the bass.  If I get the bug again ,then I'll just buy some more stuff and try it again.  My question is, have any of you been in the same situation or given it up?  Is there ever a time to give it up?  I thank God for the abilities that I have been given, but I've been trying hard and I've had faith and put in the work.  I don't think I can do this anymore.

I've enjoyed passing on props, advice, and constructive criticisms to those that appreciated what I've had to say, and I'm here to help anybody in any way that I can.  Maybe that's what I'm meant to do instead.         

My first question is then why only pursue a gospel music career!? Maybe your place is in the Christian Contemporary market! Just because your black does not mean you have to stick to or just play gospel!!!

Second Question is are you sure the problem is your lack of flash? Be real! The problem might just be you! Whack playing and or stank attitude can keep gigs far from you.

Man if you're really hungry to win you would practise and evolve and stop complaining!!! Producers are going to change so you change for the producers!!!

[Audiocr381ve]

I would like to propose a new MAN LAW!!!  A man must never write a poem to another man.  I mean, encouragement is good, generally speaking, but from one man to another, dont do it in rhyme.     Thats just soft.  Cake like.  All in favor say aye!


And for those of you who dont know what Im talking about...



 

Dang can't a man be sensitive anymore! 

What BBD said might be true. Maybe being a "groove player" is an excuse for your lack of creativity. I don't know the circumstances, but I really don't see myself ever getting replaced because I play pocket to much. Because I make sure to keep it fresh while I'm grabbing lint ya hearD? 

Maybe you have blind spots in your playing that's not getting you the right gigs.

[bigblackdrummer]

My first question is then why only pursue a gospel music career!? Maybe your place is in the Christian Contemporary market! Just because your black does not mean you have to stick to or just play gospel!!!

Second Question is are you sure the problem is your lack of flash? Be real! The problem might just be you! Whack playing and or stank attitude can keep gigs far from you.

Man if you're really hungry to win you would practise and evolve and stop complaining!!! Producers are going to change so you change for the producers!!!

OOPs I ment to say "Producers arnt going to change so you have to change for the producers!!!

But agreed, Ive never heard of anyone losing a gig for being a pocket drummer! In fact they get most of the work!!!

[Jedi3]

I would like to propose a new MAN LAW!!!  A man must never write a poem to another man.  I mean, encouragement is good, generally speaking, but from one man to another, dont do it in rhyme.     Thats just soft.  Cake like.  All in favor say aye!

First, I didn't write the poem.  Second, there's a lot of folk here who know where that poem comes from and if you were one of them, you would know that there's nothing soft about it.  Finally, the only thing "cake like" on here is you, Miss Kevin.  You look so sweet curled up with Mr. Jimbo in that picture.  Does he make you feel pretty?

[E.R.]

I haven't been playing as long as you (18y), but what I can say is that trends in music is a way of life.  There is no way around this.  For example, you mentioned some time ago that you can tell a specific era based on how the drums are tuned.  I'm certain that there were a lot of drummers that did not care for the sound of the drums being muffled to the high heavens, but that was a sound that the producer required.  The same thing can be applied to an employment venture that you're seeking to attain.  If there are requirements that are needed to be considered for employment, you can't say "Well, I'm going to be me and if they don't like it, oh well".  No - you're going to acquire the knowledge and skills that the potential employer is looking for so that they will consider you as a strong candidate for the position that you've applied for. 

What's wrong with conforming to what the producer/band leader/etc., wants?  You've already been playing long enough to have an identity in your playing.  My inference from your statement of  and indicates that you do not wish to be a musical chameleon.  Greats like Vinnie Colaiuta, Dennis Chambers, Billy Cobham, Dave Weckl, etc. has shown their willingness to become a chameleon within their musical landscape.  To further explain my example, look at Vinnie Colaiuta.  We are all aware of his musical prowess on the drumset when it comes to doing mind boggling fills.  Not every musical opportunity/gig that he's on requires him to play that way.  Those musical opportunities are those times in which the producer wants a deep pocket from the drummer.  Let's just assume that he doesn't want to play pocket - he wants to apply some crazy bust 'yo brain type of fills, but he realizes that he was called by the producer to recreate a specific sound that he is looking for.  The key word here is required.  'Chops' doesn't define you as a player (your pocket does); you're only doing what's needed to fill the requirements.  The same thing applies for your situation.  If you want to get called, you should - no need to be a musical chameleon.  I hope that you don't feel like you're selling out, because you're not.  You're just moving along with the trend.  It's like today's drummers are a flowing river (performing the necessary 'chops' that is required for the musical opportunity/gig), and you're being the stale, stagnant puddle of water (refusing to perform the necessary 'chops' that is required to be considered for the musical opportunity/gig).  If you don't know how to perform those crazy chops, learn them.  Go to the woodshed and get your practice on.  If you do know how to perform those crazy chops, show them off - the worst that can happen is that you'd be considered/hired for those musical opportunities/gig.  Isn't that what you want? 

If it's that bad, do your own 'detoxification' and put together your own band to get together to jam out on weekends.  This way, you all can get together and perform playing that will require a deep pocket and no crazy fills/'chops'.  If you don't have the passion for it (in general), I also agree with dude-on-drums: move on.  Wouldn't you feel better playing music that you cannot be honest with, it won't be worth playing or listening to.  I'm sure that you'd agree. 


Bottom line: It's either sink (refuse to play the required 'chops'), swim (play the required 'chops' to get the musical opportunities/gigs) or walk away (quit and pursue other musical ventures), man.  The choice is up to you - only you know what you want to do.

Wowza. Yet another solved by Detective j_kay.

[dude-on-drums]

Finally, the only thing "cake like" on here is you, Miss Kevin.  You look so sweet curled up with Mr. Jimbo in that picture.  Does he make you feel pretty?

You know, I cant lie.  I think we are the cutest couple, me and my Akira!      

[JFunky]

"Life is queer with its twists and turns." 

[JrDADrumma]

"Life is queer with its twists and turns." 

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dude-on-drums]

"Life is queer with its twists and turns." 

What are you doing J???  I tried to ignore that part as much as possible!    Now look what youve done!  

[JFunky]

Go ahead...JUMP!!! Your pocket sucks anyway! lol!

...dude, that right there is Classic.  The pic' is the hardest thing. LOL

...that's like M.L.K. II's pic' with "I have a dream" on it. LOL

[dude-on-drums]

...dude, that right there is Classic.  The pic' is the hardest thing. LOL

...that's like M.L.K. II's pic' with "I have a dream" on it. LOL

    

[JFunky]

Black Males that stood/stand for TRUTH!!!!




"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it."
         - Martin Luther King, Jr.





"I believe in the brotherhood of man, all men, but I don't believe in brotherhood with anybody who doesn't want brotherhood with me. I believe in treating people right, but I'm not going to waste my time trying to treat somebody right who doesn't know how to return the treatment." - Malcom X
- Speech, Dec. 12 1964, New York City





"Yes there is a time to quit and it sounds like your time is now.

You have to naturally want to play the drums, for yourself.  Not because of the lime light.  Not because of the pay check.  And certainly not because of what everyone else is or isn't doing. 

So if I were you, I would quit the drums and move on to a part of music that you are genuinely interested in.  Like you said, there are other pieces to the puzzle, writing, producing, playing the bass.  Whatever you do, do it well and do it for yourself first, cause if you're not happy doing it, we wont be happy listening to it!"
- Drumma-Sheen (Kev.) LGM Drum Forum  January 09, 2008

[j_kay]

And down!!! 

[dude-on-drums]

Black Males that stood/stand for TRUTH!!!!




"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it."
         - Martin Luther King, Jr.





"I believe in the brotherhood of man, all men, but I don't believe in brotherhood with anybody who doesn't want brotherhood with me. I believe in treating people right, but I'm not going to waste my time trying to treat somebody right who doesn't know how to return the treatment." - Malcom X
- Speech, Dec. 12 1964, New York City





"Yes there is a time to quit and it sounds like your time is now.

You have to naturally want to play the drums, for yourself.  Not because of the lime light.  Not because of the pay check.  And certainly not because of what everyone else is or isn't doing. 

So if I were you, I would quit the drums and move on to a part of music that you are genuinely interested in.  Like you said, there are other pieces to the puzzle, writing, producing, playing the bass.  Whatever you do, do it well and do it for yourself first, cause if you're not happy doing it, we wont be happy listening to it!"
- Drumma-Sheen (Kev.) LGM Drum Forum  January 09, 2008

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!      Jfunky you need to go see 3rd-Day cause I think you won something...he was handing out awards in the middle of the "LGM Exclusive" thread!!!  Too funny!  Dude youre on something else!  HA ha haaaa!

[drummin4JC]

Black Males that stood/stand for TRUTH!!!!




"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it."
         - Martin Luther King, Jr.





"I believe in the brotherhood of man, all men, but I don't believe in brotherhood with anybody who doesn't want brotherhood with me. I believe in treating people right, but I'm not going to waste my time trying to treat somebody right who doesn't know how to return the treatment." - Malcom X
- Speech, Dec. 12 1964, New York City





"Yes there is a time to quit and it sounds like your time is now.

You have to naturally want to play the drums, for yourself.  Not because of the lime light.  Not because of the pay check.  And certainly not because of what everyone else is or isn't doing. 

So if I were you, I would quit the drums and move on to a part of music that you are genuinely interested in.  Like you said, there are other pieces to the puzzle, writing, producing, playing the bass.  Whatever you do, do it well and do it for yourself first, cause if you're not happy doing it, we wont be happy listening to it!"
- Drumma-Sheen (Kev.) LGM Drum Forum  January 09, 2008

LMBO!!!!!!!!!!!!! my gosh im laughing so hard that my ribs hurt!!!!!!!! my family kept asking me why i keep laughing!!!! dude that is hilarious!!!!!!                                                               

[JFunky]

...I laughed at this junk myself after I posted it.