hockeylifer
01-16-2010, 10:56 AM
Hello All:
I'm a drummer by hobby and not by profession, but I've been playing on-and-off since 1987. I'm 39 years old and while I wouldn't consider myself a beginner, I'm definitely not a Buddy Rich or (insert your favorite drummer).
At this point in my life I drum purely because it's fun as hell. In a way, drumming is like therapy to me. I can feel overworked because of my job; or overwhelmed thinking about future bills, for instance, or whatever. However, the minute the sticks are in my hands and my headphones are on--BOOM--I'm in a whole different space.
Now you can call that escapism or attach anything negative to it if you want, but it's all good. Drumming just makes me happier, and it makes me a better dad and husband; a better co-worker; a better neighbor and friend. Hell, the rest of the world could learn a lot from us drummers. They think most of us our crazy but we're actually just generally happy people and we're not afraid to show it. And (big generalization) we're egoless as far as musicians/artists go. We share information and show each other tips and tricks. Think guitarists do that?
Anyway, a little more about myself and then I can ask questions because I've introduced and shared "real" info/thoughts about myself.
Eighteen months ago my wife and I became parents for the first time. It's been amazing and a learning experience every second of the way--as I'm completely new to being around children of any age. Sitting behind the drum set with my son is such a magical experience because its a tradition (in one form or another) that goes back to the dawn of man. I'm just an average guy living an average life, but yet this connection that we all have as drummers to something primal that we can't even understand the depth of it.
I will close with this...early man (and women) used rocks and sticks as their drums--now we are using acoustic and electric drums--but the one thing that is constant is that we play because the power of drumming is healing, and its fun as hell.
Glad to meet everyone,
Thom
P.S. I own a Simmons e-kit which is simply not up to par and would welcome suggestions from anyone on buying a new kit. I'm spending between $1,000 to $3,500. I've gotten some good suggestions from the good folks on vdrums.com (forum), and look forward to learning and sharing on this board as well.
I'm a drummer by hobby and not by profession, but I've been playing on-and-off since 1987. I'm 39 years old and while I wouldn't consider myself a beginner, I'm definitely not a Buddy Rich or (insert your favorite drummer).
At this point in my life I drum purely because it's fun as hell. In a way, drumming is like therapy to me. I can feel overworked because of my job; or overwhelmed thinking about future bills, for instance, or whatever. However, the minute the sticks are in my hands and my headphones are on--BOOM--I'm in a whole different space.
Now you can call that escapism or attach anything negative to it if you want, but it's all good. Drumming just makes me happier, and it makes me a better dad and husband; a better co-worker; a better neighbor and friend. Hell, the rest of the world could learn a lot from us drummers. They think most of us our crazy but we're actually just generally happy people and we're not afraid to show it. And (big generalization) we're egoless as far as musicians/artists go. We share information and show each other tips and tricks. Think guitarists do that?
Anyway, a little more about myself and then I can ask questions because I've introduced and shared "real" info/thoughts about myself.
Eighteen months ago my wife and I became parents for the first time. It's been amazing and a learning experience every second of the way--as I'm completely new to being around children of any age. Sitting behind the drum set with my son is such a magical experience because its a tradition (in one form or another) that goes back to the dawn of man. I'm just an average guy living an average life, but yet this connection that we all have as drummers to something primal that we can't even understand the depth of it.
I will close with this...early man (and women) used rocks and sticks as their drums--now we are using acoustic and electric drums--but the one thing that is constant is that we play because the power of drumming is healing, and its fun as hell.
Glad to meet everyone,
Thom
P.S. I own a Simmons e-kit which is simply not up to par and would welcome suggestions from anyone on buying a new kit. I'm spending between $1,000 to $3,500. I've gotten some good suggestions from the good folks on vdrums.com (forum), and look forward to learning and sharing on this board as well.