The joy of making music...

[SBdrumz]

Just wanted to relate a little 'feel good' experience that happened to me last night, but first, a little background on me.

I've lived in Columbia, SC all my life. I started drum lessons in the fourth grade, participated in band all the way through middle and high school, did the all-state band and jazz band thing, and attended the University of South Carolina. I studied with Jim Hall (NOT the guitar player!!), and participated in the USC jazz program under the tutelage of Roger Pemberton, John Serry, and Bert Ligon. I majored in Business Admin, and thus entered the 'normal' work force upon graduating. I play weekend gigs in a variety band with my wife and sub with various musicians in Columbia in various styles of music: small combos/big band/80's rock/funk... a little bit of everything. I guess you could say that I'm a weekend 'hack'.

Anyways....
I got a call a couple of weeks ago from a very nice man whom I'd never met. He needed me to sub for him at our local Senior Center for their Friday evening get together. He'd gotten my number from the head of a local big band that I've subbed in periodically. I was available, and having never met him nor the keyboard player, and having only minimally worked with the sax and bass players, I told him I could do it.

He went on to warn me that it payed a minimum of $50, but that he thought I'd really enjoy it. I replied that I love playing with new musicians when I had the chance, and to not worry about it.

So Friday night I show up, not really knowing what to expect. At age 35, i was HALF the age of the other guys. The crowd was modest (83 ppl i think, which was a decent turnout by their standards). As the night wore on, we played the usual fare: standards, waltzes, beach music (in south carolina, our beach music is sort of an r+b swing thing; the dance is called "the shag"), and the obligatory 'Electic Slide'. So, the tunes were basically the same worn-out crap that us weekenders usually get stuck with rehashing.

However, working with these gentlemen was SUCH a pleasure. They took such great pride in creating music. They weren't preoccupied with licks/technique/showmanship, they just enjoyed playing music. And the crowd was SO appreciative: they danced continuosly, the applauded, they came up to the stand to say thanks, and some even offered to help me with my equipment! Hell, one grandmotherly-type even asked if I was married!!

I've never had more fun 'chopping wood' for 3 hours. The smiles on their faces, and the enjoyment they were experiencing reminded me of what this stuff is all about. And they were SO complementary of my playing, saying stuff like "you play the feel of the tunes more authentically than our regular drummer (who is 89, btw!)". Of course, when they gave me a chorus in One O'clock jump, I did have to blow a couple of blushdas! [img]wink.gif[/img]

I know this post is too d$mn long winded and sentimental...Just wanted to share!!

Oh yeah...I made 62 bucks! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

-Scott

[Dazzler]

However, working with these gentlemen was SUCH a pleasure. They took such great pride in creating music. They weren't preoccupied with licks/technique/showmanship, they just enjoyed playing music. And the crowd was SO appreciative:
......... I've never had more fun 'chopping wood' for 3 hours

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">What a lovely post. I think you've hit the proverbial nail on the proverbial head!! Well said. The whole point of your post is that you simply played the MUSIC. It was a specific gig: for people to DANCE to, not a listening gig and you played exactly what was required.

Good for you, glad you got such a buzz from it. I had exactly the same experience last night with a 10 piece Frank Sinatra swing band. People were dancing and any more than chopping the odd plank of wood (!) and playing stylistically correct would have made the band feel uncomfortable as well as the guests who were trying to dance too!

Well said SB [img]biggrin.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/music.gif[/img]

[Dazzler]

BUMP!!! Everyone who responed to the recent Buddy post should read SB's post and then ask what the point of asking if Vinnie is better than Buddy or if Virgil has faster toes than Thomas!!

Then Re-read the recent Vinnie interview from Robert and see how many times he talks about playing for the MUSIC and not the EGO.

[img]cool.gif[/img]

[Greaseleg]

What a great post.SB, I don't want to distract from what you posted, but Dazzler, I wanted to let you know, I've turned several friends onto this forum (which I normally don't post on, just read) based mostly on the posts you, Erskine, and a few others put on here that I continually find inspirational and very honest. Thanks for that and keep doing it!

[Dazzler]

Thank you so much for that, it's very sweet of you GL. [img]redface.gif[/img] [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

[Suspiria]

Wonderful post SB. That sounds like a truly great experience. The feeling you described seems so obvious, but it takes gigs like those to really make you realise: "This is why I enjoy playing music!". The endless process of shedding rudiments/licks/certain tunes (practicing in general) can be so consuming that you forget what drumming "should" be about.

[mwm]

Good post/good thread. And so true. [img]cool.gif[/img]

[ashio nz]

Nice story with a happy ending! Very cool.

Actually, I had a gig on the weekend for a birthday/'house warming' that our band did. Even though it was for a (much) reduced fee & we ended up playing for about 6 1/2 hours (!), I really enjoyed it. Everyone got drunk except the drummer...

Things like that often result in more work too which is always nice.