How do you rate yourself?

CJB...I completely agree. North Texas ruined my image of my playing. I was in the 8 and the 6, but there were still so many guys there that I admired. I went from watching Carlock and Greg Beck to Ari Hoenig and Adam Gust...crazy.

Ok Pocket & Derek, I take your points and maybe I was a bit hasty in my reply, but the idea of grading oneself just doesn't do it and for me, misses the point of why we (or I) play the drums.

I do however take your and Franks point about apprasing ourselves shall we say. Sometimes you feel like you played your arse off and everything 'sat' and felt really good, other times we feel like we should be working in Pizza Hut, rather than playing the drums!!

But I still maintain that awarding yourself A+'s for your playing or just because the other musicians smiled at you isn't cool and certainly ain't where I'm coming from. What if they were smiling coz they thought you weren't cutting it and wanted to encourage you? That happens too and is what makes what we do so utterly personal.

I think this topic is pretty relevant in each of our respective journey's to better ourselves as muscians.

The group I'm with now usually videotapes our gigs. I find this an invaluable tool for growth. It not only shows me what I can be doing better, but also, confirms what is working well. That which is working well, I strive to make repeatable.

Lately, I've been noticing, that when I have control over song tempos, it has a better shot of grooving than when others take control. Their general tendency is start things off too fast and as a result sometimes the groove suffers.

I;d like to review these performances with my band and see if we can't come to some consensus as to which are the "correct" tempos for each song.

I'm also working on consistency. For me, I'm in a Pop situation, I am generally striving to get a more consistent kick and snare volume and balance thing going.

As far as rating goes, if I had to grade my last two performances? The first one would be a B and the last one a C. But I am never satisfied with my playing.

Yeah, grease. I can relate. I got up & played in front of the Vinmonster in a small master class when I was 19 or so. I played a nanigo, & he "gave me some pointers"...Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie - & Hello, Humble-"... ;c)

Much better that time, Dazz! ;cP
[We don't need another poster like i did in the Belucci topic...] [img]frown.gif[/img] [img]redface.gif[/img]
[img]wink.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 07, 2005 11:34 AM: Message edited by: got_a_matchgrip? ]</font>

Nice, GP.

I find that, in a situation where another instrumentalist doesn't have the greatest time, as in, like you mentioned, the "starting off rushing" thing, which many folks tend to do live, is to have a beforehand agreement that you the drummer [you're in the Driver's Seat!] begins the tune w a subtle audivle or visible count off via metronome device; tempos agreed on by entire band beforehand. Keep subtle time w your foot or hand on HH, if nec. If no click, i feel it's better to take a deep breath, overcome any excitement AKA tendency to rush, & take the chance on starting a LITTLE slower & "phatter" than everyone might be feeling ATT, as you can always slightly increase the tempo, as opp to having to slow down & thus drag the tune's vibe & cause a potential meter train wreck. Lesser of the 2 evils!

Each & every band member should know & be comf with the tempos of the setlist tunes. There might be rare occasions wher this may understandably not be the case, but it should be the overall norm. Everyone's responsibilty is the time. When not, it needs to be in the hands of the most capable time player, which is [or, should be!] the drummer.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 07, 2005 12:01 PM: Message edited by: got_a_matchgrip? ]</font>

I think the ideal is to be able to hear yourself for exactly what you are. Most of the time what we 'hear' isn't really what we sound like. Recording yourself whenever possible is uber valuable, and you shouldn't wait TOO long to review the recording. It's interesting that sometimes what you THINK was a good performance will reveal itself to be sub-par while other times you may feel that you 'BLEW IT', and yet when reviewing the recording you may find a spark or something to the contrary.

Well, I know I am not a great drummer. I don't have those kinds of chops. But honestly, that doesn't bother me as much as one might think.

(I mean, if I could push a button and be as good as DW, or VC, or any of those guys I would in a second -- or even if I could push a button that would give me that potential, I would, it is just that it isn't what I pine for.)

But, I know I am pretty good at keeping time (better now than when I was younger).

And, I believe that I have a pretty good feel for the music (better now than when I was younger).

And, I know that when I am playing with other musicians that I am just very thankful that I am good enough to be playing with them. [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

"I was just wondering how it is that you judge your own performance. What things make a great performance and what things make for a lousy performance?"

Good questions Frank.

Here are a few questions that I try to answer when I play:

1) Did I set up a comfortable environment for my bandmates to play well?

2) Did I set up a challenging environment for my bandmates to play better than they think they can?

3) Did I play in such a way that I was responsive to the musical leadings of others on the stage?

4) Did I communicate well enough so that others were following me through various emotional stages of the tunes?

5) Did I play soft enough for everyone to hear themselves well and loud enough so that no one got lost?

6) Did I know the forms/phrases/breaks of the song?

7) Did the audience get in on the communication on stage? Did they experience something really enjoyable, creative and perhaps pleasantly unexpected?

Whilst I love the drums and can't stop tapping on something (every freakin' day) I will NEVER be satisfied with my playing.

Friends/colleagues/spouses will always give support and praise but the one fact remains - I'm far too self critical. I would never post anything here with samples of my playing after hearing some of the excellent stuff from you guys (sheesh).

I feel that, overall, drummers are a fairly insecure bunch.

Andy-

Awesome Post! Thank you.

Ashnio-

I find that all musicians are insecure with themselves. There is definitely a bad way to be introspective, if it leads you to want to quit. But if it leads to you doing some healthy reflection, it can only produce positive results.

I don't remember who was talking about the necessity of a metronome, but having that has truly helped the bands that I participate in. I own a Tama Rhythm Watch and I totally love it. That takes away one part that I am likely to be critical about in any given set.

Keep it coming guys.

Take Care All. F.S.