The Surprising Reason Mastering The Drums is So Hard

[@oreoandoz7723]

Exactly. The toxic side of social media is that it fosters "competitive comparison culture." We should not forget that being a drummer is not just about being a drummer - it's about making music.

[@8020drummer]

but the other side is that competition pushes you to be better, so if you want to be great you probably have to dance with it. That paradox is what the whole video is about.

[@rstoeckler]

@@8020drummer 10:24 ... did you ever compare hi class football (soccer) games from the 70s to today? this push in excellence is found everywhere in our lives and society, propably caused by access to knowledge, teachers, technologie... we are standing on the shoulders of giants. to be honest your greatest success in life will possibly be this channel, embrace it! are you a good drummer? good enought for what? just keep it up and enjoy while it lasts... hope you don't choke to death on your own vomit in the back of a car too early. It's just a game... Listen to Alan Watts & chill man XD

[@bbj7383]

One of my new favorite drum videos. Nate you bring the philosophy to the drums and have a unique perspective that's so worth hearing. Your message speaks directly to me personally, especially after over 30 years of playing and part of that semi-pro. At some point you have to specialize and then find your sound. I'm on that journey within the scope of playing covers... Which is a challenge within itself. It's an interesting, frustrating (similar to working out) but fun endeavor to see your progress over years. Your absolutely bang on about the obsession... I call it the hunger. If I don't play nearly everyday I get the hunger and it just has to be satiated.

[@Poeme340]

Agreed-just make music, first and foremost-the music you hear in your own head-believe in it. Individuality will gradually follow as will improved technique. Jack DeJohnette once said something to the effect that his “style” is simply to listen carefully and deeply to the music his bandmates are making and then respond intuitively-not “thinking”. We all have idols but we all gotta do our own thing.🤷🏻

[@NathanSletner]

These are the videos I care about most. As you well know by now, I spend way too much time thinking about this stuff, so seeing someone else troubling themselves over the minute details of what it takes to be great, and then attempting to articulate those minutia to the world is kind of calming.

[@8020drummer]

you're too kind! And you're also an avatar to me that someone can get to an elite level with hard work and discipline. The way you've leveled up in recent years is pretty amazing

[@christopherjobe2260]

My favorite 80/20 video yet! The most valuable lesson videos aren’t always about rudiments 😎

[@markus_selloi]

Darapiddle

[@ML-jk3sz]

I used to be obsessed with being the best drummer in my area. I did achieve that and I have done a ton of session work and belong to an agency out of Philly. One day something clicked for me that said, playing a million beats a minute is boring and annoying to most people. The only people that really appreciate a billion chops are other drummers. I decided I would never overplay again and only play for the music. Guess what, I found people appreciate a drummer that plays a killer tight pocket over a million hits. Take Jeff Porcaro for example. The dude was one of the most sought after drummers for years simply because he had a killer pocket and only played tasty fills ONLY when it felt right but he never overplayed. In the context of a song, being a tight drummer is the ONLY thing that matters.

[@joe1645]

Right sure but you realize its from taking away what you are potentially capable of playing to leave what's raw and bare as opposed to being technically limited to play simply. Without the capacity for those chops those drummers would be moot. Its what they don't say not what they are incapable of saying..

[@justinlanders2672]

This is the conclusion I came to. There are so many incredible drummers, and I'm not going to catch them. But the average Joe listener has no clue what's going on there anyway. Non-drumming musicians have no clue, either. Chops and deep skills ARE amazing, but only to other drummers. Nobody else even comprehends what's happening. Tight pockets and consistency is all they notice.

[@YOUARESOFT.]

i on the other hand find playing a million beats per minute in fact not boring at all actually

[@ML-jk3sz]

@@YOUARESOFT. Totally your choice.

[@sega.milkis]

Depends on the genre and style. Chops are awesome and extreme metal as well.

[@mattdadrumme]

Matt from NZ here. I'm 46 started drumming at 11. I'm good, not amazing. I've held it down with live bands and recorded albums in different styles (No they didn't sell but that's not the point). Basically I'm not flash but I have decent feel and get the job done. I had weekly lessons for maybe 4 years, played in local bands, and was lazy when it came to practicing properly. For at least the first 5 years I thought I'd never be as good as that 'talented' local kid, let alone my heroes. However I kept at it. I would play the drums and tap things obsessively, and jammed with friends as much as I could. In my late teens through sheer perseverance I started sounding not bad, good enough to be asked to join bands that could get a gig. In my early 20's confidence was growing, it was time to head to Melbourne Australia to immerse myself in the music scene. I thought my timing was good, then as I began to get involved in recording I learned a humbling lesson. There is a huge difference between keeping 'natural' time with your buddies jamming out, and being able to fluently express yourself in a 'professional' environment playing to a click. It sucked and I felt shit, I had taken the lazy route and now I was paying for it. Good enough was not in fact good enough. It took me 10 years to learn that, then I had to work harder to undo my shitty habits. Don't be a Matt, if you do actually give a shit then pay attention to your teachers and practice WITH TIME. If I had spent even a hour a day for the last 35 years doing proper practice with a metronome I would be a f'n animal by now. Also a relevant side note, you will not become a world class musician by indulging in all the potential BS. Drugs, sex and fashion won't get you there, trust me I tried that too. A much harder lesson than "my timing is shit" is "I spent 30 years pursuing the right dream in the wrong way..."

[@justinloosbrock6436]

The best thing about 80/20 is that after watching a few videos, I actually want to go play or practice. Just for the joy of it.

[@henne2k]

When I was 15 (realy 90´s) I was one of the best rudimental Drummers I knew in a very wide area in Germany. I don´t think Kids get this anymore, but it was an important lesson. It felt obviously great to be „on the top“. I laughed one time when some player from another group wanted my signature. But on the other hand it was hard to get new impulses. New Challenges or someone who told you „you have to do it this way to get better“ I sucked up everything. Now I´m a Percussionist and teach students. I always have my past „in my bag“ and try to give them more than I had. One other side of social media is, that the junglings get bored by great content. You can send them bonham, tony royster, jojo, 80/20,... And they don´t even remember if they watched it. Thats a frustration that is not on many minds. I love your work. Keep it up Nate!!

[@toddbernstein3407]

I can relate to that work/life balance. I'm approaching my mid-50s. At this point in my life, I just want to keep my chops up, learn new things for my own benefit, and play with others when I can. In short, it's more for my own enjoyment. By the way, I enjoy this type of video. It's healthy to have discussions like this.

[@darinwood2183]

I can relate! I’m 62. I play in a rock band with guys that may be 20 years younger but mentally I still feel like I’m 29

[@ddbeats632]

There was a moment a while back: I was at a theatre production of Glengarry Glen Ross and the sound design was ALL drums…fast, frenetic, fiercely creative solo jazz drums. This was shortly after the movie Birdman came out so the composer was probably hitting that trend. Anyway I ran down the program and it turned out a buddy of mine was listed as the sound designer. Now, I used to get calls from him to do sessions for EXACTLY this kind of thing and at this time I had taken quite a long time out of playing and was definitely not in the scene at all. I was initially kinda bummed and then thought “ahh well, he didn’t call me for this session and whoever THIS guy is he’s WAY BETTER THAN ME, so fair game”. I quickly reconciled the reality check and sent a txt to my guy the sound designer. “Hey man nice stuff in Glenngary Glen Ross” He replied “Thanks man…who do you reckon the drummer is?” I then replied with a few names of guys around that I thought sounded THAT GOOD. He replied “It’s you dickhead” I called him at the end of the show and as it turned out the director of the show had changed his mind mid tech and my guy had to use some old stock recordings to get on the Birdman trend. It was stuff I had recorded with him in a studio in South Korea a year or two previous. Anyway, from that point onwards I stopped worrying about how I sounded and started enjoying the fact that whatever I was doing I was doing something ok. I managed to hear myself in a truly objective way without knowing it was me and I really liked myself.

[@scottmitchell555]

THANK YOU for taking the time and your resources to make this video, as I can TOTALLY relate. On a mission, but it's my own :-)

[@maxwelkus]

Thanks for the video. I think I’m taking the “tortoise” route myself, and your videos and courses help me focus the smaller amount of time I have to practice. Even with 30-90 minutes a day, I can track my own progress and feel confident in my playing. I just want to be as good as I can be without being a full time musician.

[@HiFisch94]

I wish I'd be able to average more than 30m a day 😅 But I still feel a lot of difference every month of playing. It's crazy what a few new ideas (for example watching these videos), a good practice regimen and recording myself did to my playing

[@skinfiddler]

Being past the 70 mark in life, most of my drumming apart from teaching, is attempting to (as best as I can ) maintain skills and not to think about "glory days" or expect too much and gig when I can

[@glenspringle7337]

I like your introspective, psychology, say-what-ur-thinking approach...I'm sure it's edited but it looks like it is inside you...spilling out into honest content

[@markcampbelldrummer]

Brilliant observation and insight...!!!!

[@markcampbelldrummer]

....Excellent!

[@schlagzeugvideocoach]

Man this video is great - thank you Nate! As a pro drummer from Germany I can relate to so many things. The hardest thing is to keep the obsession, to balance out every role in your life (which is different to everyone of us, of course). And to stick to yourself! I write this after about 8 hours of working in my little home studio and trying to improve my drum mix. If I think about how much time, money and effort (and love...) I put into my KZbin channel for drummers in German - my life is probably too short for getting it back and earn the big, big money! 😜 BUT: It was worth every second. I got better at playing, business, teaching, mixing and so on. It's of course work in progress, but I'm on track. Not every day and not always sure about it - but on the way! So - really thank you for this video and all the work and love you put in your videos and drumming! Love the podcast too and you earned everything you achieved! Keep it up and groovin' - Greetings from Germany and all the best! ❤🥁☮

[@efafe4972]

I've been watching you for years and you've truly gotten so much better. Cleaner time, more refined touch, faster, more vocab, and more powerful. your videos about what separates us from the greats years ago really opened my eyes and gave me the reality check I needed. im still not where I want to be but you've helped me improve exponentially to the point where im better than a lot of ppl I looked up to so thank you for that. these conversations need to happen more often

[@JungGravy]

Thank you! As someone who isn't trying to become a chopper, but just wants to groove and throw in the occassional "oh shit" when the music asks for it, I really appreciate you taking time to validate this journey. I think reminders like this can be just as important as exercise guidance

[@onesyphorus]

1:23 getting good as a PARENT . WHILE RAISING A KID! thats next level

[@aaronhayman8558]

I think being an amazing chopsmeister and getting to show off your skills at every opportunity you have behind the drum kit is one way to get some satisfaction out of drumming. Another way, though, is to collaborate with others to create music that isn't necessarily designed to show off fancy chops, but is meant to make an original statement and to be beautifully composed. Then it's less about gaining chops to show off with and more about how to sustain the mood of the music you're playing. I always want to improve my chops, but at the same time, I'm not obsessed with showing off chops (which is a good thing becuase I'm not all that technically advanced!). What I really want to accomplish is to collaborate with others to play music that I would actually enjoy listening to. These days, I'm less interested in listening to music that seems to put a high priority on showing off the player's chops. I want to feel the mood of what folks are doing and go to a place I haven't been when I listen to the music. Music to me is a kind of drug, and I'm more interested in the effects it can produce, rather than being aware of the craft of how it's made...

[@nicholaswise5818]

I love this video!!!! Great summary of so many thoughts I've had.

[@brianchristiansen3828]

Solid essay, Nate. Keep doing your thing, even if just to piss off the haters.

[@earthjustice01]

I love your videos Nate, and I've been playing drums for about sixty years. For me drumming is life, life is drumming. I practice every day, and lately it's all about fluidity between and around the drums. I also started playing tuned percussion in the middle of the pandemic, and I think it's helped me sound more melodic on the set. Lucky to be in a blues band, also I lead a drum circle at the local nursing home - even the elderly love drumming! I miss community band which folded in our town a year ago. The thing about drums is it involves your entire body. It's moving your whole body - it's like dancing and sitting at the same time - I've always loved drumming.

[@bishopoftroy]

Nate i think this is your best video yet. You`re focusing more on yourself than on others so it makes it more relatable. One thing i would add is that life is not that short and people often seem to forget that in a lifetime one can put a gargantuan body of work into something but it just takes time. And that`s alright, it should take time and it should be more about the process than checkpoints.

[@learnngwell]

Golden. Your insights here are subtle yet profound. Yes, it’s the paradox, or maybe countless paradoxes: obsession, calmness, healthy comparison, awareness of weaknesses, focus on precision, acceptance of my flaws, enjoyment of my own personal journey, discipline to take myself where I want to go, for however long it takes to get there. These seemingly disparate concepts needn’t be contradictory (and certainly not controversial). They’re each vital ingredients in this gourmet dish I’m cooking up, even when I’m only cooking for one. Thank you, Nate.

[@nickrails]

Great video

[@DrumKinnunen]

now THIS is what resonates! I've been spending a lot of time lately just thinking about these things a bit too much. It all eats away the creativity and the ability to make beautiful music. It's sooooo important to talk about all this stuff, the mental side of drumming, the different aspects of life as a drummer, and so on. There are countless ways to play the drums, and trusting your own voice and vision is not always easy with all the pressure going on. Being a drummer is being a musician, and being a musician is being a human. Thank you for speaking about all this. This was a great video.

[@TheMixtape11]

Hi, I caught this and just wanted to thank you for your down to earth and honest approach to this issue. I know that it isn't easy at any level , to deal with wanting to be better and all of the things that get in the way of getting into the woodshed, or playing out etc. I am very glad I came across your channel early in my playing (I am headed into just my third year) and I have to say that your body of work has really been a great guide to getting in, practicing and finding new ways to challenge and develop my stuff. I still SUCK! I'm fifty now, I know there is a ceiling to where I can get (or a better way to say it, I am eminently aware of the end we all face) but I go in knowing that I have a rough work life family and art to answer to. I just go in and try to be my best self. That is no easy thing, but it is easier knowing there are a lot of folks in this community doing the same thing. Anyways, thank you for your bravery in doing this video, and I wish you inspiration and headspace. (This goes for everyone, let's go!!!)

[@lejazzetmoi1775]

great stuff, very relatable.. not only to drums or music, but also for meditating/spiritual development, from getting past de beginner phase to bridging the gap from an intermediate to a truly advanced level, how to dare even looking inside the void of that grand canyon of what is not, and not be overwhelmed by my own fear, but just longing to be in that particular environment that the heart is directing me towards. let's play!

[@angieedwards9720]

Fantastic video. Thank you for giving someone like me, 46 years old and playing for one year, some hope and a little kindling to keep the fire going. It’s a struggle to have the mental focus and physical energy to play an hour everyday, walking the tight rope of social media being inspiring or deflating, and wondering if it’s too late in my life to bother. Let’s just say I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I casually thought I wanted to learn to play the drums because “playing with all 4 limbs independently intrigued me.” 😆

[@adityatyagi4009]

I consider myself one of the lucky ones. Whenever I see and hear some insanely great drummers online, I get joy and inspiration to practice and improve. I don't beat myself up for not being nearly as good, I don't get jealous, I don't start nitpicking their playing to make myself feel better about myself, and so on. It seems that many people would benefit from taking my approach.

[@ryankklein]

Dude, i love your style it's very unique ive never heard anyone like you. Totally agree you gotta be you. Spot on

[@georgephillips1930]

Thanks for the insights!! Well said. I've been playing for 30+ years and couldn't have said it any better! Yes keep sharing it's great to hear someone being human.

[@drummermomcjs]

I agree with your assessment and appreciate you voicing your counsel on this topic. Steady slow progress is always a sure bet and yields valuable fruit.

[@tormento_666]

man youre so right, i like to use jordan peterson's quote "compare yourself to who you were yesterday not to who anyone else is today" and in my darkest hours its been the light at the end of the tunnel. my story is funny since i havent been playing that long (5 years) but a year and a half ago i decided i wanted to try to achieve 300bpm with both my hands and feet with no gimmicks or triggers etc. (im a death metal dude hehe) and also trying to find my own voice within it all being super extreme and stuff. crazy to think im almost there and playing at 270 bpm has become somewhat of a new comfort zone and i relate so much to what you say that the goal keeps growing as you get closer to it like an infinite rabbit chase! i started to post on the socials but often times the whole atmosphere in the social med realm felt weird/competitive/ridiculous and pushed buttons in me i didnt want being pushed and its crazy what the chase of popularity can do to the mind. ive felt recently like just deleting instagram and youtube and becoming a full time hermit but i also think i have something special going on and wanna put it out there to find some other sick dudes to collab with and other sick dudes to inspire. strange world were living in with all these "tools" that can do as much damage as they can do good depending on how you use them and or if you let them use you. even though our styles are leagues apart ive always loved your channel and your playing and was super happy when you played at meinl!! watching this has given me some much needed inspiration and im so happy youve stayed true to yourself and have made and effort to improve but not to change your essence! cheers dude, message got kinda deep and long but thanks! keep shredding 🤟🤟🤟

[@seanlevoy9446]

Great video!! This applies to many things in life. I could wax on with a philosophical tome but I'll just say this. Jeff Porcaro didn't do drum solos and didn't like drum solos. What did he he do? He helped make music that has moved millions upon millions of people and according to first hand accounts was a wonderful person to be around.

[@ashleycrashdissinger8021]

I started watching you about 3 yrs ago when I decided to become more than someone who can play.....'sorta' to someone who understands drumming and aspires to be a musician. This is your best video in my humble opinion and I understand Its a 'right time, right place' thing. If ya feel as if you should do a video on the importance of solid singles, do it! Cuz that's you-like it or not. 🤘😝

[@christianwalther5986]

Great video, thanks! The complex feelings or struggles many musicians are in very good packed in words. Thanks

[@Andrew-l3z3i]

Thank you for this video. I am one of those people who practiced 1.5hr per day for years and now have to schedule a day off. The day off makes me like drumming more. Also I'm in two bands. One of them a church, the other a local ccm cover band and I work full-time. Your video helped me to find perspective on my own playing and content skills. Thanks again Nate, love the Chanel.

[@Snareric]

I started drums in my mid 20s 4 years ago. I just accepted the fact that I’ll never hit the level i want to because I’m a late starter. Only thing I can do is just be the better than yesterday and that in itself keeps me motivated.

[@8020drummer]

how many hours a day do you practice and what level are you shooting for (like name players)

[@ZacheryChase1111]

@@8020drummerI am in a very similar station as this man, currently 25/26 been playing about 2 and a half years with what time I have I put about 2 hours on average most days if not everyday on the kit. Is this normal? Is this enough? What do you think of this because often wonder if it’s cursed for me too since I’m a late starter ?

[@Snareric]

@@8020drummer For the first 2 years 4 hours 4-5 days a week and the pass 2 years I have more responsibilities so 1.5 -2 hours a day 5-6 days a week. I aspire to the level of Matt Garstka and Larnell Lewis.

[@bronzemv4440]

Your brain is still developing and has plasticity. You can still be great. I played for 3 years Startin at 18. I quit for 22 years and I kept my musicality, just have to redo the physical. I have been impressing other drummers after 3 months with my progress, so obviously I just have a base musicality left over. So can you whistle a tune? Then you got this! You need to overcome the physical barriers which you can do and tap into your musicality. You can totally play. I have an interesting perspective in my position. I have learned a ton of things along the beginner path again. I learned that 16th notes and balance issues: simply spread your legs enough via moving your pedals further apart so your opposite booty cheeks are pushing back against the opposite leg. Practicing left handed was the biggest hack for getting better physically and separating your ear from your body better, so you can tell how bad your playing, lol. Thanks, Ringo. Also. Put a ghost note in when you can hit every learned thing daily even if for a minute. Train for time slow, train for physical fast improve, stress test your technique and break a sweat. Playing to bad electronic music and improving on that helps. Don't say "and" say "N" when counting, so you can count fast. I learned to save your back, you can be in bed and tap your feet on the wall or place the peddle there on a pillow and hold it against the wall. I created response tracks of my own counting "1ENA" and designate which is a hit, and this makes you explosive. Train heels up and down. Puting tungsten blocks on the back sides of lighter hammers for my bass drum got rid of flutter, they hit harder and pulls the hammer back faster lifting the pedal back into position faster without upping the spring tension. Make the kit yours, and you got this. You have bad legs mount your damn bass drum on the ceiling for the up strokes from your snare or put the damn floor tom legs on that sucker and play it on with your hands.

[@martinjames672]

Another great insight. There is such a wide spectrum of learning to cover. I take my time, practice a lot on my hands, holding the sticks, finger technique, dynamics. When I learnt in the late 70's I had in the region of 5 professional players as teachers, guys who were making albums touring, having hit records (Gentle Giant, Honky). Not a one gave any insight on how to hold the sticks correctly.... I find that astonishing. My 'thing' was hitting hard, which is the absolute antithesis to becoming good. So I'm reteaching myself. It's slow progress but I'm feeling good about it. One area that is for me probably the least discussed and I believe does separate the good from the great is the black box - the workings of the brain. I recall being told by a fabulous guitarist I was working for that I was thinking too much and blocking my flow. I agree to a certain extent, because if one has a firm foundation of the basics in place and an ear for complementing the music, if you can allow your mind free of the insecurities from external influences you could go an awfully long way and be very employable. For example, I remember from the 80's, seeing a gigging drummer playing exemplary drums (beautifully tuned kit) without using any sub divisions smaller than 8th notes. I know today that may appear strange, but is was someone maximising the music while not worrying about scrutiny from others. Just a thought. Keep up the great work!

[@mattfacchino3999]

Thank you for digging into the thoughts floating around my head. That's how you get the gig!

[@TheDroc1990]

I guess I needed to hear this. I'm gonna post videos of my own playing. Thanks.

[@NoshenableG]

Needed to hear this, thanks for more great insight

[@robertthompson5568]

Firstly, I would take those 3 free coaching courses. I did, and they definitely helped. This video made me think of a Sweetwater promotional thing I saw a long time ago where drummer X and Y (huge social media stars at the time) went to Sweetwater and were trying to play a bunch a hobbyists drummer's stuff. I was surprised to see that they were failing epically! It got me thinking that once you are intermediate or "mid" you have a sound that no one replicates as well as YOU! I personally love that. After a while, all of your influences, specific patterns, stickings, grid work you practice, and tendencies cuisinart into something that is very uniquely you.

[@justseaningaround]

Thank you. Timely message tonight. With gratitude. 🧡🐳

[@Wizzgigging]

Awesome video Nate! I’m definitely struggling with this exact paradox. As the guy that’s trying to keep a worklife balance I feel I’m somewhere in the middle. My obsessed nature keeps me in the 2 to 3 hours a day practice routine, but I feel it’s not enough to get to where I want to be.

[@MikeSchertenlieb]

LOVE this vid - thanks for tackling this touchy, convoluted subject.

[@elvislegg8634]

Loved the video, articulated my daily battle very well. I'm a 2-3 hours a day guy, on average, sometimes less, sometimes more but rarely, if ever, not at all. I have a family with 2 kids and 2 jobs and usually I can't manage more than 3 hours cumulative practice per day. I am obsessed with getting better, I sacrifice sleep in order to do it and in the last 10 years I've made major strides forward in my playing and changed the direction that I was going in radically. But at heart, I do it because I love it, nothing more. On your point about drummers on average getting better in the last 10 years, I do sound at a local venue and have done for 20 odd years now and I absolutely concur that the standard of musicianship has improved dramatically in that time. Although I wouldn't necessarily say the same about the quality of the music, but that's another topic I guess. Keep these videos coming Nate, it's been great to watch your improvement on the thing you love.

[@isaakls3717]

Loved this. Definitely spoke to me as a drummer with dreams of getting solid, but over the course of decades.

[@gustavojavier2353]

13:11 So true, and it applies to EVERYTING in life

[@slcinv]

great work Nate and congrats on your channel, staggering amount of work. Thanks for your inspiration to older drummers struggling to be any good - lots to absorb here. Keep it up man!

[@pastrnak8863]

Awesome vid bro❤ not sure anyone would leave negative feedback. You’re an awesome teacher

[@fideldely5988]

real talk. as usual... thank you

[@MarcPlaysDrums]

I NEEDED THIS VIDEO SOOO BAD!!!!! Thank you!!!! I’m not insane

[@Obscurity202]

This is what KZbin used to be for for me. People inspiring you to go practice. I find it harder to find that stuff these days.

[@drummertravis]

Good topic. I'm always fighting the losing battle of finding a life balance as an older parent and accomplishing the drum goals I'd like to achieve.

[@colmmoran.2700]

Great video and fair play for being so frank and honest... me I just want to develop my own simple sound and have fun playing and I feel inspired to do so after this vid!

[@woody4269]

So glad u brought this, how long b4 i get really, really good, topic.

[@jre9571]

Really enjoyed this cast.

[@RichmondDrumLessonsBC]

I love the psychological headspace video. Of course excellent drumming too

[@PokPokChickenGod]

Thank you for this video, breakdowns are cool but life experience and wisdom trumps that, this is gold

[@jeffgreen4903]

After 3+ years of 2 hours a day I'm very happy with my progress. Because it has been progress. Incremental, day by day, week by week, I'm getting better. I'm not in it to be a social media drumming darling. I do it because I see improvement. I do it because I love to play music with others, and sound good doing it. That makes me happy. And who are those people to be calling out "mid".. that's just gatekeeping from people who probably feel small themselves.

[@chrishughes8188]

What I needed to hear. Thanks!!!

[@michaelhey4039]

Started drumming at 48. Love the instrument. Never played music before. I have day job, real life committments and responsibilities and other endeavours which are important to me. Within these constraints I want to be the best drummer that I could possibly be and reach a level where I can jam with real live musicians, not just by myself with headphones. I would even love to play in public some day with a live audience - ie. to play as musician, not as someone who is just practicing. Those are the realies, the ambitions and the constraints.

[@andypradojr6186]

This is a great conversation!!! Love it

[@matt_reverb]

Loved the video, thank you for making this kind of content (apart from the other more 'practical' stuff, which is also amazing)

[@kevintconsidine]

Keep speaking the truth and being relatable!

[@egrojz6221]

Analytics aside, I think more people appreciate these deeper reflection vlogs than you realize. I need these reminders that I have a chance despite not being a full time musician.

[@pedalboy7]

I love your videos, these more 'mental aspect of the game' ones especially, that you present both sides, pros&cons, of any one aspect of any of this (internet peer pressure for ex.) and I'm not even a drummer! But I am definitely on, and in a way at age 60 finishing up some phase of, the long game course of 'a few hours a day for a lot of years' thing. Keep up the great work, it's inspiring.

[@rjburk]

I'm always inspired by your content, I really appreciate and benefit from your comprehensive and deeper analysis of drumming. But this time, this video inspired me like no other, thanks. I am now practice, practice, practicing with even more purpose. Since I watched it the other day. It is such a motivator that I plan to watch it multiple times until I make it my internal mantra. Too much, I think not.

[@survivalzoneswitzerland6697]

I am so glad I learnt to play in the time before social media, we listened to records, worked out what Copeland, Headon, Bonham et all were doing and copied it (badly at first) we also learnt playing in bands by being a rhythm section. The goal was entertaining by playing, yes we were obsessed to a degree. couldn´t afford new sticks all that often let alone lessons or mentors were older guys (who seemed to be the source of ancient wisdom) who encouraged us. Just be happy playing, if nailing a good version of your fav cover in the pub next weekend or getting a good demo of your bands own tune is fine. Ignore the social media show offs who might be great at those (totally un groovy) fills n chops but when was the last time they had a pub full of punters on a friday all dancing to your version Long train running?

[@BrennanDivett]

Great video! This was exactly what I needed to watch today. Thanks!

[@michaelhaslam3496]

Hey, Nate! Just Great ! You're pure Zen .

[@cedareclipse]

Great vid....very relatable to probably 90% of us drummers out there.

[@tomcullendrummer7046]

This was one of the best eps

[@JaeB246]

Thank you! I am a new drummer, and I'm learning songs now. I've been trying to play like the drummers in the band. After watching this, I went and played, relaxed, and enjoyed it so much. Was it technically perfect....no. I see now that I can play these using my own voice and just feel the song. The technicality will come. It was so much more enjoyable practicing 😃🥁🤘

[@kidragon]

Do you train jits? Them ears lookin fantastic! Osssss

[@steverichdrummr]

Wow, that was great, but hard for an old timer like me to follow. Just past 60 years since I began with sticks. There was drum corps at age 10, high school band for 4 years, 5 years out of high school playing 7 nights a week on tour, the next 43 years playing weekends in bar bands. Retired from day job and raising 4 adopted kids, and back to playing many gigs now at age 68. I never got to the level I wished for, but got good enough to keep at it, bc I simply love playing. I would say my chops are adequate for what I need to move the music along and say it. Did the last 2 gigs with a new keyboard player, who called me to tell me I had great feel. It always came easy to me, and honestly mostly never practiced, just play for fun. A strange story, I heard about some drummer named Dino Donelli who tossed his sticks up, and twirled. And because I was a huge Cobham fan, taught my self open handed so I'd have a free right hand to throw my right stick up skyward, while playing with just my left. I decided years ago, that this would be my "thing". I knew I would never be great or a master, so I make music, entertain, and have a blast. One of my coworkers came to a gig after hearing me say, I am playing with the band this weekend many times. When he saw me play he said to me: "You used to say you played drums, but I never dreamed you could do that!" I am going to play as long as I can.

[@joaquinlluis]

Im wondering if you ever addressed something. Yes to achieve a pro level it requires years and years and years of practice. To interpret a song or to create a song that could somehow represent something or either create a feeling larger than the quality of your drumming, maybe it doesn't require years an years of practice. I think what you tend to describe its the journey of becoming a complete artist that can dominate the instrument from a technical perspective, but I wonder if its truly required to dominate at the same level to create musical art. I hope my point is clear haha. Love you content mate! thanks for sharing your deep thoughts on everything!

[@cafe.cedarbeard]

Oh yeah! I've long been pretty good at jamming, a sort of Bill Bruford influence without the proper training to do it really well has been my basis long time. Drums are my most recent discipline in music, muilti instrumentalist since I was 8 years old. I learned basic drumming in my teens and stayed beginner and a little bit intermediate for being able to follow odd time signatures until just about a year ago when I started focus on upping my drum cred. More of a challenge for me to keep basic beats. I could jam and play musically relevant things, but not the same thing twice and had a hard time holding any particular beat. Enter Bowie, where I studied him in singer songwriter style for a few years to get some lost skills back and recently started to really dig into the drums and they're not as easy as they may sound when paying more attention to the vocals and chords. The thing now is to train steadiness in really syncopated right foot patterns and snare back beat pops, then work on the offbeat hi hat barks. Step by step is how it's done with a crazy human trick like playing drum kit. Then, in between bands with nowhere to set up my kit I still practice every day with great drummers in my headphones sitting in a chair and just tapping feet and slapping knees to get the patterns and dynamics trained up so when I get back to my kit I have less things to tune up and just apply the already well practiced patterns to the kit.

[@cafe.cedarbeard]

Woodmansey and Davis the period of Bowie under consideration. Boris Williams period of The Cure also a present study. Then Bob Marley, Natty Dread.

[@jonberry9990]

Excellent video on a really interesting topic

[@Quintastisch]

You're very inspiring!

[@seanmayfield8826]

Great video Nate

[@timothyhagen8225]

Yo N8 this video was helpful as fuck: currently working through some burn out and this helps allot.

[@DolfSneijers]

All great topics👏👏👏

[@Medievalfan94]

Oh this hits a little too close to home 😅 I have been playing for nearly 20 years now, but I am still nowhere near a midlevel drummer (by KZbin standards). But I got somewhere in life, I graduated, got a good job and live together with my SO, maybe become parents in a while. Drumming was always a hobby and I noticed a while ago that those high gloss drummers on KZbin popped up left and right and told everyone "IF YOU WANNA GIT GUD DRUMMING MUST BECOME YOUR LIFE!!!". But I already have a life, and I am fine with drumming just being a hobby. I joined my first band a year ago and yeah, I noticed that I really enjoy playing with others and that I am good enough to do so. Still, I am learning new stuff to get better, but like you said: I am more of a tortoise. And a slow one and that. Also, you said that after 3 YEARS you liked your chops. 3 YEARS. First time I ever heard an honest time frame for that.

[@mileyondrumz]

Love your videos dude 👊

[@benjammin4840]

6:43 Love Brannen!

[@Jameson-Scriver]

This video was great!!!

[@jazzhole8208]

All that, all that 🙌 and i've to say Sir, you where always that dude that has the most naturally like lofi drum sound and touch ever. Even when you'd played straight ahead 🤌 absolutely unique 🔥 like it's already sampled 🔥 goosebumpy ❤

[@ciaranhughes2367]

Brilliant video 🔥🔥🔥

[@NikolaiSchlottDrumming]

the comparison for success, seeing so many people who rip it. I am like okay not working. Forgetting I just love to sit done and jam not liking general practice

[@random32ndfan69]

I think about quitting ALL the time. Especially after a gig. I fantasize about quitting - about giving all my gear away and keeping a snare as an art piece. .... and then I go practice.

[@anthonyk0420]

Finally found a golden channel for drums

[@tomtomboy6471]

Hi Nate, I love your videos! Every one is playing the Linear Grooves at this point SO I WILL LEARN ALSO AND JOIN GANG!

[@BoWadeOnDrums]

Thanks Nate

[@Homurdan]

i feel like were on a similar page on this subject. i always feel like salieri in the amadeus movie. i have enormous passion for drums and trying my best to learn it however not so talented and began drumming very late at 35. all pro drummers talk about talent is not a thing but i object. there are those guys ot there who were subjected to music in a very early age and their heart pump in a groove. i wish i were one ofem. anyways. thats a journey and im determned to continue untill i die. even thou i cannot reach a level of a even a mid class drummer i enjoy the progress. when i first learned diddles and paradiddles i thought i could spend 10 years just to play them. fortunatelly there are dozens of them :)

[@EdmontonDrumLessons]

Keep making these.

[@ruffryder13]

Really good point and interesting analysis. Sure I'm not the only one to say this applies to other instruments and other skills as well.

[@8020drummer]

Of course. I’d imagine it follows 1:1 for any discipline where you’re improvising and you need years of practice to develop the skill

[@ruffryder13]

@@8020drummer And I think it at least generally applies to being good at my engineering profession as well...almost anything that involves performance. There has to be some balance of drive to immerse yourself, which often comes from a significant amount of self criticism but then one can't just be so disappointed that it kills the drive to feel confident sharing and have fun with others. Personally, I've been overly limited by the criticism aspect to such an extent that I actually think I sound better in a recording than I thought I sounded when playing the recorded piece. It seems like that's usually the opposite for most people.

[@studiocoorlas]

Currently on the 60 min per week approach. Between running a business, and being a husband/father of 3, the dream of playing drums with my own "voice" is on the super slow/steady plan. And I'm perfectly OK with that 🐢🤘

[@sehnsuchtsoundstudio1624]

That’s me too! I am pretty sure I’m better than I was 2 years ago,….. but maybe not. At least I’m not worse. I can tell that much.