THINK LIKE A MUSICIAN - THINK LIKE AN ARTIST - Defending Your Life as a Player

[@maddrummerable]

Phil, this is Al. These videos are so great. They take all the internal strife of "having gotten nowhere" playing-wise. You're commentary about styles is so relevant too. I have turned down many a gig (semi pro, not pro) because I wasn't going to go and slop my way through a style I'm not fluent in.

[@philmaturanodrums]

Hi Al! Yeah I am in the same boat. I would never want to make a spectacle of myself because of ego of not facing facts. It's only destructive. Many greetings from Baliiiii! 🙂

[@asdland2218]

Years ago i was In a band that worked a lot , I remember slightly changing the approach I took to playing 1 song in the set and right after the set I was pulled up about it I was quite pleased how it worked so much better and felt better . But I got " did you change that feel ? " I was expecting ( I thought it worked great ) I got " well don't " . So much for artistic slant in that situation, there is none. I went back to playing what I call " hammering in nails " drumming. I hate that because I don't like to play stuff a machine will do way better. Dance stuff. I've done a few of my own music projects, i learnt music theory and keyboards to do it not via music school but self taught way back when I ran a small professional studio and i had to learn keyboards fast ... anyway I co wrote an album with a Turkish singer played and recorded it all . The singer was my girlfriend and I arranged a video shoot for some of the songs and the idiots totally screwed up the video sync. So I had to rebuild the videos in a hurry . So I was now video editor as well. When the video and songs were released it had her listed as words and music( she would record a vocal only to a hand held recorder as a guide idea as she couldnt play anything ) the video team were listed as credits. I was not listed anywhere on anything. I even did the photography for cover. When I pulled her up about it she wouldn't give me a number as a share , I said 50/50 ... silence... 60/40 silence.. OK 80/20.. 99/1 ... she just said I'm not prepared to talk numbers with you . Wow We were partners 6 years and the songs were getting tv play and radio in Turkey. She was doing tv interviews and performances and got a tv host deal ,her own show on the back of it all. One show used a track I had made for fun as a theme to it. I got zero , not a single mention of my input in any form or interviews. So lesson is You can be ripped of even by the closest person to you once they see an opportunity for themselves.

[@philmaturanodrums]

bro...that story really pisses me off. Such a pity. Next time...CONTRACTS!!

[@bushmanbrothers]

Great channel in all respects so much great info , I’m an older guy been around the scene for years and I really hope loads of younger up and coming players see your channel they don’t realise how lucky they are to get this wisdom from a well seasoned player just a side thought If you don’t surf my top tip is grab yourself a board as you live in an amazing place to enjoy the ocean. My work life balance has been music and the ocean what a magic combo so so blessed.

[@philmaturanodrums]

I really appreciate this post friend. It seems that the hang we used to do in clubs is now on KZbin. Sad but ...it's whats going on. What other way can we relate to each other? The upside is we can reach a much wider group of people on this platform. Just sometimes I miss the all night hangs. Peace ma man! :-)

[@bluesXL]

Thank you, so true.

[@philmaturanodrums]

Thank you ma man! All the best to you :-)

[@johnmckenna1776]

*Notes (my take), on this excellent video, from Larry's comments. 1. Base your value/self-worth on all your hard work, experience, knowledge, and successful gigs, not on how many calls did you get. Also, every person has great value and worth. 2. Stay inspired by doing projects you love, with people you love to work with. 3. Be inventive with your own projects, don't let go of your artistic values. 4. Make or find your own opportunities/gigs, don't wait by the phone wasting time hoping you'll get that call. 5. Be grateful for the people who do hire you, because you have a good relationship with them based on mutual trust & respect. 6. Stay in touch with the simple joys of daily life, like getting into nature, the beach, the mountains, a river or lake, or chatting with old friends that are supportive of your career. 7. Don't teach, go play!

[@philmaturanodrums]

Thank you for writing this out ma man! I appreciate the contribution very much!

[@johnmckenna1776]

@@philmaturanodrums 👍

[@dahmerbundy8704]

EXCELLENT TALK BRO!

[@philmaturanodrums]

Thank you broo! :-) Many greetings!

[@sarta80]

Great content as usual Phil, excellent tips, full of wisdom, the emotional part of the business is heavy too, as musicians we need to listen about these kind of topics, in one way or another we are in one or several of these circumstances u mentioned. Again thanks for the topic.

[@philmaturanodrums]

Yeah it's a great pity we are not hanging out at clubs like before. The club scene is gone. No more 4 gigs a night, talking and watching and learning from each other. These time are all ....bleeegh

[@johnmckenna1776]

Yep Phil, I agree, ten minutes to create a perfect samba is a delusion/fantasy. Beware those who sell fantasies and fakery!

[@PiHi-NUi-NUi]

Man that’s crazy stuff you are talking about… few weeks ago I made a decision and left my band. Right now I feel lost and it’s hard for me to keep on drumming. Your kind and wisdom words really help me bro🫶🏻

[@philmaturanodrums]

I am happy you are enjoying the videos ma man! Well...whatever you do don't let the bad experiences affect your drumming, Stay strong and try to let the BS roll off your back! Greetings from Bali!