So this week has been strangely enlightening.
Monday, I moseyed into a Sam Ash (music store) to purchase a set of strings for my bass. During the search, I ran into a friend of mine working in the drums/percussion department. We exchange "hellos" and just as I'm walking away, he comments that there is a drum competition going on, and they need one more contestant to successfully coninue with it. I debate it........what the hell. I sign up, sit down, ignore the fact that I haven't touched a drumset in roughly six months, and quietly make a battle plan. When my turn comes up, I walk over to the set, sit down and execute my plan. I want to say it was a flawless execution, but....it wasn't. After the six eternal minutes are over and done with, I stand up and walk over to my seat again, not entirely content with the way I played. Since I was the last person to go up, the judges then make their way into the back room, to accumulate points and discuss technicalities. To be honest, I was slightly nervous because some of the other competitors were in fact very proficient players. Afterwards, I was so concentrated on playing my solo back in my head that I didn't notice one of the judges walk out and hand the announcer a piece of paper. The announcer looks at the paper, smiles and announces the winner.
..........Me.
Aside from bragging rights, what does this story tell you (and me for that matter)? That I'm a badass drummer? Far from it. There were players there far better than me. They had better technique, better ideas, etc. What made me win? Well, the judges explained that I was more musical and not as showy and blah blah blah. Here's what I think made me win. During this whole ordeal, I wasn't the least bit nervous. At all. Why? Well, first of all, I'm not a drummer. I'm a bass player. Second of all, I wasn't planning on entering since the beginning. It was a spur-of-the-moment type situation. Third of all, I was completely relaxed knowing that I had nothing to lose and that I didn't really care if I won or not. Ergo, my confidence was where it was supposed to be at.
Lesson for Monday: Confidence and relaxation play a vital role in any situation. Which is why usually impromptu happenings tend to work out better than expected. Funny. Everyone always tells you this, but it's only when you experience it (and it works) that it's when burn it into your brain and you start applying it to the way you work.
Interesting.
Update: IT'S MY FUCKING BIRTHDAY!!
Monday, I moseyed into a Sam Ash (music store) to purchase a set of strings for my bass. During the search, I ran into a friend of mine working in the drums/percussion department. We exchange "hellos" and just as I'm walking away, he comments that there is a drum competition going on, and they need one more contestant to successfully coninue with it. I debate it........what the hell. I sign up, sit down, ignore the fact that I haven't touched a drumset in roughly six months, and quietly make a battle plan. When my turn comes up, I walk over to the set, sit down and execute my plan. I want to say it was a flawless execution, but....it wasn't. After the six eternal minutes are over and done with, I stand up and walk over to my seat again, not entirely content with the way I played. Since I was the last person to go up, the judges then make their way into the back room, to accumulate points and discuss technicalities. To be honest, I was slightly nervous because some of the other competitors were in fact very proficient players. Afterwards, I was so concentrated on playing my solo back in my head that I didn't notice one of the judges walk out and hand the announcer a piece of paper. The announcer looks at the paper, smiles and announces the winner.
..........Me.
Aside from bragging rights, what does this story tell you (and me for that matter)? That I'm a badass drummer? Far from it. There were players there far better than me. They had better technique, better ideas, etc. What made me win? Well, the judges explained that I was more musical and not as showy and blah blah blah. Here's what I think made me win. During this whole ordeal, I wasn't the least bit nervous. At all. Why? Well, first of all, I'm not a drummer. I'm a bass player. Second of all, I wasn't planning on entering since the beginning. It was a spur-of-the-moment type situation. Third of all, I was completely relaxed knowing that I had nothing to lose and that I didn't really care if I won or not. Ergo, my confidence was where it was supposed to be at.
Lesson for Monday: Confidence and relaxation play a vital role in any situation. Which is why usually impromptu happenings tend to work out better than expected. Funny. Everyone always tells you this, but it's only when you experience it (and it works) that it's when burn it into your brain and you start applying it to the way you work.
Interesting.
Update: IT'S MY FUCKING BIRTHDAY!!
VIEW 16 of 16 COMMENTS
fenris23:
Thank You!!!
magneticflux:
Think nothing of it-- internet boards can be rough at times. Say what you want, if someone feels the need to display their vast knowledge to inflate their egos let them, but don't let it keep you away from joining in the discussion. I say what I want anymore even if I know I'll take heat for it