The Journey to Musical Drumming: Understanding the Difficulty of Drumming as a Musical Art Form
Many people assume that drums are easier to play than other instruments. While the technical skills required to play drums are relatively simple, the challenge lies in playing drums in a musical way. This article explores why becoming a skilled musician/drummer is more difficult than playing any other instrument, focusing on the unique demands of drumming in a musical context.
Why Becoming a Musician/Drummer is More Difficult
At first glance, drums seem like an easy instrument to learn. By developing hand and feet skills and learning four-limb coordination, a beginner can seemingly start playing drums immediately. However, this misconception often leads to an approach that focuses on basic grooves and rhythms, which is a one-size-fits-all method that falls short.
Understanding the Role of the Drummer
Drums play a crucial role in the overall musical environment, but they occupy the 'rhythm-only' voice in a song. This is the most abstract of the four voices (melody, harmony, bass, and rhythm-only) that make up the song. Because the usual guideposts (melody and harmony) are missing, drummers need to understand both the music they play and the music they don't play.
The Importance of Musicality
Drummers who aim to create music must go beyond basic grooves and connect with the music that led to the development of those grooves. They need to fully understand the song, from its melody to its bass line, and how their rhythms fit into the overall structure.
Beyond Basic Skills
Simply playing grooves is not enough to make a mark in music. Drummers can expand their skill set by learning to play other musical instruments such as keyboard percussion (marimba, xylophone, vibraphone), timpani, piano, guitar, or bass. By playing these instruments, drummers gain a deeper understanding of music theory and can contribute more musically to a band.
The Drummer's Unique Role
Drummers are responsible for setting the rhythmic environment of a band. They must push and pull the song with appropriate grooves, convey the characteristic energy and stylistic nuances, and provide accents to reinforce the important moments in the song. These accents cue the band through transitions and help maintain the flow of the music.
Comparison to Other Musical Roles
The notion that drummers "keep time" for the band is a misconception. While drummers play a crucial role in maintaining the rhythm, every member of the band (and the audience) must keep time. A drummer playing poorly will negatively impact the band's sound, but a drummer playing well cannot make a band sound good without the rest of the band's contribution.
Conclusion
Learning to play drums is not just about technical skill; it is about understanding and connecting with the entire song. Drummers must be not only students of their instrument but also students of music, striving to express and communicate music effectively to the audience. The journey to becoming a musical drummer is challenging but rewarding, offering a deep and enriching experience in the world of music.