Being a drummer in today’s modern world is not easy. As a drummer, you spend so much time working on your technique, timing, chops, speed, power, and all other facets of the art. Over time, you develop your musical voice and identity, and finally you are ready to get out there and start playing in bands and making music. Once joining a band, a whole slew of new issues arise. Learning to play with others, adapting to a group of other people with different voices and interpretations of the music. On top of this, we are often expected to learn every moment of everyone else’s parts, and we are then expected to work the groove and timing to accommodate all of it. It is here as a drummer that we are forced to become the captains of our ship. While often thought of as less than equal by most of our band mates, we are unconsciously handed the keys to the ship and expected to steer the band.
Over time and experience with our band(s), depending upon personality types of the other band members, we generally reach one of two outcomes. We are either highly celebrated and trusted by the band implicitly or we become the brunt of all jokes, are talked about viciously behind our backs, and are usually sent packing in short order (unless there no supply of other drummers or no interest in other drummers to join that band). It can be a cruel world for a drummer as we already get the immediate stigma of just being a “dumb drummer.” I am certain you have heard most of the jokes before. Often we are also looked down on as we don’t necessarily play “notes” or have music theory knowledge. Often times, those of us that care to make ourselves more valuable go and learn other instruments (for any number of reasons, both good and bad) and/or dive into the production side of things, as well as a good number of us with any kind of decent voice often learn to sing as well. Making ourselves more valuable is one of the key ways we have to stick around.
Then, if we are lucky and have worked hard enough, you get to a level where your band is in demand, and the band loves you, and everything seems to be going well. Then comes the management. We all know that the vocalist/frontperson is the MVP of the band and is by default the face and voice of the band. All managers universally see the vocalist/frontperson as the band and the summation of all of the music. In their eyes, that person is it, and any band around them is the equivalent of extras on a movie set, just kind of filling up space around their star. It must be that all management types read from the same textbook, because their first move, without exception, is to get rid of the extras around their star. The only exception is if you are related to or romantically involved with the vocalist/frontperson. Otherwise, you are on the chopping block. For drummers, this goes double. All of your talent, musical ability, and contributions to the music and the live energy your drumming creates suddenly means nothing. And if you don’t look like a supermodel, it means less than nothing.
This is where being more valuable comes into play. Obviously, your personal connection with the band will mean something to your frontperson, but the more you offer, the more you are worth. For me personally, I am not only a drummer and percussionist, but I sing, run sound, do some video work, am a writer, can do websites, dabble in keyboards and sampling, and am a safe driver. On top of this, I am a very even keeled and agreeable, rational, and reasonable dude, even when stressed. My bands all know that they can depend on me both musically and personally. I encourage all of you to be your personal best in all areas. Be the best drummer possible. The best friend. The best assistant. Whatever gifts and skills you have, hone them and make them a part of what you offer. Being a drummer is not easy, but somebody has to do it, so it might as well be the best! That means you! Show them who you are!
– Chris McKinney