Finding your voice on the drums isn’t a goal you tick off one day; it’s something that keeps evolving. I used to think it was about picking a style, practicing it to death, and eventually sounding like myself. But years into being a musician, I’ve realized it’s not nearly that straightforward. If anything, it’s a winding road with a lot of backtracking, side paths, and unexpected influences.
The truth is, I didn’t start off trying to sound like me, and it is hard finding your voice. I started by trying to sound like the drummers I idolized. I watched every video, learned every fill, and mimicked every groove. And I don’t regret that for a second. Copying those players wasn’t lazy or uninspired: it was part of how I learned to speak the language of rhythm. At first, I just wanted to sound good, and those players had already figured out what “good” looked and sounded like.
But the further I went, the more I realized something was missing, and the journey to finding your voice is harder than accepted. The more I played, the more I craved something that felt personal, something that didn’t sound like anyone else. That’s when I started stepping outside my comfort zone. I got curious about Afro-Cuban rhythms and other global styles that felt completely different from the rock and jazz music I was usually playing. At first, it was awkward. Nothing flowed. I felt like a beginner again. But those moments where I stumbled became some of the most important in shaping my playing.
Exploring Afro-Cuban rhythms in particular taught me a lot about space, phrasing, and how rhythm works in layers. I didn’t have to become a master in that style, but exposing myself to it forced my ears and hands to respond in new ways. And over time, those ideas started to work their way into my regular playing: subtle changes in my feel, in where I placed a ghost note or how I approached the ride cymbal.
Another big shift came when I stopped chasing speed and chops and started focusing more on coordination. I began to care more about how things felt and less about how flashy they looked. Playing with intention, with clarity, and really locking in with other musicians, that’s where the magic is.
I’m still influenced by the drummers I admire, and I still learn from them. But now I try to take what resonates and shape it into something that my own taste, even if it’s just small adaptation of what I’m learning. In order to find your own sound, you can follow the same sort of path.
Step 1: Learn from your idols.
Step 2: Step out of your comfort zone by learning new styles.
Step 3: Come back to what you like to play and blend those influences together.
Step 4: Repeat that process consistently to stay fresh.