What Is Something You Do Well?

RVC

RVC

Well-known Member
It seems like there are new threads every day about something negative or things we don’t like about music. Isn’t drumming and music supposed to be something that we all love here? I figured I’d post this thread to do my part to bring some positivity. I’m sure it’ll derail within a few posts, but I’d love to hear about something good for a change.

I’m pretty good at playing quietly. It all started when I was a kid first learning how to play. My mom couldn’t stand the noise, even with my drums out in the detached garage (with improvised soundproofing). She worked a high-stress job and was high-strung to begin with, so it was an uphill battle getting to play at all.

I learned how to play softly and also how to treat my drums to make them quieter. Most evenings after school, I could get through many hours without my mom knowing I was playing. Learning those skills at a young age has served me well to this day - especially since venue sizes have gotten smaller and volume requirements have gotten lower and lower. I’m able to play in venues that don’t normally allow drums because I can play quietly enough.

What about you? What do you do well?
 
I am decent (notice I didn't say pretty good) at keeping a very consistent tempo, in the beginning I used to rush (we were playing super fast parts to begin with and when I started to run out of gas I force myself to try to keep the tempo which for some reason resulted in my going even faster and getting the evil eye from the guitar player).
I am also decent about learning new things on my own.
I'm very good at saying things that will annoy a lot of folks here. :ROFLMAO:

I don't let negativity beat me, I was always the lone wolf that had to deal with everything myself including my father's funeral (when I turned 21) all his brothers and mother (my uncles and my grandmother) were there but I had to be the adult and pay the hospital bill, arrange the funeral and generally make sure all the adults were taken care of.

Yes that was an extreme example but that has been my life. For some reason everyone always expects a lot more from me than from others so I must deliver and negativity is just part of how people try to deal with things. I choose to not let bad things defeat me, yes I get discouraged a lot but I get over it a lot too.

I love drums since I can remember and will play until I can't play anymore. (I will be the crazy old man in a wheelchair starting a wheelchair mosh pit at the old folks home while we all listen to Slayer).
 
I teach really well. My students go on to perform at and participate at upper level drum schools and colleges, march drum corps and world level indoor drum lines. I have had students play at the Montreux jazz festival, Carnegie Hall...my high school program is the top CAtholic program in the state of Ohio < - we have had a 23 year streak of Superior ratings at our Marching Band State finals; were the top drumline in our class in the Mid States Band Association for the past 3 years in a row (out of ~20 bands from Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky). and one of only 15 schools to have made State Finals every year since 1987 in the state of Ohio, regardless of size. i have had students on the staffs of DCI drum corps and WGI indoor drumlines...

I also feel like I write and design competitive marching shows really well...

I have been told by multiple people that my time is rock solid, and my ear is really really good

I adapt styles really well, and can usually play covers note for note on the original, unless it is at the extremely fast end of the spectrum

I am pretty decent at tuning drums at well

...but it is hard for me to take compliments, and things like this are hard for me to do because I feel like I am bragging and or that I don't deserve the credit. I am just doing my job...
 
doggyd69b said:
I'm very good at saying things that will annoy a lot of folks here. :ROFLMAO:
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FWIW I think you’re ok but the way you quote everyone’s posts can come across as though you’re arguing, but when I do read what you’re saying you’re actually agreeing but getting into the minutia. I don’t read everything you post (I don’t read everything anyone posts) but it sounds like you’re correcting people at times.

I’m prob pissing off a bunch of people too and just not aware of it.
 
I'm pretty good at tuning drums. Armed with nothing but a drum key, I can feel the head tension and get it pretty much in the ballpark without even ever using my ears.

I'm good at improvisation and can normally play an unfamiliar song good enough that nobody in the audience knows.

I'm a great "band guy". Apart from being just a "drummer", I'm the first guy to help lift that heavy bass amp, will pay for pizzas at practice, and will cheerfully play songs I don't like.
 
Duck Tape said:
FWIW I think you’re ok but the way you quote everyone’s posts can come across as though you’re arguing, but when I do read what you’re saying you’re actually agreeing but getting into the minutia. I don’t read everything you post (I don’t read everything anyone posts) but it sounds like you’re correcting people at times.

I’m prob pissing off a bunch of people too and just not aware of it.
Click to expand...
That is the worse part I am aware but keep doing it :ROFLMAO:

In all seriousness, I do sometimes argue when someone says something that is just not entirely correct (it is correct from their perspective but not in mine or others perspective) which is why I tend to over explain where I am coming from (bad habit the overexplaining) but it is well intended. I used to argue for the sake of arguing to get a reaction, but I like this community so I am not doing anything like that anymore, I figured if my little experience with drums (and life in general) can help someone then try to do that. Sorry if I come across the wrong way.
 
Xstr8edgtnrdrmrX said:
I teach really well. My students go on to perform at and participate at upper level drum schools and colleges, march drum corps and world level indoor drum lines. I have had students play at the Montreux jazz festival, Carnegie Hall...my high school program is the top CAtholic program in the state of Ohio < - we have had a 23 year streak of Superior ratings at our Marching Band State finals; were the top drumline in our class in the Mid States Band Association for the past 3 years in a row (out of ~20 bands from Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky). and one of only 15 schools to have made State Finals every year since 1987 in the state of Ohio, regardless of size. i have had students on the staffs of DCI drum corps and WGI indoor drumlines...

I also feel like I write and design competitive marching shows really well...

I have been told by multiple people that my time is rock solid, and my ear is really really good

I adapt styles really well, and can usually play covers note for note on the original, unless it is at the extremely fast end of the spectrum

I am pretty decent at tuning drums at well

...but it is hard for me to take compliments, and things like this are hard for me to do because I feel like I am bragging and or that I don't deserve the credit. I am just doing my job...
Click to expand...
I have a request for your marching show :
If you could take some of the arrangement of Blood Red Skies from Judas Priest and convert them into marching band, Trumpets and wind instruments and quads and snares, that would work amazingly well for a school band. Bonus if you can get an electric guitar for the guitar solo


The part in question starts at: 4:37 and goes all the way to 5:31 yes it is a really long song but awesome.
of course you would have to start with the intro drums (with the quads and snares) that start at 1:44
I know that guitar solo is quite hard but if someone can pull it off they will be my hero. Actually the hardest part is to get that godly guitar tone.

If you make it happen you will literally make my dream come true (please video it)

Hey a man can dream!
 
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I just saw this:


Yeah old foggies still have it! it gives me hope that the old generation will still show others how its done.
 
I've got brain radio and it serves me well. It keeps me occupied and others confused. But, when I gigged, brain radio helped me keep time and my bandmates honest if I offered gentle criticism. The original playing on brain radio was better than a click track, as I had the whole song on tap!
 
Xstr8edgtnrdrmrX said:
I teach really well. My students go on to perform at and participate at upper level drum schools and colleges, march drum corps and world level indoor drum lines. I have had students play at the Montreux jazz festival, Carnegie Hall...my high school program is the top CAtholic program in the state of Ohio < - we have had a 23 year streak of Superior ratings at our Marching Band State finals; were the top drumline in our class in the Mid States Band Association for the past 3 years in a row (out of ~20 bands from Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky). and one of only 15 schools to have made State Finals every year since 1987 in the state of Ohio, regardless of size. i have had students on the staffs of DCI drum corps and WGI indoor drumlines...

I also feel like I write and design competitive marching shows really well...

I have been told by multiple people that my time is rock solid, and my ear is really really good

I adapt styles really well, and can usually play covers note for note on the original, unless it is at the extremely fast end of the spectrum

I am pretty decent at tuning drums at well

...but it is hard for me to take compliments, and things like this are hard for me to do because I feel like I am bragging and or that I don't deserve the credit. I am just doing my job...
Click to expand...
Totally agree practice makes you better.
 
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Good question.

I'm quite good at having a focussed discipline with practice. I seem to be able to find an hour a day regardless of what's going on or how my mood is..... except since I had my shoulder injury at work 🙄.

I'm also good at thinking outside the box and being inventive when it comes to sounds. I've used my drum rack as a ride, played 2 splashes as hihats, played on ironing boards etc to find new ideas as examples.

I'm also good at being a team player and giving everyone a say.
 
Remembering song arrangements and lyrics. Playing insanely quiet with dynamics and playing to the room.

Totally non-drum related but I can also sing harmony very well.
 
doggyd69b said:
I am decent (notice I didn't say pretty good) at keeping a very consistent tempo, in the beginning I used to rush (we were playing super fast parts to begin with and when I started to run out of gas I force myself to try to keep the tempo which for some reason resulted in my going even faster and getting the evil eye from the guitar player).
I am also decent about learning new things on my own.
I'm very good at saying things that will annoy a lot of folks here. :ROFLMAO:

I don't let negativity beat me, I was always the lone wolf that had to deal with everything myself including my father's funeral (when I turned 21) all his brothers and mother (my uncles and my grandmother) were there but I had to be the adult and pay the hospital bill, arrange the funeral and generally make sure all the adults were taken care of.

Yes that was an extreme example but that has been my life. For some reason everyone always expects a lot more from me than from others so I must deliver and negativity is just part of how people try to deal with things. I choose to not let bad things defeat me, yes I get discouraged a lot but I get over it a lot too.

I love drums since I can remember and will play until I can't play anymore. (I will be the crazy old man in a wheelchair starting a wheelchair mosh pit at the old folks home while we all listen to Slayer).
Click to expand...
 

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I try to be good at helping my drumming cohorts. People often need help with the tough stuff, which is seldom what we love; but about what we struggle with. We have the opportunity here on DW to help people and offer solutions with the things that are perplexing and trying as we work to make music. IMO, that's why perceived negative threads exist. With them, there will always the need to be “on standby” to come alongside and sometimes suggest well-intended constructive criticism (though what may be constructive to one, may not be so to another). However, team problem solving does have a great effect toward optimism. :)
 
I play great with a click. I actually prefer it so I don't have to grapple with players whose time is worse than mine. :O
 
I can sing and play drums at the same time. I usually play what the song needs: much or little. I also found my sound with Mapex drums and Sabian cymbals. Peace and goodwill.
 
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