Studio Drummer – Optimize!

I remember reading some time ago an interview with a top world studio drummer who I prefer to remain nameless.  Reason being for that is not to get distracted by him but instead to focus on several pertinent comments that he offered.

He talked about how to optimize, moreover specifically about being analytical.  The process of self examination, not in a paranoid sense of always over scrutinizing one self or one’s performances but to be proactively engaged and positive about being self analytical.  That struck me as being very beneficial as an overall outlook on one’s playing and approach to playing.

He talked about learning to understand where each person’s own challenges lie such as learning to examine very carefully subdivision.   If you intend to lay a snare back in a way that is antithetical to pure subdividing then you have to understand how the relationship to the rest of the kit and the subdivisions that lie in those beats and those limbs are affected.

If something just doesn’t quite feel right, or better put, doesn’t feel the way that you intend it to feel then learn to be able to clearly and effectively break down where the problem lies without it affecting you emotionally or on an energy level.  Or more important still, a confidence level.

Being analytical in the most positive sense of the word will greatly increase your ability to not only correct aspects of your own playing but also increase your perception and ability to correct issues involving other players as they interact with you in a live or studio setting.