Playing Another Instrument

Ultimate Rhythm Studio

I remember a time when all I wanted to be was a drummer. It was drums, drums, drums 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I didn’t go anywhere without drumsticks and anything I could hit was a drum. What could I say, I was excited about playing drums. It was literally my life. Even though I started out on piano I just didn’t care about anything other than drums. As far as I was concerned it was the only instrument to play.

I still have that passion about drums today. There is no other instrument as powerful as drums and has drummers we have the ability to move people with simple rhythms. I mean could you imagine dance music without drums (or programmed drums). It would be a little hard to get your groove on without feeling the strong pulse provided by the drummer. The raw emotion that comes from a good drummer is simply electrifying and contagious. In a way we are the field generals of the band. We count the band in, keep the time, make people shake their booties and control dynamic in a way that no other instrument can. Who wouldn’t love that? (I’m pretty sure my neighbors didn’t love it when I was a kid!)

Having said all of that I believe that being so focused on one instrument (especially and instrument with no harmony) can actually have a negative affect on us as musicians. We can practice all we want but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we’ll be good musicians. It simply means that we’ll become good drummers or at least good at practicing drums. Our goal should be to play music and there is no better way to do this than by learning another instrument. If you really want to get a good perspective on the drums and how they fit with a band you absolutely must learn another instrument. Want to know how a bass player feels time with your bass drum? Learn some bass. Want to learn how a guitar player locks in an 8th note groove with your hi-hat? Learn some guitar. Want to know how a keyboard player works a funky clav part around a drum groove? Learn some keyboard.

I’m not saying you have to become a virtuoso on another instrument but learning even the basics could quite possibly do more for your musical drumming skills than years of shedding in the practice room (this is not an anti practicing post, I love practicing too!). To be an effective “field general” on stage we need to at least have an understanding of how the other instruments operate within the band and how they affect our groove and how we affect theirs. Just look at Dave Grohl, great drummer, singer and guitar player!

I play keyboards but I am by no means a “keyboard player” (would not insult my keyboard buddies). It has changed how I view my roll as a drummer though. Playing keyboards has really helped me hear how the the other instruments fit around the drums and visa versa. Honestly, I’ve learned more about drums by playing keyboards and I think you’ll learn a lot by playing another instrument too.

Plus by playing another instrument you can right songs and work on those ASCAP checks but that’s for another post. For now just go experiment with another instrument and, above all, have fun!