THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DRUMMERS IN A BAND

Playing in a band is one of the top most priority for all drummers (maybe some not all) and also the most important in a drummer’s “to do” list. Being in a band (especially the band with lots of playing Gigs) can be refreshing and exhausting sometimes, it is also crazy and mostly filled with a lot of experiences (the good, the bad and the ugly). Playing in a band with other musical instrumentalist, connecting with one another to make good music, going on tour with a top music artiste in the music industry and also having to get a lot of playing Gig as a band is what every drummer dreams of.

But this post is not about playing in a band and what it feel like being in one but it’s about the different type of drummers you see in a band. It is about the personality of the drummer, the relevance of the drummer and also the important contributions he or she adds to the band.

LET’S BEGIN, SHALL WE:

1)The new guy:  Being a fresh recruit in a band is not that smooth and easy especially if you are not familiar with everyone. The new guy gets to prove himself to the band, the artiste, the directors and everyone connected to the band. He knows that any little mistake from his side could get him evicted from the band, so he tries as much as possible to be a professional. As a new guy creating a bond with the other musical instrumentalist is necessary, playing smoothly and not just trying to show off is also needed. Your skill alone as a new guy won’t take you that far, you also need to spice it up with a good attitude.

2)The old guy: There is nothing much to say about the old guy other the fact he has been in the band for a very long time. Being the old guy may come from his extra ordinary skill as a drummer, his attitude, his contribution to the band or it might be that he is the leader of the band (he runs everything in the band), a close friend to one of the band leaders, a co-founder and a very important person in the music business. Whatever the case might be he stays in the band and it really doesn’t matter if he does much or not, if he contributes or not, as long as he is the old guy, he stays.

3)The quiet guy: The only reason why the quiet guy is still in the band is because of his excellent skill as a drummer and also the ability to execute and score every song perfectly. He doesn’t say much when it comes to the area of sharing of ideas and being creative with the music the band is creating. His being quiet has nothing to the do with his personality (introverted or extroverted) or his stay in the band (the old or new guy) but in his willingness to execute on every ideas laid down by his band mates. I won’t be surprise if his favorite quote is “Action speaks louder than words”. Lol.

Also note that being the quiet guy might also come from that he wasn’t given the opportunity to air his opinion and ideas due to reasons known to his fellow band mates. But whatever the case might be, the quiet guy will always remain the quiet guy until he is pushed or asked to contribute and share his ideas with the band.

4)The substitute: His stay in the band is temporary. He just like a substitute in a football match, he only gets to play when the main player is not available.  Being the temporary player doesn’t stop him from giving his all and being there when the band needs him the most. His is committed and tries as much as possible not to mess things up. He might not be interested in being the main player or taking the place of the main player (no one wants to be a temporary player for long) but he knows that being an extra ordinary temporary prayer with good skills can get him the position of the main player in the band.

5)The linchpin: Looking at examples from Seth Godin’s book “linchpin”, a drummer who happens to be a linchpin is indispensable (probably not). He sees things differently. He is productive, creative and full of ideas when it comes to making new music, performing in a big or small Gig, executing on a Gig and playing smoothly and perfectly on the drums. As a music artiste he is the guy you run to when you need someone killing it for you on the drums. He is not necessary the new or the old guy, the quiet or the substitute (if you are the main player in a band and you have a linchpin as a substitute, then you should be worried) but the one with the most value in the band. Anyone in the band, from the drummer to the bass player to the saxophonist can be a linchpin. A drummer with the trait of a linchpin stands out from other drummers. A linchpin drummer knows it’s not only about the skills but also about the useful, original and unexpected creativity he adds to the band.

I know there are still lot of different types of drummers in a band. So if you have or happen to know of any other type of drummers you see in a band, feel free to share.

Like I always say “This is just me and my crazy ideas”





#Drummers-in-a-band
#Peace

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