I should've started sooner

[Cocaberry]

I'm really mad that I didn't start playing drums at 10 years old. There is nothing I can do about it now though. Drumming is fun but after I get through college, get a job, get married, and possibly have a family I won't have time for it anymore.

I'm 20 now and I've been playing on the kit for a year and a half so the way I see it, I'll be lucky if I'm an above-average/excellent player by the time I'm 35-40

I feel stuck, like drumming is going to take me no where. This feeling was really strong when I listened to the beginner MXD&P drumsolos. It made me feel like I'm behind too. I can't make my playing that musical and dynamic. I can't even bust out a good, clean chopfest.

What should I do? Has anyone else felt this way? Anyone else in a similar situation? I hope I ain't alone on this.

[Tillmon]

Drumming almost never takes anybody anywhere. It's very rare that a person can make a living off of drumming.

[FockerTheLopper]

Drumming almost never takes anybody anywhere. It's very rare that a person can make a living off of drumming.
No. Its very rare that someone can become rich and famous and buy anything. Many people make livings drumming. Some teach, others freelance others right books. Music related jobs that drummer are inclined on are sound guys and teachers since they can teach they're students so much, so lets say one guy is playing 30 years prodominately jazz someone playing 25 years playing latin can still teach him although the guy playing for 30 years is probably better at him. Of course its a communative thing because both can learn but thats the beauty of it. In guitar if your better your better, same goes for any other instrument but drums are so 3 dimensional that its nearly impossible to be better then someone in every sense in the time you play in. There are also so many different way to play every study and to truely master it you need to not only study the music but the greats and legends who origally played it so that you can eventually start to develop your own personal style.

[Pauly]

You don't have to be the best at everything. If you enjoy playing, keep at it. Its the journey thats fun, it doesn't really matter when you start.

[FockerTheLopper]

You don't have to be the best at everything. If you enjoy playing, keep at it. Its the journey thats fun, it doesn't really matter when you start.
Not to mention that hard work and dedication can make up for time missed. If you spend time that you would normally spend doing other things working on control coordination and reading you could make up some years especially since your older you could catch on faster.

[BassVirtuoso]

In guitar if your better your better, same goes for any other instrument but drums are so 3 dimensional that its nearly impossible to be better then someone in every sense in the time you play in. There are also so many different way to play every study and to truely master it you need to not only study the music but the greats and legends who origally played it so that you can eventually start to develop your own personal style.

It's like that with every instrument.

[moogoogaipan]

What should I do? Has anyone else felt this way? Anyone else in a similar situation? I hope I ain't alone on this.
Just keep practicing, if it's what you love to do, you will see the benefits.

I've felt that way many a time. I started when I was twelve... average I guess... and I learn that all these musicians started when they were age 3. But you gotta learn to look for inspiration in people who weren't these child players...
for example.. I look up to Steve Smith... started when he was 9, and Danny Carey started when he was 13, they are great players... I believe I can do it to..
Akira Jimbo didn't start until he was in his early 20's I believe and didn't get anywhere till he was 35... you should aspire to be like him... he's a great player and he gets lots of money from the clinic circuit.

Look for inspiration and don't feel bad. It's called determination. I have it, and you should too

[edit] and to Tillman, wtf. Don't tell people that. It's a lie and you don't speak the truth

[sweet_nothings]

Hendrix started playing guitar in his teens. You don't need to start early, you need to put your heart and soul into it. Do that and the rest will take care of itself.

[Cocaberry]

Thanks alot for the help and the advice guys. I feel better now and I'm going to practice harder so I can get there.

This is offtopic but, xxBassVirtuosoxx, do you have to have a capture of Budd Dwyer's televised suicide as your avatar? That is pretty discusting.

[sweet_nothings]

Good to see that you're feeling better.

Why's Budd Dwyer and why'd he televise his suicide? I thought it was an old guy sucking like licorice or something...

[Basement Drummer]

I never started to play until I was 25. I have watched all the videos of these kids thatare totally jamming out after only a years worth of lessons. Yes it is depressing because I am now where close to where they are, but I keep in mind that there are a few differences between them and myself. I have a full time career, family/ spouse obligations that make practice time limited. Also as an adult things can be more difficult because of your age you have experienced more so to unlearn bad things it is harder.
I live such a straight life, music allows my to explore a creative side that I never get to use. It is something that I do for me, I have no plans be in a band.

[Cocaberry]

It is something that I do for me, I have no plans be in a band.
I want to eventually be in a band. I think that the dream/goal of most drummers is to be in a successful band and play in front of a crowd.

Just wondering though, how old are you now if you started when you were 25?

Good to see that you're feeling better.

Why's Budd Dwyer and why'd he televise his suicide? I thought it was an old guy sucking like licorice or something...

No. That is a capture of Budd Dwyer with a gun in his mouth right before he pulls the trigger. It's hard to see because the photo is in black and white but when you know what it is, it makes a discusting avatar.

I'm not going to explain the details of his suicide but you can read about him on Wikipedia or by Googling.

[Ellx]

I hope you know that 1 year of dedicated practice could make up for 5 years undedicated. You just have to dedicate yourself to the instrument. Maybe instead of sitting down at this stupid forum, you get up and practice, or watching a crappy movie, you practice. You shall catch up in no time.

[Cocaberry]

Ok. I feel a lot better now. In a year or a year and a half I should have my buzz rolls and dynamics and all the good stuff down. So in 5 years I should be a decent player.

Thanks for the help.

[Futuro]

No. That is a capture of Budd Dwyer with a gun in his mouth right before he pulls the trigger. It's hard to see because the photo is in black and white but when you know what it is, it makes a discusting avatar.

I'm not going to explain the details of his suicide but you can read about him on Wikipedia or by Googling.I have a few color videos of his death. Pretty nasty.

Once you know the story, it was more of a murder than suicide...

[pitchfork]

Teach your kids to play drums man there is no better gift than an instrument as it caters for the side of us which is violently creative. It gives your the ability to express your anger in music.

[Basement Drummer]

I am going to be turning 30 this year. I also wasted the first 2 year with a dead beat teacher. That I am still sour about that but I did not know the difference between what a good teacher it and what a good player is, some good player just can not teach. I also did not know about this forum then or I would have quit him long before that, I have gained a great amount of knowledge from here. But I am happy with the teacher I have now. I am cool with the direction that the music going in my life.

[cybersprint]

I wouldnt reject a good drummer only because hes 35 years old ( if I was say playing guitar) So hey, isnt that a great time to be good? When you're as wise as will ever be.. As long as you make it before your 50 or something (start getting messy with your coordination), it should not be a crucial obsticle to start late, I believe. Im 20 too played 10 months, its so fun!!

[We_Love_Lime]

Teach your kids to play drums man there is no better gift than an instrument as it caters for the side of us which is violently creative. It gives your the ability to express your anger in music.


Yeah. Agreed.

[AdultSwim815]

Ahhhh I agree with you man, I'm a bit younger, I'm 15 almost 16, and I have only been at it for about a half a year. It's fun though, but it's very frustrating right now, seeing as how I go in for lessons, and the kids there arn't even teenagers and I just want to shoot myself for that. But honestly, if you work at it, you will get better, compared to how I used to sound, I have gotten much better and now that I've started lessons hopefully I'll get better quicker, because it'd be nice if drumming took me somewhere but if it dosn't it dosn't I can always set up networks or fix computers for a living. Actually I'll probably do web design since that pays good money but still.
I wish you good luck my friend, and don't give up, keep at it.

[Vannaroth]

I started at 15 and am now 17, pretty late blooming considering some others. But it's not about when you start, it's about enjoying the ride, learning new skills and developing at doing something you truely enjoy.

[Sharkey Boy]

I started at 14 (16 in may) wish i had also started earlier

I only really started to improve greatly when i got on here and actually talked and listened to other drummers and stuff

im confident im gnna be awesome sometime soon

I desperately wnna practice but i got kicked out of my practice space, so im stuck here feeling incredibly stifled

[AdultSwim815]

That's the problem with drums, they are loud lol. Ahhh, for my 16th birthday instead of a car, my dads going to build me a sound proof room, which honestly, cars are cheaper then a sound proof room, so I'd rather buy the car on my own. But once that happens, I'll be playing into the weeeee hours of the night, and I'll hopefully be able to work on my drumming much more and increase my skill because right now I'm lucky if I get to drum for 2 hours a day, that rarely happens, it's usually more like 45 minutes.

And hey, I'm sure your better then this guy (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6226556291013824074&q=drumming&pl=true) atleast I know I am, and I'm not that great but still this gave me hope in my drumming.

[Cocaberry]

And hey, I'm sure your better then this guy (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6226556291013824074&q=drumming&pl=true) atleast I know I am, and I'm not that great but still this gave me hope in my drumming.

Hell no man. That guy is awesome. I'll never be that good. :(

[We_Love_Lime]

Hell no man. That guy is awesome. I'll never be that good. :(

.?.

[pitchfork]

I think everyone does wish they started earlier, but think of it like this: if you never wanted to play then you may have got fed up and quit, you may not be playing today.

[Cocaberry]

.?.

I was just joking lol :lol:

You didn't really think I was that bad after a year and a half of playing did you? I actually use wrists and fingers to play so I can go alot faster than that guy heh.

[We_Love_Lime]

I was just joking lol :lol:

You didn't really think I was that bad after a year and a half of playing did you? I actually use wrists and fingers to play so I can go alot faster than that guy heh.

Hehe. Glad to hear it.

[GhostGrooveMike]

Drumming almost never takes anybody anywhere. It's very rare that a person can make a living off of drumming.

what are you talking about. As long as your serious about drums and above average player (like most people here) you'll probably end up teaching or doing gigs at different places. That what my drum teacher does. Many other do. THis isnt like skateboarding where its a one in a million chance of making money off it.
but it doesnt make it any better that i startd at eigbht and became serious at ten

[ThugsRook]

I'll be lucky if I'm an above-average/excellent player by the time I'm 35-40...
dude, i AM 35-40 :mad:

play drums because you want to, because they're fun, because you enjoy it :chug:

[FockerTheLopper]

Everyone should be happy where they are in they're drumming carreer. Personally I'm really happy because as a person I'm able to grow without specific guidance so even though I didn't have a teacher I grew tremdously as a player and improviser. My teacher thought me things like indepence, playing cleaner, different styles, stickings, modulation, reading, and so much more, those are just most of the big topics(accually modulation shouldn't be in there we covered that once or twice at most). I believe that everyone has the ability to be as good as anyone if they're dedicated its just the way you approached the instrument. If I had a teacher from day one I probably would not be as good as I am today because I don't grow as much in controlled places, I learned to play for music first then when I realized that I jumped I went back to the basics, picked them up and now I'm going to learn to truely play swing. So far my favorite drummers are Elvin, Tony and Art(3 players that you can probably pick out by first name exept for maybe Tony but you guys know who I'm talking about). I also love playing with brushes too bad you can't use them in every situation but I love that sound. I'm going to love swing more and more as I get into it.