Massive Loss Of Motivation

[the_pure_drummer]

How can i cure this?

For the past few months ive barely played. I think it's something to do with my new fitness lifestyle as i'm in the gym most days building a better body and a healthier me but i know i probably still have time for drumming if i wanted to. I just don't feel like it. Ive put thousands of pounds into my kit and i don't want to see it go to waste :( I used to love drumming but now it all seems kinda meh :/ I feel like i'm crap and i'm doing the same thing over and over in the same room and getting very bored easily. Some days ill sit down play the same song ive been practicing for months once and then get up and leave because i'm annoyed at myself for being a shitty player.

My drum kit has been the same piece of crap for the past 4 and a bit years and frankly i'm very very bored of it. But i defiantly have no money to get myself a new kit to re-motivate myself, or buy any expensive cymbals or crap.

Any help would be most appreciated with this topic guys.

I just don't want to throw away the time and effort Ive put into practicing and playing.

[fishbulb]

Watching instructional Drum DVDs or concerts always inspired me. You may already do this but try playing along to some of your favorite songs. You could also try taking a break for a couple weeks or even a month then try again, that helps some people.

[tapioca]

My situation (lack of motivation in drums/practicing) is very similar to yours. However, I'm playing in 5 bands atm (in 2 as 'percussionist') and I have started an internship, in which I have to work 40 hours a week. This means I go to work, come home, having 2-3 hours free time (in which I have to eat dinner and in which I have to do housework) and then I'm going to one of my rehearsals. Eventually I'm home at about 10:30pm, which means I have one hour until I should go to bed. => not much time to get daily practice under my belt (and I recently moved, so my new neighbours are not that fond of me practicing on my practice kit).
But I feel the same as you, I'm bored of my playing (2 of the bands, where I'm playing drums only need basic drumming though) and I can't seem to get to learn something new or improve something of my playing, because I get very bored or in other words frustrated of my playing. It's not that bad, or those bands would have kicked me out already, but for myself I feel I'm not making any progress anymore.
I reckon the frustration results from not having enough time to practice and thus not making consistent improvements. so I'm looking forward to the last day of my internship. beside dvds or books to raise your interest in drumming again, I'd recommend getting a teacher or at least get some drummers as your friends, so you can swap ideas.

[ant_182]

If you want a new kit then get rid of those poopty pedals you have and get a new one :p


As for motivation, find videos of your favourite drummer(s) and watch them. Same with bands you like. Also try something new on the kit, ie. james brown? Play along to his tracks :)

[lewisniven]

re-arrange your kit, get some new music, and just jam out.

dont challenge yourself, just play simple fun stuff, you'll soon get your drumming mojo back.

[Zebba]

^ That's what I do rearrange my kit, did it the other day now I am loving it.

[the_pure_drummer]

Hmmm i will i think. When ive got some spare time ill tear down my kit and build what i fancy jamming on. As for new music can anyone recommend me some good play along songs?

I am also selling some stuff if anyone is interested, maybe you ant?

http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?p=17233846#post17233846

[Damo]

Get into a band.

[billdrum]

Exactly what I was thinking, Damo. There is only so much you can do in a practice room. Music is a performance medium. Working with other musicians, and playing in front of an audience is an equally important part of musical development. It's also the fun part!

[Chippy569]

-try taking a hiatus
-Do something new -- add, subtract, rearrange, move etc. an instrument
-Watch/try/do something for fun -- concert, instructional video, etc.

[We_Love_Lime]

Maybeeee
Take a drum solo you really like and transcribe it?

[_Wrathchild_]

Are you taking lessons at all right now? I find I often get into a slump during the summer months when I have no teacher. But usually if I get some new material it gets me motivated to play again. Buy a new book or dvd, or go to a drum clinic and learn about some new concepts or something. Maybe try to learn a challenging new song. Stuff like this usually gets me motivated again. Playing with others is a great idea too.

[Det_Nosnip]

Well, I remember most of the "breakdown" moments usually occured just before my playing evolved considerably, so stick with it and see what happens. Otherwise...

Try learning another instrument or two - that's what I did. :p There are some aspects of music that drumming simply does not access, which can be confining. You might also try composing, even if it's strictly percussive. If you're dead-set on sticking to drums, trying learning a new genre of music, something that will occupy your mind like jazz or latin music.

Gear will never be a long term motivation...you'll play alot more for a while to "justify" spending the money and then get right back into the old habits again.

[some jive turkey]

Interesting thread.

I have had similar issues with working out and drumming. It seems I only have so much self-discipline to go around to whatever areas of life that I apply it to. It seems I can only continuously progress in one are OR the other at a time.

Check out a book titled "Mastery" by George Leonard.

He writes about spending a lot of time on the plateau (of your development), and learning to love the plateau along the path of mastery. He also writes about having a centering practice to do everyday that helps you attend to other areas of life. If there is a way to make your fitness goals an every day centering practice, then it might be possible to get more stuff done in a day. Just a thought.

Also, buying new stuff doesn't seem like a good answer if you already have nice gear. I know what it's like to have GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) I have 4 kits, but at least I use them all for one thing or another.

[Damo]

Remember, a players confidence improves before their physical ability. I guess its about having the 'courage' to branch out into new territory.

Drums are a band instrument, plain and simple. Withe the exception of perhaps Bozzio and a few other completely niche players and styles, drums are part of a bigger entity, called a band. If you dont ever get into one, then you really cannot know what its all about to be a drummer.

Try that before quitting.

[Zebba]

Remember, a players confidence improves before their physical ability. I guess its about having the 'courage' to branch out into new territory.

Drums are a band instrument, plain and simple. Withe the exception of perhaps Bozzio and a few other completely niche players and styles, drums are part of a bigger entity, called a band. If you dont ever get into one, then you really cannot know what its all about to be a drummer.

Try that before quitting.

Band is a bit of a generalization I mean you could just Jam with a guitarist and bassist which is what I do and we don't consider ourselves as a band, just weekend jammers.

[Damo]

^ Thats still a band.

[dairyairman]

yeah, i would have to agree with the band thing. before i started playing with other musicians, all i would do is play along to songs with my headphones on. i started getting bored and i would go for weeks without playing anything. about 4 years ago i started jamming with friends and now i'm in a fairly high powered, successful band. it's been a real eye opener, that's for sure, and it's taken me down musical paths i never would've imagined. i have a teacher now too, and that's also helped keep things interesting. it seems like there's an infinity of stuff to learn and get better at. i don't see any end to it.

[DemonicRubberDucky]

I'd have to agree with the jammers on here. I just picked up a guitarist and bassist recently, and during the times we jam i feel really motivated.

[Drum Phil]

re-arrange your kit, get some new music, and just jam out.

dont challenge yourself, just play simple fun stuff, you'll soon get your drumming mojo back.

Yeah, that's what i do and ever since i swapped my kit into an ambidextrous setup i find myself playing it more

[the_pure_drummer]

Well i had a good play today and it felt good. Kept things simple with RHCP and RATM and a peice i'm working on.

Might buy Groove essentials 2......anyone got it?

[We_Love_Lime]

I have the first one.
Meh.

:p

[ant_182]

Well it sounds silly, but I prefer to play to my mp3 than my band right now. :( Its still fun though. and yeh, I've started to play guitar/bass recently and its really helping me I think. But seriously just try different things, like you wouldnt before :)

[the_pure_drummer]

I have the first one lime and i thought it was awsome so i just ordered the second.

[We_Love_Lime]

Sounds good.
I just thought it was cheesy, like most play alongs are though.
I guess it's an invaluable learning tool. I'm sure it'll get you motivated for the time being. Cheers.

[Damo]

The second Groove Essentials DVD is awesome!

[_Wrathchild_]

Where have I been? I didn't even know there was a second Groove Essentials!

[We_Love_Lime]

Lol
Me neither.

[sweet_nothings]

Get a girlfriend who thinks drumming is hot.

That'll cure your motivation problems, but then you have the problem of the girlfriend.

[fishbulb]

Can't solve all of your problems in one blow, now can ya? :thumb:

[We_Love_Lime]

Get a girlfriend who thinks drumming is hot.

That'll cure your motivation problems, but then you have the problem of the girlfriend.

Lolll

[\m/-CHeV-\m/]

I've had teh same problem before. but thinka bout it. are your eally that bored? look at it like this: would yous ell your drumset even if someone payed you 10 grand for it? (figuratively). no of course not. just find different things to practice. play along to songs youve always liked but never jammed to. find fresh stuff to play!

[Damo]

would yous ell your drumset even if someone payed you 10 grand for it?
Where do I sign?

[_Wrathchild_]

Haha yeah, I would totally sell my kit for 10 grand! I could buy a much better kit and still have money left over to buy other awesome things. Or to pay my tuition I guess. I should probably do that first :(

[We_Love_Lime]

Lol.
Who wouldn't sell their set for 10 grand?
Is that 10 grand Australian?
Or US?
Or Canadian?
Which one's better?
Regardless

[static]

kill yourself

[Zildjian]

Well i had a good play today and it felt good. Kept things simple with RHCP and RATM and a peice i'm working on.

Might buy Groove essentials 2......anyone got it?

Its an okay dvd, The first one was still better.

And about your situation, Ive been like that for the past month or so. But completely opposite. my problem is with the band, my kits there and the electric kit is not enough. Im ready to drain my savings on a new kit.

But turn on the radio or buy a cd of bands you dont really know and play along to it, I bought a few Phish cd's and been jamming to it, its amazing. You can only play a RATM song so many times before it gets old (coming from experience)

[Drum Phil]

I've had teh same problem before. but thinka bout it. are your eally that bored? look at it like this: would yous ell your drumset even if someone payed you 10 grand for it? (figuratively). no of course not. just find different things to practice. play along to songs youve always liked but never jammed to. find fresh stuff to play!

Unless your kit cost more than that, who WOULDNT sell their kit for 10k?

[lewisniven]

Where do I sign?

agreed.

id carry the thing to his house, by hand, across the mountain passes of middle earth if I had to for that sort of money.

[Retarded Chipple]

I feel like i'm crap and i'm doing the same thing over and over in the same room and getting very bored easily. Some days ill sit down play the same song ive been practicing for months once and then get up and leave because i'm annoyed at myself for being a shitty player.

Seems to me like you're practising with no real direction or goal.

If you don't like your playing, don't get annoyed....take action!

First off, you need to be more specific. You can't just say "I'm a shitty player" because that will get you nowhere. Record yourself playing and work out what exactly makes you think you're a "shitty" player. Remember not to overlook what's sounding good in your playing otherwise you'll get even more depressed! Give yourself praise where it's due and spend time working on improving the weaker aspects of your playing. Don't forget to record a before and after to help you track your progress. Trust me, when you start to notice an improvement, you'll be on a high.


I also totally agree you get into a band as well. Coming up with parts to original songs and playing with other people will stimulate your mind in a way playing alone in your bedroom won't.

[Damo]

Who wouldn't sell their set for 10 grand?
Well, come to think of it, mine IS worth more than that. But Im not a 'horder', and would gladly get another one!

Im quite fond of the new Red Tribal finish from Sonor.

[Zebba]

I for one would defiantly sell my kit or 10k, go and buy all the stuff over again and still have around 7k to spare.

Just get another hobby, dont flood yourself with just drum's, dont be narrow minded, you will either find you will come back to it or not, just happens.

[trysthedrummer]

I make music with Reason 4 so I can drum to and record to when I get the chance!

Maybe take a different direction with what you're currently listening to?

[M@xwell]

you just gotta try new things to keep yourself interested sometimes. even if that means playing a totally different style than you're used to.

[rohbit]

Hey dude, I totally feel your plight. I got "kicked" out of my band (not literally, but we parted ways since I wasn't able to commit to the level they needed me to due to my academic pursuits) and it's been a struggle to drum; however, recently, my friend who's also a drummer showed me the way he does doubles at high speeds and I had an epiphany. I too could do them, I just was going about it in the wrong way. Lately I've been on my practice pad a lot more trying to get control of my doubles and additionally work in triplets.

I think the issue here lies in the fact that there's nothing new you want to learn and your drumming has plateaued. As many have suggested, trying to find a band (like I'm currently doing) and additionally, taking drumming lessons, can totally open you up to a world of stuff you've never done.

I'm trying to work my way out of my rutt, I hope you figure out how to get out of yours.