DRUMMER CAFE - Community Drum & Percussion Forum

Lately, my friends have been telling me to cut back on the drums. I practice about 2-3 hours daily, and I get all my homework done, and I do pretty well on quizzes, but when a test comes around, I can't motivate myself to study, and I end up failing the test. According to the classic online IQ test, my IQ is 138. I could get straight A's, but how can I motivate myself. Not to brag, but I am the best drummer in my school, and possibly the best in the whole school district(I don't go to school in my hometown, and if I did, I would only be in the top 10 or 15), let alone the hardest hitting one. I like having that pride to hold me up. I suck at all sports, and am only good at 1 other thing besides drums--video games. So, I need to keep that pride, or I will just be torn in 2. How can I get good grades, and still be good at drums? Moreover, how can I motivate myself. Please, help me! I have tried motivating myself, but I can't. Help! ???

You must be in the wrong place.  

You need www.DrPhil.com

 ;)

Sorry, as a self-professed genius/slacker myself, I don't have the answer.  I never failed a test or class in my life though.

Imagine yourself at 40, mopping floors for a living.

Grades get you into college. College gets you out of janitorial work. And out of greeting people at WalMart.

Now more than ever, you need college, unless you have a marketable technical or labor-oriented skill, like being a mechanic or a plumber or electrician. Those are perfectly good jobs, and they pay decently.

But why not give yourself some options? You'll only be young once. Make the most of it, and treat your education as if your future is riding on it. Because it probably is.

Put some pressure on yourself. Don't look for others to do it for you.

Yeah, what he said.

Just as an aside: No offense man but, a truly good drummer wouldn't claim to be the best in the school, let alone the district. When you start saying that kind of thing is when you stop picking up on what the other guys are doing that you aren't, even if you have got 27 other rudiments up on them.

And on topic; If you're doing all the homeworks and doing okay on the quizzes, aren't those full of the stuff that's gonna be in the test? I remember back in the day I used to do it all in class and then do nothing and pass all the tests. Used to be fine. But now I'm at University and just scrapin' through, makes you lazy being quick to pick things up. Stupid lectures. I miss the all out tutorial type action of school, so much easier to remember it all. But back to topic ...

For motivation, make it all about learning the other facets of drumming. Do your english things on the history of Ludwig or Zildjian or whoever, and when doing maths imagine how you'd apply it to designing your own kit, and in shop imagine how it would apply to actually building your own kit, even try and make something if you're allowed to. But all in all, just drop half an hour/an hour of drums to learn about your drums.

You need the grades.  They need to be a priority in your life.  Steal some time from practicing and video games and use it to study.  Make a study area that's quiet and free from distractions.  I don't want to come off as a heretic in this forum, but study first, then practice drums.

Maybe you need the 'what's in it for me?' answered:

you need math. . . to better understand music; to balance a checkbook; to determine if your future record company is giving you a good deal

you need english. . . to be able to read that record company contract; to communicate in meetings

you need history... to understand how things got to be they way they are

you need science... to better understand the physics of drumming (and video games); to understand how stuff works

Write this phrase on a little card and look at it often for inspiration:

Do you want fries with that?

I think you received some good motivative answers above. Think about them and decide if you want to be abd can be an excellent drummer for the rest of your life. You know, have and raise a family, put them thru school and pay for everything that is needed. Maybe you'll need additonal income to carry out you wants and needs, but you don't have the education to compete in todays job market. Really think about it and think about what Mr. A. said. He's probably that class of drummer you're striving to be, yet he's telling you about the education you will need. That should turn on some lights in your mind. Get the most out of everything you do and then still look for more. You can never have enough education.

I mostly get that from other people.

I have heard:

"You play drums very well"
"You are a great drummer"
"You have really made a difference in our band"
"You did really good"
"You rock"
"Good job/Good job today"

I say:

I may be very good, but I am not some great almighty.

So, I am not taking the best drummer thing just from myself. I have been heavily complemented in the past, and hailed above other drummers that I know, even though I treat those drummers almost as well as I do myself.

And anyway, I do better on things when they aren't required of me, or when I can go to get help with them anytime. With a test, it's either study, or you're screwed. I have never gotten 100% on a test as long as I have been at my current school, and it is my third year here. My IQ may be 138, but I feel like such a dummy.

As we always say, 'best' is a subjective thing.
In fact it's always best (in my experience) to try to be a bit modest. For one thing you never know when something's going to come along and slap you down to reality. Like the realisation that "oh, I'm really not that good after all".  ???

You mention needing to "keep that pride" and such.  It seems to me that you're putting your self-worth in your abilities.  You are more than your drum set chops.  Your identity is not wrapped up in your drumming.  Who you are as a person is much more than your skills.

I also agree that if you're doing your HW and doing well on quizzes, then you really shouldn't be failing tests.  Weird. :-\

LOL, excellent return using my name there, but you'll note it's about being an almighty taco, not a a particularly threatening force to begin with. But yeah, I was just noting that in case you were getting carried away with that kind of thought, gots to be careful.

And I totally feel your "when it's not required of me" call, as soon as it's an assessment it ain't as much fun. A certain degree of fear becomes involved and you don't really wanna know about it. I've managed to do it anyway but working on ignoring the crunch time factor might help you immensely. Do things purely for doing them, and you want to, and just try to ignore that outside pressure. An iffy and subjective idea, will quite likely fail many times over, but once you get it you'll be sorted.

Thank you guys. You have helped me a little. :)

My lips are smacking. I could do with one of those, the Mexican food in Europe is more like dog food.  :-X

Don't take the complements or the criticisms too seriously. The results of your abilities, gigs, and other opportunities to play will tell the tale.

As for school work I would think that if you were putting your full efforts into those quizzes and homework you would have all the knowledge you need to pass tests. Maybe you aren't getting the most out of the homework you are doing. The homework should be designed to teach you the content of the course. Make the most out of the work you do and your grades will improve.

He,he... ;D

Lol the only reason I do homework is because I am REQUIRED to do it. Same with everything else I hate doing.

And I am pissed at my english teacher. I worked hard on this essay we wrote and I got a D!

I know it isn't her falt, but I am still mad.

My mom will be home anytime now, and hopefully she will understand.
I think that I am just not good at taking tests. I don't get it. I have an IQ of 138, but I am a complete 3-watt in school.

I...don't...GET IT!!! >:(

Sorry, I had to blow off some steam. ;D You're post helped me, by the way. :D

Ummm,.......
No comment.

Guess what? Most people don't do as well on stuff they hate, unless they put extra effort into it.



An IQ is (an arguable) measurement not of what you CAN do, but what you COULD do if you put your mind to it. Some things are easier for you than others. It's that way for everybody. Sounds like drumming is coming pretty easy for you - probably a lot easier than it comes to most people. It didn't come easy to me, but I got good at it, by working my @ss off. Sounds like you need to try that on your schoolwork.

Your IQ is meaningless, unless you do something with it. Even then, it's arguable how important it is. But an IQ that high is probably a safe indication that you have a fairly good brain. Now DO something with it. Give your studies extra efforts, trying even harder at the stuff that's hardest for you.

Many people simply shy away from anything that's hard. If I had done that, I wouldn't be a drummer. School is hard for you. Bummer, but you've got enough brain cells that you SHOULD be able to do well, IF YOU WORK HARD.

To simply say you're "no good at tests" is a cop-out. It's an indication that there's something you need to work on: getting better at tests! Don't treat these weakness like they're just a given, a fact etched in stone. They're not. They are opportunities to improve, but you'll only improve if you buckle down and WORK. It may be hard. It may not be fun. Welcome to life. It's that way, more of the time than it's not.

Get used to things being hard. Don't spend time whining about it; instead, start tackling the things that are hard, intent on getting good enough that they won't always be hard for you. Growth is often painful.

Talent is a dangerous thing: when music (or any other skill) comes to easily to a person, they often lose touch with what it's like to really WORK for something. You may be more talented than somebody, but if they WANT it more than you, they will work HARDER than you, and they will go further than you, whether it's school or music or whatever.

Life is hard. Play hard, and you'll do well. But if you just go along for the ride, you may not get anywhere.

I don't say this to be rude. But stop whining and start working. You've got talent AND a decent brain, apparently. That's more than most of us are given.

DO something with it.

Hi X,
I'm a teacher, but that doesn't really make any difference in this conversation,, then again,, maybe it does..  :D
One of the things that I have always liked about teaching was that my education didn't end when I quit school.
Just kept going and keep on learning new stuff all the time!
Along with new Afro-Cuban rhythms, I'm learning calculus now, and it's just because I want to - and perhaps because I need to stay at least a bit ahead of the kids and lead them into some things that may help them in 9th grade.

Obviously you have some curiosity since you say that you don't mind doing the work for things you're interested in.
I guess you're just going for the passing grades in the junk that isn't interesting you, kicking and cursing the whole way.
Personally, I have no faith in the future whatsoever, so I pretty much live each moment as if it's my last. In fact I've spent my entire life not believing in the future, and doing what feels right moment to moment.
I know exactly how you feel, and I can honestly say that everyone is as wrong as they are right about advise involving "thinking of the future".
You may not wake up tomorrow. The future is therefore an imaginary concept.
But, think of your life and ask yourself honestly, did you do what you wanted in this life? (and I mean what makes you feel fulfilled - not the little thoughtless stuff) What will it take to get there? How will you be remembered?

No worries.. Just keep feeding yourself with your interests. And don't settle for anything less than what feels right.
Believe it or not, it all adds up along with everything else to make the man you'll eventually become.
If you make it that far..  ;D

Sometimes, I find myself enormously relieved that there was no Internet when I was in high school.

Look, I'm dreadfully sorry, because I'm about to micturate in your fries.

IQ tests measure your ability to take IQ tests. No more. No less. They have approximately the square root of bugger-all to do with anything else. Stop using that number as a crutch and put some effort in.


You don't get points for style. If you let that put you off, you're in for some serious shocks. Try harder, and get a C next time. Harder still, and get a B. Or an A.

I wouldn't put alot of faith in the  accuracy of the "classic on-line IQ test". I wouldn't allow that test to steer your life path.

Listen to Mr. A. Boy do his statements ring true to me!!

If you work on your weaknesses, your strengths will also improve.
Do all the things you do to the fullest and you will improve your school work and your drumming.

When working on your drumming do more than the things you are already good at. Study theory and other instruments, as well as styles you are not familiar with, to be the best musician you can be.

Do your homework completely and with the motivation that it will help you learn the subject and increase your test scores. Talk to your english teacher to see what she expects from you and make every effort to deliver that.

Drums are not the end all to life, video games are the new "opium of the masses."

You will need more than those to build a life you can enjoy.

After playing in bands for years and living on the typical late night musician's schedule, I had to finally give up my musician's lifestyle of playing til 2 and sleeping/waking late in order that I could do well in school.  I finally graduated from college, but it took my sacrifice of laying off the gigs/jamming and I had to go to bed early and wake up early and study a whole lot.  Instead of band practice, etc., I had to hit the books. It was a tough sacrifice, but it was what I chose to do.  

well, lots of good general advice here, though i'm kinda down with windhorse in the 'what matters is now' ethos.

a couple of thoughts...

1) get a tutor. just because you're very bright doesn't mean you can test well. i never did well on tests. well, actually, i did, but only in subjects i liked. a great tutor can help you compartmentalize your thinking and master the task of test-taking.

2) figure out what kind of learner you are. some people are auditory learners [learn by listening], some are visual [seeing], some are kinesthetic or tactile [doing/feeling/experiencing... being 'hands-on]. you may not be able to customize every subject to your learning style, but recognizing your strengths can help you zero in on your weaknesses and set up a learning system that helps you work with what you've got.

3) make sure you don't need glasses or a hearing aid or something like that. it's hard to recognize those things when you're younger, and they really have a huge impact on your ability to learn.

4) Try to learn conceptually rather than by rote. If you can articulate the subject matter in a few paragraphs rather than try to retain everything on the page, you'll get a better "big picture" sense of what you're learning, rather than meaningless bits of data that don't add up to anything to you.

5) Apply your drumming to your life and schooling. if you are truly a disciplined drummer, you can carry that same attitude over to your studies.

5) When you're ready to graduate, apply to Goddard College. They don't do grades there.  ;D


i have known a LOT of extremely successful people who never went to college, or did well in school. there are other ways to contribute to the planet than just being a good student. even einstein failed math. BUT -- he did say that 'genius was 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration,' so even mr. e=mc2 recognized that talent without application doesn't net you much.

so, no -- grades aren't the end-all, but at the very least, good grades will open up your options, and give you a sense of accomplishment when you see them go up. and if you are naturally smart, you'll want to learn just to learn.


smoggy
[who never was able to get anything above a C- in math, and it really ticks her off!!!]

Hate to be a stickler ('cause your advice was GREAT) but the "genius" quote was made by Thomas Edison.   ;)

My simple thoughts on the matter ...

If you are so smart and fabulous you should know better than to ALLOW yourself to do poorly in school.   Thats right, I said allow, its a choice.  

I was an average high school f-up.  Drugs, bands, not doing homework, general malaise,  but I was smart enough to know that in the end HIGH SCHOOL MATTERS.  So I didnt let myself do poorly.

Use that IQ of yours to figure out a way to succeed.

[size=-2]quick addendum - I am in no way endorsing the use of drugs, bands or malaise at any point in ones life.   Just stating my state of things at the time[/size]

563--

I think that's the best answer I've heard yet!

Amen.

Well, I am studying for my geometry test tomarrow. I am just taking a little break, as to give my brain some rest.

Well, wish me luck, I'm gonna need it... ;D

You dont need luck.  You need more of what youre doing now.  Study.   Like Acro was saying.  If it doesnt come naturally, you have to work for it.   Hate it all you want, but accept it.  

omg, how embarassing! :-X  thank you for the correction. as i was typing, i kept thinking 'was it einstein who said it?' lol!

and maybe he did pass math. but from what i understand, he didn't take too well to classical education.

sorry!!! ??? ;D

Well, that geometry test was pretty darn easy. I guess I don't need luck after all... :)

no wamma study?  no wanna do english?  no problem.  

Just practice these words & you will be OK...

"Welcome to Wal-Mart!"                   (day job)
"Would you like that super-sized?"  (evening job)

 ;D

I'm not sure if you read this thread but it's just another reason to have other options available.

http://community.drummercafe.com/index.php?board=11;action=display;threadid=10931

Mister A was fortunate but life is so unpredictable.  It can easily steer you down a different path.  I really believe going to college is important especially in these times.  If anything, I'd consider looking at pursuing a music degree - it sure wouldn't hurt you.

dc

Well, guess what, that geometry test that I took a few days ago, I found out today that I have an 89% on it. I really gotta keep this up.

I really have to start working harder. I just need to motivate myself to do so.

Or get a study buddy from my school. That is probably my best bet. ;D