DRUMMER CAFE

This came up on another board I hang out on and it struck me as a worth while topic.

Theres always talk about "all chops, no groove", "all groove, no technical skills", "sure he can play rudiments, but can he create", "punk rock is lame", "punk rock is real", etc, etc, etc ... So I thought I'd bring up the topic of musician to musician respect.  

Me?

I'll respect a drummer who is sincere in their craft. Be it a weekend warrior who plays covers, a woodshedder who runs rudiments and hasn't played with another person ever, or the most prolific drum hero out there.

While I personally think creativity is king, I realise that writing isn't for everyone. And those people shouldn't be neglected or looked down on, because of it, if they play, and love playing. Its the sincerity that sells me.

Great topic!

I'm a big advocate of the belief that ANY pleasure somebody derives from playing a musical instrument is valid. You don't have to want to be a pro, or like a certain style of music, or even want to play with anybody.

So in that respect, I respect anybody who's found a way to enjoy drumming.

I taught drums for a little over 20 years, and some of my "best" students were the least "gifted" or "serious" about music. I'll never forget one little girl who was born with badly deformed hands, but who drew great pleasure from learning how to play simple melodies on orchestra bells. I'm prouder of teaching her than of teaching the various pros I've coached, because her joy in her accomplishments was so powerful and so pure.

At a professional level, I dole out my respect a little differently. In a professional drummer, I respect respect. That sounds weird, but I respect drummers who show respect for their craft, whether they're a pyrotechnician or a sledgehammer 2-and-4 player. It takes hard work to play ANY style of music well, so I respect a good punk drummer as much as I do a good jazz drummer. To me, pro drumming is about confidence and conviction - qualities that can be displayed in any musical style.

Well that's my basic starting point.....err I also respect a few people who aren't good at what they do, if I like their attitude, they are sincere, or they are obviously trying.
In a perfect world it would be great if everyone respected each other.
There are two hurdles however;
1) Music is a passionate business. I often find myself bitterly opposing someones musical point of view, but get on with them like a house on fire outside of music.
2) Music is a tremendously competative game.
Most people want peer respect, want to achieve goals, want to make their mark (even if that's just around the local scene).
After a while the 'slings and arrows' toughen you up and it's easy to get cynical and confrontational.
To go full circle though, I think I know what I'm capable of and I'm highly respectful of those who've taken their skills further than me, be that a jazz or pop drummer (of any gender btw).

I agreee with all of you.

Stan...

I respect anyone who is sincere about their art, regardless of the chosen genre.  I don't care how good they are, as long as they are sincere about exploring the craft, then I support them.

I respect those who try hard, for sure. But I also respect gifted monster drummers who don't practice at all. I may be a bit envious, maybe hate their attitude if it's lousy. But hey, it's their thing. As long as it doesn't clash with me, all's well.

I really have some VERY strong feelings about what stuff I like and what I don't (though my tastes are pretty broad these days), and about how stuff is done, the effort that goes into it, etc. But I don't think those criteria qualify to really deny any musician my respect. Not on a primary level, if that makes any sense. I've been called noisy, loud, etc, just for what styles I've played. I'm not playing that game though.

Dude, we're drummers, not musicians!

Everyone has their bag, you know?  And that's pretty cool.  It'd be really boring without different people filling different niches in drumming.  

Within my own family... my brother never gravitated to set.  He enjoyed marching with timp-toms - baritone timp-toms at that.  My other brother never developed any real liking for concert drumming - it was all about drumset for him.  My sister never strayed away from mallet percussion.  I was the only one of us who dabbled in all of it.

I have a lot of respect for guys/gals who can rip through rudiments.  Likewise for those who can play mallet percussion.  It's nice to be amazed and humbled by a drummer colleague.  It keeps me on my toes.

I'll tell you I disrespect musicians who are lazy about moving gear.

I also particularly respect drummers who don't overplay and can just play simply and solidly without feeling the need to show off their chops.

I also respect musicians who are hardworking and have paid their dues by playing in dive bars.

I also respect musicians who create / write their own songs and, yes, play instruments , as opposed to some "musicians" who seem to "make it" these days without paying their dues, playing instruments, or creating their own music.