The beat goes on. (Drum Summit 2001).

Canadian Musician, Nov-Dec, 2001, by Julian Mainprize

Although we've heard countless jokes told at our expense,
few that tell these jokes would disagree that a good drummer is invaluable.
Forget about how good the lead player is, how solid the bass player,
or how powerful your singer's voice is, if the drummer isn't happening, neither is the band.
First and foremost, a drummer must be able to play consistent, solid time.
It doesn't matter how impressive the decoration,without a foundation to hold the band together, the structure will fall.

Many top drummers have made very successful careers from simply providing a solid foundation.
There are those who go as far as refusing to play solos;
there are also those who have built their craft well beyond its base.
Below is a broad collection of drummers.
They each play different styles of music and all have different strengths.
Some are technicians, some groove disciples, and some musical geniuses.
What they all share though is a profound dedication to their instrument.
Ignore your own stylistic preferences and take the time to read
what each of these professionals has to say.
Take the time to also listen to some of their recordings and go see them play live.
All of these drummers will tell you that listening to as many different drummers from
as many different styles is essential in the development of your own sound.
The whole categorization of musical styles is a marketing scheme developed by record labels.
Ignore it. From Jazz to Death Metal, good drumming is good drumming.
It should all inspire us or at least educate us.

These drummers all agree that if your interest is becoming a successful professional drummer,
having the necessary dedication and desire is essential. There will be people that will discourage you,
Don't let them. You will likely encounter a lot of personal frustration and disappointment. Overcome it.
There can be huge rewards -- like spending your life doing something you love doing and do well.
Perseverance is key.
There are many people that have the misconception that being a musician is an easy ride.
It's not.
It's a profession like any other, you have to put in the hours.
Yes, you can get lucky breaks, but when you do, you'd better have your craft together.
None of the drummers listed below arrived where they are at today by pure chance.
Hear them play and you'll know right away that they all worked very hard at something
that they are obviously passionate about.
You'd think that with such a variety of different drummers there would be a
corresponding variety of answers. While all of these drummers have different drumming backgrounds-- some started in pre-school, others in high school -- and have taken different paths to arrive where they are now, their answers show that they still share many things in common.

Take for instance the fact that the majority of these drummers, despite the fact that they are seasoned pros,still get frustrated with their playing and need external inspiration to help overcome this.
This is not just something that young drummers go through.
Mickey Curry talks of having wanted to "give up" at times, but then finding himself even more driven.
Doubt is a natural part of anyone's development, but knowing that even the pros go through
it should help reassure us and keep us moving towards our goals.
Embrace your flaws, isolate them and do whatever it takes and however long it takes to overcome them.
One thing that each one of these drummers recommends is practicing with a click track.
This makes so much sense. If you practice with a click both passively, listening to it as simply a reference, and actively, actually making a point of locking in with every note, your sense of time will improve.
When it comes time to play with the rest of the band, your drumming will still breathe naturally,
but noticeable tempo fluctuations will be eliminated.It's just a guide, not a dictator.
Let it lead you in the right direction. If you want a solid time foundation in your playing -- believe me, all the players in your band want you to have this -- then practice with a click.
Not only will it improve your time, if you plan to do any studio recording, knowing how to play with a click will save you time and money, and will make your engineer/producer very happy.
Another widely shared opinion amongst these drummers is that a good knowledge of melody and harmony can really help your drumming.

Knowing how to play another instrument is the best way to accumulate this knowledge.
Get yourself a cheap guitar, keyboard, bass, whatever and start lifting lines off your favourite recordings. Take some piano or theory lessons.
The more you know about what the other musicians in your group are playing,
the better you'll be able to compliment it.
Odd time signatures are becoming more and more commonplace in all styles of contemporary music from metal to pop to jazz.
Being able to play odd time signatures comfortably will help get you gigs.
Plus they are a great challenge and in the end mastering them will open up the door to so many more ideas when playing in standard 4/4 or 3/4.
There goes the excuse that you'll never use them.
Like learning anything, learning odd time signatures takes time. Be patient, use a drum machine pattern as a reference and explore.
Listen to recordings that incorporate odd time signatures.
Pretty soon you'll be just as comfortable playing in 7/4 as you are in 4/4. Plus they are fun!

One topic all these drummers agreed on unanimously had to do with discipline and practice.
There are no short cuts when it comes to practice, in fact, the slower and more patient you are, the faster you will improve.
Mastering the drums is a long and involved process. Set realistic goals for yourself. Practice what needs to be practiced.
Don't pump your ego by repeating things you can already play. Above all don't rush your chops. If you can't play something relaxed,
it will not sound relaxed and you will likely end up hurting yourself, which will just slow down the whole development process.
Besides hard work, there is no one method, no secret that will reveal all,
But each of these drummers has an insight into the art of drumming.
Listen to what they have to say and have an unbiased listen to their recordings.
The appeal of their music and their style will of course depend on personal taste but their drumming achievements should be apparent.
Above all, check them out live, recordings are no substitute for the real thing.
CM has gathered together five drummers for advice on their successful habits, tricks, secrets, and pitfalls so you can learn from what hindered them,
and skip that problem step in your own career. David Garibaldi, drummer from Tower of Power was interviewed at a separate time,
and the questions vary somewhat, so his advice stands on its own.
The rest of the group, consisting of Peruvian percussionist Alex Acuna,
session drummer/educator Rick Gratton, The Tea Party's Jeff Burrows,
and last, but by no means least, is long-time drummer for Bryan Adams, Mickey Curry.

Why did you start playing the drums?

Rick Gratton: It just felt like the right thing to do!

Alex Acuna: I was four years of age when I started playing the drums. I come from a very musical family and was always around the music environment. My father was a music teacher and all my brothers, all six of them, play various musical instruments.

Jeff Burrows: Because I was playing piano, but as a youngster I was involved with sports and piano didn't seem like much of a team sport. My father played the drums so it seemed like the perfect alternative.
Mickey Curry: I started playing drums at the age of 11. There was a music program at my school, and drum lessons were part of that. I thought it was very cool to carry around a practice pad and a pair of sticks.

When did you first decide to get serious about playing the drums and why?

Alex Acuna: I always had a deep love for the drums. I decided to get serious when I was 10 years old because I needed to help my family with the expenses of having a big family so I started playing with my father and brothers and gigging around the coast of Peru.

Rick Gratton: When I was six years old, which is when I started and I was dictated to by instinct.

Jeff Burrows: I've always been serious -- I had my first band when I was 11.

Mickey Curry: I think I got serious about drumming when I realized that I was fairly good at it during high school -- and I could play songs with other musicians.

Did you have a lot of encouragement from others about choosing to be a professional drummer?

Alex Acuna: Yes, the encouragement was initially from my family, and basically, I joined the family business. My brothers were very accomplished musicians in Lima and when I turned 16, they began recommending me for studio work.

Rick Gratton: Mainly from my family. They were very supportive.

Jeff Burrows: No, not particularly.

Mickey Curry: I was always encouraged to play, even at an early age. My first teacher, Ned Tarrantino (the school music teacher) told my parents that I had some natural ability, and they should get me a drum kit, which they did. They were very supportive of me, and still are.

Did you have any negative reactions and how did you deal with these?

Alex Acuna: No, I never had any negative reaction from anybody. If there was, I was never aware of it.

Rick Gratton: Yes and no -- my reaction to any negativity at that young age didn't register because I was so young and just really into it.

Jeff Burrows: Yes. I had some negative reactions but I chose to ignore them and continue on my path.

Mickey Curry: I never really had any negative reaction to my wanting to play drums, but I do remember an English teacher of mine telling me that it was a silly idea to think I could actually play drums for a living, and that I should seriously reconsider my options. I've never forgotten that.

What drummers/music did you listen to in the early years of your development? What/who do you listen to now?

Alex Acuna: I have always listened to great music -- Classical composers, Cuban Music, Jazz and the music of my heritage. I'm still listening to the great musicians of this world, not just drummers and not just one style.

Rick Gratton: Everyone from Buddy Rich to Tony Williams, Billy Cobham, etc. I listened to a lot of jazz and fusion. Pretty much all kinds of music. I still learn more when listening to fusion though.

Jeff Burrows: Stewart Copeland, John Bonham, Neil Peart (of course), and big band drummers such as Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich and Max Roach. I really enjoy and still listen to all of the big band drummers and of the modern vein it would have to be Carter Beauford, Chad Smith and Taylor Hawkins.

Mickey Curry: When I was a kid, the only drummer I truly idolized was Danny Seraphine, in Chicago. He was absolutely my favourite guy, but as I got into playing more, I listened to everything I could. I loved John Bonham, Ian Paice, Ginger Baker and Keith Moon. I also studied the session guys; Roger Hawkins, Bernard Purdie, Jim Gordon, Jim Keltner, Steve Gadd, and a bunch more, too many to list. The older I got, the more I took in; Jeff Porcaro, Benny Benjamin, Kenny Buttree and John Guerin.

How important is it to listen to drummers in other musical styles, and just other styles of music from the one(s) you play?

Alex Acuna: It is very important to listen to other drummers and all musical styles because that is how to grow technically and gain a wider understanding of different rhythms. I still listen to Cuban drummers! percussionists, etc.

Also, I listen to all the music that touches my heart, with good melodies, harmonies and rhythms.

Rick Gratton: It's where you get a good part of your education.

Jeff Burrows: Being in The Tea Party it's obvious that we listen to various kinds of music (drummers). I feel it is very important for not only musicians, but also listeners in general to surround themselves with musical styles from around the world.

Mickey Curry: I've always been a fan of music in general. I don't really have a favourite style. It's important I think to listen to everything. Even if you don't like something in particular, there is surely something to appreciate about it.

How did you develop your own approach to drumming?

Alex Acuna: I'm constantly developing my own voice by playing from my heart and playing very musically, with good time and feel -- always with the goal of good teamwork with my fellow musicians (just having fun)! Also, every time I see or hear something new and fresh, I grasp the essence of it, and in some way, incorporate it into my own drumming.

Jeff Burrows: My approach to drumming was largely influenced by the bandmates I've played with throughout my life -- especially Jeff Martin and Stuart Chatwood, as well as being so very influenced by the world beat scene.

Mickey Curry: I've always been a believer in "less is more." My approach has always been simple; keep great time, with lots of feel, and let the guitarist take all the solos! This "keep it simple" thing I think comes from my love of early Motown and R&B records; they were the ones I could play along with and work on feel.

How important do you think it is to be able to play a second instrument in addition to the drums?

Alex Acuna: It is very important to play another instrument because it will give you more understanding of the different concepts of music and forms. It helps you to develop your ear training and pitch, especially when you start playing serious music like jazz, classical and Latin-jazz - to be an all around musician, It's important to improve your sight-reading of music (not just rhythms) and to become a more melodic player.

Rick Gratton: Very important because most gigs you play, you're not playing with three or four other drummers so it helps to hear melodic changes in tunes to help guide you through the piece.

Jeff Burrows: I don't think it's very important, but it never hurts to be able to play a tonal instrument.

Mickey Curry: I think it's good for a drummer to be able to play another instrument, even if it's just a little. It's good to be able to relate to melody as well as time and rhythm.

How important a factor is discipline in becoming a professional drummer?

Alex Acuna: Discipline in general is very good - to practice regularly, to schedule our time and to be able to develop as a professional, responsible and reliable musician.

Rick Gratton: Depends on what kind of discipline -- I think you have to have it all together from practicing to having your business chops together etc.

Jeff Burrows: Obviously discipline is very important. There is so much more involved in being a professional drummer than I playing alone.

Mickey Curry: To be good at anything, you need a certain amount of discipline. You've got to practice, and you have to be able to apply what you know in a given situation.

What sort of practice regiment do you have currently? How does it compare to when you were first getting serious about drumming?

Alex Acuna: Every season of my life has been very different and I like to practice what works for me at that particular time and place. I have never had any specific regiment. I always like practicing something new, and I practice all the time - not necessarily with the 'instruments' - but playing on anything available wherever I am. I practice new techniques and new musical concepts, finding that the more I learn, the more I see that I know very little.

Rick Gratton: Pretty much the same a before - I really work on things that challenge me rather than the same old same old stuff!

Jeff Burrows: My practice regime has slowed compared to when I first began. But writing in general has increased dramatically.

Mickey Curry: I don't practice like I used to. If there is something I need to work out (maybe a difficult part or pattern) I practice that, but I think by just playing a lot, it keeps the chops up. I used to practice for hours, either rudiments or books, or by just daying along to records.

What are some of the things you spent a lot of time practicing during your development?

Alex Acuna: I like to practice various independence techniques with goo feel and time. I spend a lot of time developing an overall concept of the styles I will be playing, which in my case, is very variable because I play in a lot of movie soundtracks, and assorted genres like Latin jazz, pop, rock etc. So again, I keep up listening to all kinds of music, especially cutting edge music of today.

Rick Gratton: Time and taste!

Jeff Burrows: Rudiments, rudiment., and rudiments!

Mickey Curry: I had a few great books to study when I was learning. Buddy Rich's Drum Rudiments, Jim Chapin's Art of Modern Drumming, which I still work with. I also would put an album on the turntable and crank the headphones and go!

What do you practice now?

Alex Acuna: I practice to maintain my endurance and my position as a voice in this industry. I practice various combinations of techniques with my four limbs, especially my South American rhythms that are in 3/4 (Peruvian waltzes), 5/8 (Venezuelan Joropo), 6/8 (Peruvian festejos), 9/8 (African Lando) and 12/8 (Spanish Bulerias -- flamenco).
Rick Gratton: Not to really plug it but it is truly a great book: Marco Minnemann's Extreme Interdependence -- it involves four limb independence and it covers the gamut! Great stuff!

Jeff Burrows: Rudiments, rudiments, and rudiments!

How often did/do you find yourself frustrated with your playing and in need of inspiration?

Alex Acuna: I've never felt such a thing about my playing.

Rick Gratton: Most of the time!

Jeff Burrows: I am constantly frustrated and in search of inspiration -- if I weren't, I would be out of ideas!

Mickey Curry: Frustration plays a huge role in development, I think. I've been frustrated so many times, just wanting to give up, but something always gets me to pick the sticks back up and try again.

What do you do when you need inspiration?

Alex Acuna: I've always had some sort of inspiration. When I was younger my inspiration was music and my Peruvian family. When I became a father and got more serious being a professional musician my inspiration became also my wife and children. Now my inspiration to play music is my Lord Jesus Christ plus all the above.

Rick Gratton: Talk to other players and find out their going through the same deal so it's kind of like I'm not alone!

Jeff Burrows: Jam with my best friends.

Mickey Curry: I think hearing a great performance or solo, or groove is quite inspiring. Listen to Jimmy Cobb on Kind of Blue (Miles Davis) and the rivets cymbal work; that's inspiring.

What sort of non-drumming activities do you that help your drumming?

Alex Acuna: I pray a lot, play piano, workout in the gym, do Tai-Bo, go to church and play soccer every Sunday.

Rick Gratton: I love golf for the patience and I'm really into graphic stuff which is like meditation for me -- a quiet mind sometimes is a good thing!

Jeff Burrows: Yoga, motorcycle riding, reading.

Mickey Curry: I think staying healthy is really essential. Drumming is an extremely physical thing, and to do it full out for two or sometimes three hours is draining to say the least. Running is a helpful thing because it increases stamina. I also meditate, which just helps keep the stress down and clears the mind a bit.

How important is it to learn to play to a click track?

Alex Acuna: It is very important as it will help you to develop a peripheral hearing. Your time will also improve tremendously. I recommend it very highly.

Rick Gratton: It's a necessity in today's music. Plus the side benefit is that it helps get your timing together in general.

Jeff Burrows: It has become very important because, more often than not your music is used in re-mixes and producers often get very testy if they have to adjust tempos.

Mickey Curry: You have to be able to play to a click track. A lot of sessions call for you to put drums over a song already recorded, probably to a click or a sequencer of some kind. I practiced a lot over the years to a click. It's essential.

How did you become comfortable playing 'odd' time signatures?

Alex Acuna: By playing my own music in 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. I also mix them together - like playing three with one limb, four with another limb and five with the other limb all at the same time, etc.

Rick Gratton: Like anything else, the more you hear the stuff the more ingrained it becomes so I would practice all different odd time signatures more than the regular 4/4 time - familiarity is a good thing.

Jeff Burrows: Rehearsing odd time signatures is one of the most implicating things you can do as a drummer (especially when it becomes second nature).

Mickey. Curry: I've never been comfortable with odd time signatures, but I've learned to adapt. If it's something complicated, I will write myself a chart, and just count bars. If it's simpler, I just try to feel it, get a pattern going, and try to groove.

What words of advice can you give to young drummers with professional aspirations?

Alex Acuna: Just to persevere in your vision or dream and to believe in what they can become with conviction.

Rick Gratton: Stay motivated and hang in!

Jeff Burrows: Stick with your game plan, write other drummers for advice, don't get your hopes up and be realistic.

Mickey Curry: My only real advice to young drummers is to listen to everything, and try to appreciate what it is you're hearing. Don't be a musical snob. All kinds of music are important, as is every kind of drumming style.

What is your current kit set-up, please name products you use; and what would you recommend in particular to another drummer as a piece of equipment you simply can't live without?

Alex Acuna: I play the Birch custom Yamaha drum DTX electronic kit, a combination of AZUKA, As, Ks, and Constantinople Zildjian cymbals. My signature Vic Firth sticks, signature Yamaha timbales, signature Toca Cajon, Shure mics, Evans drumheads. I don't want to offend anyone but I can't live without the Bible - it is my very best weapon and piece of equipment, truly.

Rick Gratton: Sabian cymbals, Pearl drums, Regal drumsticks and Attack drumheads - anyone of these products and their various models and sizes work for me. Couldn't live without my DRUMSTICKS!

Jeff Burrows: DXV drums, kick, snare, 1 rack tom, 2 floor toms, Sabian cymbals (many), Remo drumheads and Pro-mark drum sticks. For tonal quality and road-worthiness I would recommend DW Drums, and for the best tonal resonance and craziest cymbal sounds I recommend anything by Sabian.

Mickey Curry: My current set-up: 26" kick; 14" & 16" floor toms; 10" rack; 14 x 7" birch shell snare; 13 x 8" side snare; 17", 18", 19" A custom crash cymbals; 21" sweet ride; 15" new beat hi-hats; 20" rivets; 18" rivets; I play Yamaha maple custom drums; Zildjian cymbals; Evans drumheads; and Regal Tip sticks. The one piece of equipment I can't live without is my stick bag. I bought it in New York in 1969, and have had it with me since. I'd be lost without it