Have you ever done something that changed your life? Do you have that one thing you can’t imagine what your life would be like without it? Something so ingrained into who you are that even other people can tell. I have something like that and it’s called drumming. Drumming has changed my life and here’s how.
1. I became involved in something
After learning the basics of drumming, I joined the High School Marching Band in 7th grade. This was the first time I had exposure to the high school in my city. I was scared and thought I was terrible compared to everyone else. Looking back on it, I really wasn’t that much behind everyone one else. After a year in the ensemble, I was hooked and it became the reason I went to school every day. I stayed in the group for another six years and have had some of the best and worst experiences of my life there.
2. I learned about the existence of Jazz
Through drumming, I was able to join many groups. I was a part of concert band, percussion ensemble, marching band, orchestra, and my favorite, jazz band. The jazz band was by far the best decision I made in high school. I love jazz and playing it the jazz ensemble is one of the happiest memories I have. I was able to find pieces I liked and play them with my friends. The instructor would find challenging pieces to help us improve. We would play for hours, but it seemed like only minutes went by. What could be better than doing something you love with all your friends?
3. I made friends
After I joined the marching band. I met many people when I joined and it was great, but I didn’t really want to be friends with any of them. Everyone there was in high school already and had their own friends and groups that I didn’t want to intrude upon. Then I met Brendan, my best friend to this day. He was a 7th grader just like me, we were the only two people who were invited from the middle school. Friends from middle school came after a year or two, so we weren’t the only younger kids there and we made many more friends as time went on for the next six years of primary and secondary school.
4. I learned how to better myself
Drumming used to be something I was forced to do. In 5th grade, I hated going to my lesson because we were only practicing another aspect of percussion, xylophone. I was not very good at playing the xylophone and it really irked me that I was forced to practice something I hated. After 5th grade, I started playing the snare drum and I came to love practicing and becoming better every time for it. I loved the idea that I could something to better myself as a percussionist or even as a person. No matter what I was doing, I thought of ways it could be applied to my life and help me make myself better.
5. I developed a habit
Drumming is not something you can just do. Even if you have a talent for it, it’s not easy to play at a high level without practicing. I reason people can play really fast and clean is because they practice. Anyone can play a rhythm if they practice it enough, but to be a percussionist you have to go beyond that. Percussionists practice until their hands hurt and can barely hold a stick correctly. This type of practicing builds your chops, which means how well you play or are able to play. The only way to build your chops is to practice on a regular basis. I have made a habit of practicing every day for about 30 minutes to an hour. I am not the best drummer in the world, but I will never be out of practice and that is enough for me.
6. Drumming enabled me to travel
Drumming has allowed me to see many places across the United States. Between the marching band and percussion ensemble, I have been to four states. I went to Washington D.C to play in front of the Lincoln Memorial. I have also been to Connecticut and Rhode Island for various competitions. Lastly, I have been to Ohio for the WGI world championships. I loved every trip and gained many great memories that I will cherish forever as I move on to other stages of my life.
7. I was able to express myself
I am not very good at expressing myself. I am not sure why and frankly, It was a problem for me. Drumming has helped me gain the skills needed to express myself in a way I find suitable. There are so many styles to drumming that there has to be one that can express who you see yourself as. For me, it was jazz drumming. I enjoy it the most and I think it is where I am the strongest. I can express many things with jazz drumming, even things I don’t know I’m expressing.
8. I gained an appreciation for music
I never cared much for music. It was just something to sing or listen to, but I never knew that I wasn’t really listening. After learning to play the drums, I gained a new appreciation for music. Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t start listening for melodies and harmonies or whether an artist was using a floor tom or bass drum in their music, but I did understand how much time and practice went into each piece and I appreciated that. Today my love for music is deeply rooted into who I am and I wouldn’t dream of changing it.
9. My family changed
My family is close and it has always been that way. I didn’t think anything was wrong with it and never expected anymore. Though after I started playing the drums it became different somehow. Other members of my family became more interested in music and my cousins took up an instrument as well. I was able to talk about drumming and music with them and they would be genuinely interested. My cousin and I connect over our love of jazz. Music is now a big part of my family and I’m sure it will stay that way for a long time.
10. I learned a few life lessons
Drumming itself did not teach me any life lessons. I learned these lessons from instructors and the ensembles they ran. Among others, I learned discipline, how to deal with annoying people, how to be patient, and how to defer to others. I learned these lessons throughout the years I was a part of various ensembles and they have helped me to this day. I can honestly say that if I wasn’t apart of those ensembles then I wouldn’t be the same person I am today and I think that’s fascinating.
