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Health & Fitness

Stop All That Thinking!

Beyond muscle memory and thought-repetition, music evolves into art

In my last blog post, I discussed how a drummer/percussionist is able to achieve mind-numbing four-way limb independence on the drum set:

Multitasking seems to be a myth...

So how can a drummer--or anyone--accomplish more than one precision muscle movement at a time when ... we're limited to one mental focal point?

Actually, when performing on four, five, even six (or more!) instruments at once on the kit, a drummer is singularly minded! We're focusing on one well-rehearsed pattern and are tapping into muscle memory. Some patterns require us to hit instruments on the kit simultaneously, other times linearly (shop-speak for hits in succession).
 
If you've been bewildered by a drummer's skill set, please read my last post. It'll demystify things a bit.

Meet Scott A.


I love reading the awesome comments posted beneath my articles, and the many, many meaningful words left with my story as it is shared on Facebook. They make this blog series rewarding, informative and fun!

Scott A. shared this comment regarding my last story, via Facebook:

"Yeah. The coordination thing has always intrigued (and escaped) me. But on the other hand, a lot of people in a lot of professions are coordinated. To play the drums, or any instrument (think of an organist playing two separate keyboards, or "manuals" as they are called, AND playing a bass line with his feet), and to play it WELL requires much more than just good coordination. It requires a degree of artistic sensitivity, and something called "musicianship" which is not definable in simply mechanical terms. As you and I used to joke about, there are drummers and then there are "musicians." Or to quote Ringo, "It's more than just bangin' around the kit!" These are the things that are the true mysterious side of drumming, or guitar playing, or singing, or playing the triangle or the sand blocks for that matter, OR painting a beautiful picture or writing a poem. As much as I'm in awe of what you do, with both hands and both feet at the same time, (and even occasionally twirling a stick in the air just to be a hot dog), my respect for your craft runs much deeper. I doubt that any really accomplished percussionists would be satisfied to hear their audiences say, "Wow, he really appeared to be coordinated during that 15 minute open solo." What makes you, and other guys really great drummers, in my humble opinion, comes from your soul, not just your muscle coordination, amazing as it is."

I chose Scott's comment because, not only is it dead-on target, it's a perfect lead-in to what I wanted to explore in this post: What does an artist aspire to beyond the ideas of muscle memory and mind focused exercises, and what comes after a composition is learned, and muscle memory has already been attained?

Beyond The Repetition

My last post was written with the most basic idea of independence in mind--thinking about and executing limb patterns, repetitively. You acquire muscle memory while practicing. Remember what Scott said: "What makes ... really great drummers, in my humble opinion, comes from your soul, not just your muscle coordination."

But, how does somebody get their performance to "come from the soul?"

Imagine this:

You're a finely tuned musician, ready to take on tonight's gig. You've walked onto the stage; you're under the lights. After counting off the first song's starting tempo, you lay down some wicked drum grooves and fills, using any and all of the practice exercises you've learned. Then sit back and bask in the cheering.

Perhaps.

But not likely.

Are you truly performing as a musician? Or, are you just regurgitating a book of ideas?

Quiet That Mind

Beyond muscle memory and thought repetition, music evolves into art. Musicians, at this moment, no longer play by rote. Their muscles remember where the instruments are and how to play them, leaving their minds free to create and infuse the stage performance with emotion. They are listening to and responding to the music surrounding them produced by each member on stage.

Conversely, the audience is witnessing a spontaneous musical conversation!

Musicians practice repetitively to gain muscle memory so they can remove themselves from as much instrument-related thought during a stage performance as possible.

We do the initial thinking while practicing, to ultimately not think about what we're playing during a performance. We want to react organically to the other performers on stage with us. When we approach a gig in this fashion--our creativity, expression, and musical performance will flourish. We will be able to "bare our souls" through the music we play.

Here's how jazz drumming master Roy Haynes approaches his gigs:

"When I go to my gigs, that’s my practice. I may play something that I never heard before or maybe that you never heard before. It’s all a challenge. I deal with sounds. I’m full of rhythm, man. I feel it. I think summer, winter, fall, spring, hot, cold, fast and slow — colors. But I don’t analyze it. I’ve been playing professionally over 50 years, and that’s the way I do it. I always surprise myself."

I love Roy's quote. His musical soul isn't just the use of rhythm and independence abilities. He's going way beyond these things. His depth of playing includes spontaneity, the colorings of the seasons, the feel of different temperatures--he's utilizing his entire human experience.

How incredibly beautiful, honest and poignant.

Watch this video to see Roy Haynes exploring his drumming palate.

To Scott, and the many others who shared their viewpoints regarding my last blog post, thanks for helping to inspire this story.

And I mean that, from the depths of my soul!

Please support local talent by hitting the "Recommend" and "Like" buttons near the top of this page. Others will know you enjoyed the article, and you just might help out an aspiring artist by sharing this information. Thanks!

Interested in drumming/percussion lessons? Or, just curious about my studio? Please contact me via my studio's Facebook page. You'll find much to explore--including all of my past blog posts. Hit the "Like" button to let me know you've visited. Thanks--I appreciate you!


My studio can also be followed on Twitter: @JimKubeDrums.


To my love, Kat: Your editing skills are extraordinary. Thank you!











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