What Made You Want To Play The Drums? – The Drummers Almanac

What Made You Want To Play The Drums?

What Made You Want To Play The Drums?  Share your Story...

|  By: Jay Fenichel  |

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​What inspired you to want to play the drums?

This video is a continuation of my drumming journey story that I started in the email that linked you to this post.  Do me a favor and check out the video above to hear the rest of my story... The next thing I would love for you to do is tell me some of your story.

  • What inspired you to start playing the drums?
  • What are your goals today?

Thanks for checking out this vlog and for being part of the TDA community.  Now don't chicken out... Even it's just a couple of sentences...

Please take a minute and leave it in the comments below!

-Jay

  • Tom Stark says:

    OK, when I was a kid my dad played drums and had a Gretsch round badge kit. What kid could see and hear those drums and not want to play? Well, I tried on my own, and could play 1 or 2 grooves, and keep time, but I was really not very good. Well, I kept playing, got a little better, then married and son and that Gretsch white pearl kit got put in the basement as life got in the way. Then in 2010 there was a management shake up where I worked, and my problem solving skills were no longer needed, all that was needed was for me to “shut up, don’t ask questions, and do what you’re told!” Yeah, I needed something creative in my life again. So I started playing again. Then on 7/7/11 my life got turned upside down as I was diagnosed with a treatable, but incurable cancer of the immune system. So I thought, “maybe I should get serious!” Well, I did get serious, and have stayed serious. I got to play in a big band, a couple jazz combos, and even some rock and roll (but I really love jazz!). Well, I am now in my second relapse, and still playing drums!

  • Steve Parton says:

    In 1960 I was 9 years old and saw a Jerry Lewis movie called Cinderfella. Count Basie’s band was in the ballroom scene and Sonny Payne was playing drums. I do not know why, all I know is that was what I wanted to do. Dad was a music teacher and even though he wanted me to play brass I hung on for the drums. Later, when I was about 13 we moved to a school district that had a drum room with a whole bunch of junk in it. I was able to cobble a kit together out of old street drums and junk, and that was my first kit.
    Like you, I had a wake up call starting college. When I tried out for the pep band for basketball games, the teacher said, “Too bad you never learned how to play the drums.” (I still got the gig, though) But that same teacher threw me some great challenges like figuring tympani parts out for the chamber orchestra by reading the conductor’s score.
    So now, I’m 67, and who knows how much longer I have to play. The important thing is, the phone still rings and I get to play with friends.

  • Randy Severino says:

    What inspired me to play drums? My father Frank Severino was a Jazz Drummer. he played with Joe Pass, Tommy Tedesco, Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McReay to name a few. When I saw my dad play I would get tears of joy in my eyes, I can still remember that feeling of magic and how proud I was of him. we always had a drum set in the house. one in the living room and one in the back studio. My dad had a Ludwig kit. 1962 Supraphonic snare! that was the first kit I played. when my father saw I was interested in the drums he gave me an old pearl kit 5 pieces. In school, I also played clarinet, where I learned to read music. Later my dad got me a Made in Japan Tama swingstar kit. I still have it today. along with my other kits. My father gave me a passion for the drums. and I can take it with me the rest of my life. thanks, Dad.

  • theo geo says:

    started playing very simply ? cause I had a natural talent for it and ever since ive procrastinated into a 62 yr ole frustrated player , and lazy……so if ya want to become like Vinnie or jay? love it and practice like u love it ……dont get lazy…..I wasted alot of my God given talent and sometimes wish I wasnt just given the gift to play …..rock on people….thanks Jay for all u do ….Ted

    • Jay Fenichel says:

      Hey Ted, I appreciate that. Remember, age is just a number. You are never too old to learn and develop new skills. Colonel Sanders created his Kentucky Fired Chicken Empire in his 70’s… Imagine the learning curve there!

  • Rafael Aguilo says:

    Grew up listening mostly to instrumental music, from different genres (whatever my Dad would choose, that’s what was on the menu). In 1964, at 13 yrs of age, I “Met The Beatles”. I was hooked. Assembled a “drum set” consisting of 3 different sized shoe boxes (snare, and toms), a bunch of wire clothes hangers laying flat on top of each other (hi-hat), the wood floor (bass drum), and two pencils (drum sticks). Never had a teacher. Since I had a good sense of timing, and after my Dad realized I was serious, I was given a Sears drum set. I practiced listening to, and playing with records, learning the songs, while trying to figure out what extremity produced what sound. In a small town in P.R., in 1964, resources like there are available today, were as far away as the Moon, for all intent and purposes. To make it worse, a Music Store was something that existed ONLY in the 3 bigger towns: San Juan, Ponce, and Mayaguez. Instruments were freaking expensive, and transportation wasn’t anywhere as available as today.

    Formed a musical group with high school friends, played almost every weekend, until I went to College in 1968.

    If you have seen the movie “Drumline”, that’s basically what happened at College…except, I NEVER learned how to read music.
    Played with the R.O.T.C. marching band, the Jazz orchestra, the Concert Orchestra, and a folkloric group, not as part of the Music Dept., or for credit, but because I LOVED playing, and the Music Director was OK with it.

    Moved to N.Y. in 1982. Retired in 2014, and RESUMED playing drums; but now, I wanted to know how much I didn’t KNOW, and it has been quite a journey, to say the least. I’m learning the NECESSARY technique, and laying down the groundwork that should have been there from the start. It makes playing SO much easier and enjoyable. Never too late.

    Now at almost 68, I have my own 8 piece band, and a trio (both non-pro). I think I’ll lay down my sticks when I croak.

    Thanks for the opportunity to share.

  • Corinne Roberts says:

    In spite of the fact that he brought me home a football for my eighth birthday, when I asked my dad if I could play drums in junior high band he said, “Drums aren’t for girls.” So I played bells. And forgot about the drums.

    Fast forward about, uh, 40 years. I finally stop at the local music store (after having driven by it a bazillion times to and from home). “I want to learn how to play drums,” I say. “And I want a teacher who’s not freaked out by the fact that I am over 50.” “We’ve got that,” the owner says. So I start lessons with Scott, who is a laid back drummer just a few years younger than me.

    About a year later the owner, Tony, calls and says, “I have the perfect band for you!” He gives me a little history; says “call this guy.” “You are crazy!” But I wait a little while and call. Jeff and I chat. He says he will talk to the guys and get back with me. When he hasn’t called me back after two weeks I think “Whew! Good! I am terrified to do that anyway.” Then I think “who is gonna want an inexperienced, over-50, female drummer? No one ever!!!!” So I get in touch with him and I am in.

    I wanted to throw up every week before practice for about the first 6 months, but I learned some things and stuck it out. We are a gigging band, and I probably know (more or less) about 100 classic rock songs. We have been together, with a couple of lineup changes, about 4 years. I still have pretty significant stage fright, and I will probably step away from the band in May, for a lot of reasons. But I have learned incredibly more than I ever thought I could, and I am so grateful for the journey!

  • Corinne Roberts says:

    In spite of the fact that he brought me home a football for my eighth birthday, when I asked my dad if I could play drums in junior high band he said, “Drums aren’t for girls.” So I played bells. And forgot about the drums.

    Fast forward about, uh, 40 years. I finally stop at the local music store (after having driven by it a bazillion times to and from home). “I want to learn how to play drums,” I say. “And I want a teacher who’s not freaked out by the fact that I am over 50.” “We’ve got that,” the owner says. So I start lessons with Scott, who is a laid back drummer just a few years younger than me.

    About a year later the owner, Tony, calls and says, “I have the perfect band for you!” He gives me a little history; says “call this guy.” “You are crazy!” But I wait a little while and call. Jeff and I chat. He says he will talk to the guys and get back with me. When he hasn’t called me back after two weeks I think “Whew! Good! I am terrified to do that anyway.” Then I think “who is gonna want an inexperienced, over-50, female drummer? No one ever!!!!” So I get in touch with him and I am in.

    I wanted to throw up every week before practice for about the first 6 months, but I learned some things and stuck it out. We are a gigging band, and I probably know (more or less) about 100 classic rock songs. We have been together, with a couple of lineup changes, about 4 years. I still have pretty significant stage fright, and I will probably step away from the band in May, for a lot of reasons. But I have learned incredibly more than I ever thought I could, and I am so grateful for the journey!

  • Renwick Peterson says:

    my name renwick peterson i start playing tin can where i was born in trinidad and tobago i always wanted to play drum in a band i went to church and there i got my hands on the drums but i was not satisfied with that so i start asking questions about a drum school people say you dont have to go to school for that long story short i found a drum school and there i got my brake trough in drums thanks to God my teacher went berkeley he was the one who give me hope in playing the drums every thing he write out i could play he said to me some mouths in class you dont have to come back i will recommend some books for you and that is how my journey started and is continuing ask we spake by the way my teacher name is Toby Tobias thanks man

  • bud says:

    Like many others I was born with a passion to play drums, at a young age I was keeping time with music with spoons on pots and pans. when the opportunity to take drum lessons came during my 7th grade class, I signed up and continued with several teachers thereafter, Played with many groups all during high school, college and grad school, focus mainly on jazz and big band ensembles, I am a senior citizen now but still remain very active playing drums and still consider myself a student studying the great drummers at every opportunity

  • Michael Deaton says:

    We were stationed in the Azores in 1960. The music teacher at the Air Force base (Lajes Fld.), was Miss Gladys Zabilka… She was in her 50’s and looked like Ernie Bilko (Phil Silvers)! She dressed in black, lacy 1930’s styles with black, block heeled sensible shoes… Formidable, especially to 9 to 19 year olds ! But she smiled all the time !!
    She got me singing in the Grade School Chorus ( black robes, huge white collar and big red bows , oh yes…), the Song Flute Bands ( Concert and Marching…) and the Mixed School Concert/Dance and Marching Bands, as well as Dance (remember the bamboo sticks clacking as you danced over and between them ?)
    The Chorus of elementary kids sang The Hallelujah Chorus, no kidding, we went all over the place singing it !!
    I got to play drumset with the high school band, march in military parades with my best friend, slinging a 10″x14″ snare around… I can still play all the Armed Forces Service Songs on Song Flute,Tonette or Flutophone !!
    She was the one who gave me the love of music and performing that still carries me forward and onward, and along with my families, give meaning and purpose to my life,,, !!

    • Jay Fenichel says:

      I love that story, Michael! Thanks for sharing it!

    • Tim Joswiak says:

      Michael, I remember her, too. Wasn’t she a force?
      My father was stationed at Lajes in 1960, 61 and 62.
      Miss Gladys Zabilka had no fear. I know this because she gave me the bass drum in the marching band.
      I also remember the flutophones, ha ha! We bought them for the class and got to take them home. I wonder how tired our parents were of the flutophones?
      The bamboo sticks were tremendous fun, kind of exotic! Like a dance of sorts, and a rhythm section all at the same time.

      She gave us mimeographed handouts about the Azores and the culture of the people there. There were a lot of blue pages of these handouts, some of the pages included native song lyrics. I was looking for her handouts just the other day, I’m sure I still have them! One song was “Numa Casa Portuguesa Fica Bem.” Another one was the Portuguese National Anthem, it began, “Herois do Mar, nobre povu, Nacao valente y immortal.” I remember that she taught us this national anthem and some other songs, maybe folk songs, and then she took us on tour!
      We had gigs at different places around the island. We sang a cappella, if memory serves. We sang these Portuguese songs to the islanders. It seemed like they appreciated hearing the children sing their songs to them in their own language. I remember that when we finished singing in Portuguese their national anthem, the audience gave us a tremendous round of applause! Afterward, she had our final performance on the Base and had it broadcast over the military television station! My father actually got a picture of my face on the TV screen as the camera panned along the rows of our choir.

      We did so many interesting and wonderful things with Miss Gladys Zabilka! Like you, Michael, I have never forgotten her. Bless her soul.

    • Mark Zabilka says:

      It was nice to see your comments. Gladys was my Aunt and her brother William was a music teacher as well.

      Mark Zabilka

  • Gary Guthrie says:

    My journey began with, I think Sandy Nelson and Richard Starkey. Then John Bonham, Don Brewer and of course Carmine Appice and many other drummers of that era.
    Then I heard a Coltrane record with Elvin and totally blew me away!
    No I am not a pro but just love playing the drums and learning. Recently retired and have been playing and practicing more than ever,
    Thanks for sharing and your well thought out video lessons!
    All the best

  • Bill Foster says:

    I’m old. So Gene Krupa & Buddy Rich was it for me. Later Ringo, John Bonham. Now Virgil Donati, Thomas Lang, Dave Weckl, Simon Phillips, David Garibaldi. I gave up drums all together for a long time. Now I’m retired. So I would just like to learn the basics of drumming which I didn’t learn when I was younger which really screwed me up. So learning how to read, would be a Goal for me. Hope this isn’t long but this is great story. I did a lesson with David Garibaldi at his house, in his garage, in his studio. I have wanted to learn how to play what is hip for years. I lost a audition years ago because the first song they asked me to play was what is hip. So I lost that audition of course. So, I’m with David, and he says what can I help you with? Now remember I’m older now I’m hoping he can just physically show me how to play what is hip. I made the mistake of telling him I didn’t know how to read, so he say’s really, ok then this is where we will start. 1 e & ah 2 e & ah 3 e & ah 4 e & ah. Lol. So first & last lesson. So when I seen you breaking it down for everybody, that is really all I really wanted. So, still don’t know how to play it yet. But I can go back to that video that you made & check it out. Thanks for starting a new path I hope I can finish. Peace & Love to all the drummers out there.

  • ROBERT SESSA says:

    I’m old as well (68), Gene & Buddy got me started. Then the Beatles hit! Took some lessons from a local teacher early on. Once I joined a local band at 15-16 the lessons stopped. Played local Church dances and events thru about age 18. Got drafted at 19, married at 23 two daughters later & life happened.

    Got back into it in 1998/99 signed on with a teacher, wanted to learn to read (a skill better learned YOUNG, LOL!). Bought some new gear and started to shed. My musical tastes changed over the years, never really a hard rock guy. I love the blues, R&b, Motown, New Orleans style grooving. Love jazz, but my chops are not up to the task.

    I sit in with some local bands doing weekend gigs doing mostly “classic rock” which I’m not really into. Anyway, I’m mainly a hobbyist and am trying to work on some Steely Dan, Chicago, Tower of Power material. I’m into groove-oriented guys, Steve Jordan, Bernard, Garibaldi, all the James Brown drummers, Stanton Moore, etc.

    I guess my issue like others is getting motivated to practice, when
    I do get motivated I practice what I’m good at. If I know I have a gig to sit in on, I will work out all those songs before the gig, but once it’s over I have a hard time of putting in consistent meaningful practice that will make me a better player. Sorry for the long-winded reply!

    Regards,
    Robert

  • simon brocklebank says:

    Watching one of the older students at school play in a concert made me fascinated by rhythm and the idea of playing the drums.
    Nowadays it’s still the same. Whenever I see a band I’m still gripped by the sight of the drummer and the sound of the kit. Now I listen a lot to Gavin Harrison, Craig Blundell, Mike Portnoy or Marco Minneman and am equally inspired and motivated to go to my kit and try to explore the sounds and grooves I can make.

  • Isaac says:

    Whenever I see a drummer playing on stage, it motivate me and really inspire me in learning the drum.

  • Stefan Freeman says:

    I’m 62 now and started learning and playing drums about 10 years ago after seeing a lot of bands in clubs and also finding out about electronic drum sets that allowed me to find out if I wasn’t a hopeless case at the drums (I wasn’t) and practice without getting sued by neighbors. I took lessons at a drum school for several years. I had and still have a sort of adolescent approach – I just want to be cool and play rock ‘n roll 🙂 Since I learned to read notes for piano when I was young, reading drum notes was not so difficult. And with transriptions and playalongs all over the internet I’ve got quite a collection of songs I can play (although not by heart). I’m in a cover band with friends and my highlight this year was being one of 250 drummers in a stadium concert in Frankfurt Germany with 1002 musicians (see http://www.rockin1000.com).

  • Kevin V Shoats says:

    Ive always loved hearing beatssince about the 5th grade

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