So you’ve learned a couple of grooves and you think you are okay to play a good couple of songs. You’ve been doing lessons for a while now and it is all going pretty well. You’ve even posted a video or two on your Facebook page and Instagram account, and your mom and five friends have even liked and shared it. But what’s next? Surely that is not the extend of your musical journey and creative ability?
All over social media you will see amazing drummers, posting amazing videos of their amazing ability to play amazing stuff. As mind boggling as most of the posts can be, it is very common. We live in a time where almost anybody can practice something in their basement for hours and days, record it, mix it and post it on social media for the world to be amazed!
The truth, I’ve seen and lived, to give you my take on it. You get drummers and musicians that are absolutely excellent. They can play their instruments really well, because they’ve spent the time to achieve exactly that. They are able to play a song or a composition exactly like the original musician played it, or they even have the ability to play something they’ve composed or created themselves, which is great! The matter of the fact is, music really only “comes alive” when it is played together with other musicians. It is great if you have the talent to play the drums really well by yourself, but what is actually even better, is to have the opportunity and to be able to work and play with other musicians in a “band setup”.
This is what I am aiming to bring across in this blog. The next logical step will be to connect with like minded musicians and make music together, if you want to experience music on the next level. There are many platforms out there that can connect musicians with one another. Personally, to be part of an active worship team in a church, is something that I see as a great privilege. I have been actively involved in worship teams since 2008 and I am currently the music director and drummer at my own church, Empower Church. For me, it is the ultimate musical experience, living out the gift of music that God has given me.
The time will come where musicians will get to play their parts with their instruments, together as it was meant to be, once again. Music should be experienced with other musicians. Playing with other musicians will stretch you musically and challenge you to “up your game” and become your absolute best, not only for and by yourself, but with fellow musicians.
I know it’s a difficult time that we find ourselves in with social distancing and all, but I also know the time will come where musicians will get together once more, to perform and make music together as a unit, the way I believe it was meant to be.
So keep on practicing, keep on getting better and take the next step to make that connection with other musicians. It will be worth it.