You've got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I'm not a huge practicer, which is probably not a good thing because my band definitely needs to practice.
So, practice, particularly after you've attained a job, any kind of job, like playing with a four piece band, that's... an opportunity to develop.
If you're a musician, there's no instrument that can be withheld from you. If you're drawn to it, develop the talent for it.
The best practice you can get is on the bandstand, but in between gigs I feel I have to stay in shape.
I grew up playing about 15 instruments and the way that I was able to accomplish that was by cutting my classes, hanging out in the band room all day, and going from one instrument to the next to the next, until I learned how to play everything by ear.
You not only have to know your own instrument, you must know the others and how to back them up at all times. That's jazz.
Anytime I switch to another instrument, I immediately turn it into another kind of drum so that I can understand it better.
When I was young, I had one of those Yamaha drum machines, and I used to practice to that quite a bit, just to practice soloing and being in time and completing all my phrases.
When I was a kid I never learned to play. I actually got in bands through watching people play and copying them.
I mean, if you decided to go out today and get you an instrument and do whatever it is that you do, no one can tell you how you're going to do it but when you do it.