Dispelling the myth of talent.
More often then not, something we see someone doing looks easier than it is or someone makes something look very easy. In this case let’s talk about hand drumming.
When you see most of our drum masters play they are very relaxed and maybe they are smiling. Maybe we don’t see any tension in their faces or body. It looks so natural people just assume it has always been like that for them.
People often comment “what natural talent”, or “they were born in to it”. Both, are probably true. However what people may not realize is that what we are seeing is an amazing amount of practice hours put it. No one popped out of the womb and just started flailing away at top speed.
I have even heard someone say (underneath one of my village videos), the assumption “and they did not even have to study or practice”! Well, I went to Mali, Guinea, Brazil and Cuba and they were practicing from morning until late in the evening.
When you see Giovanni go to Mars and out of the universe on congas or Mamady Keita, Bolokada and others play incredible riffs it’s because they put in countless hours of study and practice. To me, the talent lies in the ability to learn, to study, to decipher and then practicing to make it your own. Sticking with it and keeping the proper attitude.
The more talent you see and experience equals the more study and practice the person put in. There is no way around it. The reason someone looks, seems or is so talented is because they put their time in and probably still do.
Of course having natural abilities helps, but drumming and music is about hours put in studying and woodshedding. No one just got there suddenly. Instead of just playing or jamming once a week and wondering why you can’t do this or that and someone else can, try putting in a small amount of time dailey into your practice and see what happens.
We all started as beginners and there is always room to grow, learn and improve any aspect of our playing. All it takes is a little (or a lot) of time, energy and dedication. Keep it and make it fun as drumming is playing.
It’s my experience that almost any area you may feel you are lacking in can be improved with searching, study, practice and discipline.