DRUMS

All the years I spent playing drums must add up to more than ten thousand hours. In fact, when playing something that is not technically challenging, I didn’t have to focus on what my limbs were doing. Once the groove was imbedded in my limbs and brain, my mind could and did wander. I would zone out and continue to execute without error. I am not alone. My musician friends and I have had conversations that go like this:

“So, this is a little scary. I was on the gig last night, and of course we have played the same pop set a million times. Even though I am listening to lock in with the bass player, and my in-ear monitors have plenty of vocals, I played all of Sweet Home Alabama on drums while making a grocery list in my head of stuff I needed at the store. I don’t think I missed a fill, lick, or groove, but all of a sudden the song was over and I don’t remember hitting one note.”

Yes. That’s a thing. It has happened to me more than once on gigs. Neil Peart, the late, great drummer of the rock band RUSH was asked to describe what playing drum set feels like. His answer is spot on: “It’s like running a marathon while doing advanced math equations in your head.” That’s what it feels like. The implicit memory of playing rock, jazz, and even entire sets of many many tunes can be learned so deeply that the mind wanders off while playing. If you don’t believe me, think about a time that you were so distracted by something WHILE you drove that you (A) got lost, or (B) arrived at your destination without remembering any part of the journey. There you go.

Some writers and science types have claimed that we need 10,000 hours of “brain training” to truly become an expert on anything. I read somewhere that NBA legend Larry Bird took 500 free throws a day while in the prime of his career. He said that he was determined to train his muscle memory and condition his body so well that he would successfully make free throws even if he was tired, sick, hot, cold, distracted, or unfocused. His career average for making free throws was somewhere north of 90% so it seems Larry legend was on to something.

I used to share stuff like this with my students and then have them calculate the entire amount of hours they would spend in school from grade 1 to 12. Taking into consideration absences and lunch/recess and stuff like that, the number came to…..yup, you guessed it: more than 10,000 hours. The kids thought that was awful (we spend that much time HERE?? What a waste of our lives!) but also funny (wait….Moeschen, you mean we are experts at what….school? Who cares? What will that even get us??) Ahh middle school. They get it but don’t quite get it.

Of course others have come along and debunked the 10,000 thing as a myth, but I still feel that it is a good measuring stick when thinking about things that require A LOT of work…

Well then, with 10,000 hours, I am an expert at teaching middle school, playing drums, reading, communicating with other humans, being outside, being inside, sleeping, eating, talking, and listening. My wife would also add that I have at least 10,000 hours in the following subjects as well: annoying others, being immature, lack of empathy, watching and attending sporting events, television viewing and telling her that I am handling things.

In all seriousness, I have been thinking about what skills I have developed during the use of “optional time.” Playing, listening to and analyzing music came out far and ahead of everything else.

How about you? Where have you put in 10,000 hours toward your expertise?

I would love to know. How about 20,000 hours?

Stay safe, stay awesome, and stay tuned.