Back in 2009 I wrote a piece for a drumming blog I hosted. It was a fun little essay with timeless content which read something like this:
An old axiom says that timing is everything. This is the bedrock on which all music adheres to in order for it to be considered organized and well metered. All musicians who take their art seriously choose to submit themselves to the often agonizing structure of beat and tempo. After many hours of practice, practice, practice, then and only then will they be afforded the enjoyment of what musicians call being "in the pocket". These are moments of bliss from which come all measure of creativity and musical astonishment for the enjoyment of themselves and their audience.
Timing is acheived - no pun intended - over time. Sow these seeds early as well as often and you will reap a bountiful crop of revered musical calibration. Drummers by nature are the purveyors of all things percussively rhythmic. We are expected to be in the pocket. When the timing of a song doesn't seem right, heads will turn in our direction. Like clockwork, I'm afraid. I discovered through recordings of myself as well as through my musical director, that emotion and excitement within a given song influences my timing. However my recurring guilt quickly subsided upon discovering that even professional musicians struggle with this phenomena.
Beginning drummers be forewarned, incorporate a digital metronome into you practice agenda.....now! Use a practice pad, and often, whilst doing all manners of stick exercises along with your regular drumset practice agenda. A pro basketball player has a LOT of shooting time under his belt before he gets to the big league. Over and over, boring as can be! But look at him when he's on the court...wow! This really holds true for most any profession, doesn’t it. Educate, train, practice, and create.
Promptness relates to timing but in a different way. A reputation of being on time and prepared will be a valuable asset to those looking to choose you in the school band or those ready to hire you for that coveted professional gig. You must show up on time, be firmly ensconsed on your "throne", and ready to play. You never know when you'll need those extra few minutes before a gig to resolve last second equipment failures or misplaced drumsticks.
These two things will dramitically improve your success within the musical creation process, however that manifests itself in your life. Remember, you don't have to become a "famous" drummer in order to have a fulfilling life enjoying and expressing your chosen instrument. But you will certainly have more fun if you hold fast to the discipline of timing and practice. Always remember:
All the world's indeed a stage
We are merely players
Performers and portrayers
Each another's audience outside the gilded cage.
Yours on the skins,
Jim.
Speaking of timing. One day to the Lord is 1,000 yrs., 1 hour is 41.7 human years, 1 minute is .7 years, and 1 second is 4.27 days of man. So, in total - 6,000 years of humanity is 6 days of the Lord. This is why the 1,000-year reign of Christ is His Sabath day of rest. All in all, God does His entire plan in a week. How is that for perspective?
"Remember, you don't have to become a 'famous' drummer in order to have a fulfilling life... " Likewise, I don't have to be a "famous" Christian in order to have a fulfilling life in Christ as long as glorifying and enjoying Him becomes my daily practice.