Why I Don’t Care About Talent (And You Shouldn’t Either)

How important is talent when it comes to drumming?

Honestly, I couldn’t care less about it.

And you shouldn’t either.

Am I just ignorant?

Maybe.

But I’m also perfectly honest:

Talent is a nice, but nothing to rely on for a whole creative life.

Real talk:

You can be the most talented drummer out there.

At some point, however, you have to do the “dirty work”.

Dirty work – also called practicing the drums.

Personally, I don’t care about talent.

But why?

When People Rely SOLELY On Talent, They Restrict Themselves (And Others)

For me, talent means that you’re naturally good at something.

Something comes to you easily.

Whether that’s learning to play an instrument, or cooking delicious food.

For this reason, I wholeheartedly recognize and respect the truly gifted and talented people out there.

On the other hand, I still couldn’t care less about talent.

Why?

Because I don’t want to put a label on people.

For me, everybody has the potential to be a great drummer on her or his own terms.

Being called talented raises expectations, and for this reason often pressure.

It’s the same with being called not talented.

Both suck.

That’s why I don’t care about talent:

I’m Serving The Human, Not The Expectation

If somebody already is great at drumming, I’m here to help.

And if somebody struggles playing the drums, I’m here to help as well.

What difference does talent make, then?

For me as a drum teacher:

None.

I’m serving the human looking for my help.

Not the expectation.

Or the wishful thinking.

Let’s also not forget:

Learning To Play The Drums Is A Process

People change and grow.

Maybe you’ll have a hard time starting out on the kit.

But this doesn’t mean you’ll always have a hard time playing the drums.

Giving professional drum lessons for over a decade now, I’ve seen this time and time again:

“Mediocre” or even “bad” drummers become wonderfully unique musicians, just like “talented” drummers.

Yes, some people might struggle more than others.

Or simply won’t master the most complex stuff.

But that’s perfectly fine, is it not?

After all, there’s just so much out there you can learn.

I’ve been drumming for over 15 years now.

And I still learn something new every day.

Am I just not talented enough?

People have said so in the past.

And I’m sure some will say so in the future.

Either way, I don’t care.

I know what I’m able to do.

And I know that I love playing the drums to the moon and back.

That’s what it’s all about:

Loving what you do.

And then, just do it.

Oh, and before I forget …

Do You Think I’m A Drum Talent?

If so, you might be surprised to read this:

Back in my youth, people told me I suck at playing the drums.

They labeled me as being not talented.

If I listened to them, you wouldn’t be reading this right now.

Thankfully, I didn’t give a damn about what others said.

Me and some drumming failures?

Well …

I just wanted to play the drum set.

And I did.

Now, most people tell me that I’m a talented drummer.

Well …

If they knew, right? 😉

You want to drum?

Then drum.

And if you think you’re not talented enough, drum as well.

There might be a big surprise waiting just around the corner for you.

Love,

Manu