Where does drumming confidence come from?
And how do you get more confident at drumming?
Is there a way to feel less insecure, especially when others are listening?
So many questions.
Thankfully, there are answers to them.
Three things to know about feeling more confident as a drummer right now:
1. Face The Fact That You Will Screw Up
As a drummer, I’ve failed countless times.
Literally, I started counting at some point.
How does this boost your drumming confidence, you ask?
I’ve learned that no matter how big I screw up, I will survive.
A failed gig, a bad day drumming, or plain criticism won’t kill you either.
It’s just a situation you really wish had turned out otherwise.
Walk through the pain of failing, and feel your confidence rise on your way.
Take action now:
Practice something you know you really should but were afraid up until now.
Take it slow, understand what you’re meant to do to start off with.
Got the essence of the exercise?
Now master it note for note, practice so slow you can’t get it wrong.
Repeat until you feel secure with this exercise.
Raise the tempo only then.
How do you feel now?
2. Love As The Antidote For Self-Doubt
Learning from failure is one thing.
Love is another.
Actually, it has to be one of the key aspects of becoming a confident drummer.
Here’s why:
Your love for drumming keeps you going even when times are rough.
It also eases the pain of criticism and failure.
For this reason, nourish your love for drumming each day.
No matter “how good or bad” you’re playing right now, find something you really like about you as a drummer.
Even the smallest things count.
Take action now:
Write down 3 things you love most about being a drummer.
For me, those are
- being able to express myself in a creative way,
- feeling the thrill of learning something new on a regular basis,
- the way playing the drums makes me feel. The good emotions, the bad ones, and everything in between.
What about you?
Reflect and write down your top 3 reasons for playing the drums right now.
3. Experience As A Basis For Building Drumming Confidence
Ah, finally!
Experience makes you a confident drummer.
Well, not necessarily.
In fact, there are master musicians suffering from the so-called imposter syndrome.
Experience makes you more confident, yes.
But it’s just a crucial piece of the puzzle.
Take action now:
By doing something on a regular basis, you build experience.
Ever wondered why drum pros tell you to practice regularly?
Here’s the reason why we’re commonly sharing this advice:
The moment your brain and muscle memory remembers an exercise, it becomes a second nature to you.
Learning is about correct repetitions, knowledge practically applied.
What can you practice today?
Building experience starts now!
Don’t let this opportunity for change slip away.
9 More Practical Tips For Boosting Your Drumming Confidence
- Set motivating goals and stick to the plan.
- Practice regularly, even just for a few minutes at a time.
- Work on your overall self-worth and invest in self-care on a daily basis. Read books, watch videos, or listen to podcasts addressing them.
- Remember that life isn’t greener on the other side. DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS; you’re not walking in their shoes.
- Don’t let drumming define your worth as a human being. Playing the drums is one thing you do, not who you are.
- Try to learn from every drummer and musician, even if you don’t like them personally.
- Find the thing you love most about drumming and do it as often as possible. For me, I love jamming to my favorite tunes. Consequently, I improvise to music as often as possible.
- Don’t shy away from the drumming stuff that is hard for you. In fact, do something that scares you every other day.
- Get in touch with an experienced teacher or mentor helping you actively overcome your drumming obstacles.
A Concluding Word Of Caution: Your Drumming Confidence Mustn’t Rely On Other People’s Opinions
Real drumming confidence starts with you.
Remember that nothing changes until you change.
It’s crucial to not rely on other people’s opinions about your drumming.
(Except for constructive feedback and criticism, of course.)
Here’s what I always say:
Praise or unconstructive criticism is the same for me. I mustn’t care about them.
And that’s the truth.
Many drummers are seeking the validation of others.
What I can tell you is this:
Praise doesn’t make you more confident.
It eases the fear of being not good enough for a short time.
However, this fear will creep in again.
It’s time to do the work if you really want to build unshakable drumming confidence.
- Embrace that you might screw up, and do it anyway.
- Nourish your love for playing the drums each time you play.
- Build experience by not just thinking or reading about drumming, but actually playing.
You might not feel more confident today or in three weeks, but you’ll notice the difference sooner than you expect.
Be prepared and all the best to you.
Manu
