When I was a music major at UMass, I had to take a bunch of other instruments besides piano. When I got to the brass section, I learned that I would never be a trumpeter because I couldn’t get the embouchure right. They even had me up on stage as an example of a person who would never succeed in the trumpet section. <sigh>
Eventually, I wound up in drum class. I thought that this was going to be a “gut” (read “easy”) class. Boy was I wrong. Drumming was one of the hardest instruments I had to learn.
Eventually, I got the paradiddle, though.
To this day, I find drummers fascinating. One of my favorite groups is Top Secret Drumline. We’ve seen them in person several times at the Edinburgh Tattoo and at the Virginia International Tattoo. We actually went to the Virginia Tattoo because we knew that they would be there.
Although I didn’t take this video, we were at this event in 2022:
I am glad that drummers are getting their own day!
Get ready to celebrate the unsung heroes of music on National Drummer Day, happening on November 15! This day is a salute to those incredible talents who can simultaneously operate each limb in a different rhythm, creating perfectly synchronized beats that move our souls.
**The Fascinating Rhythms of National Drummer Day**
Did you know that drummers’ brains are wired differently? They’re not just rhythm masters; they’re enhanced problem solvers with a unique perspective on the world. On National Drummer Day, we honor these extraordinary individuals.
**A Deep-Rooted History of Drumming**
Drumming isn’t just a human feat. Its roots trace back beyond humanity, with animals like monkeys and rodents instinctively using rhythmic drumming for communication. Imagine that – when you’re drumming, you’re tapping into an ancient universal language!
From primitive alligator skin drums in 5050 BC to modern drum kits, the essence of drumming remains unchanged. Drummers are the living bridge to our rhythmic past, linking us to the very core of human expression.
**Celebrate with Some Drum-tastic Activities**
1. **Get Drumming:** Did you know drumming is a fantastic workout? It’s an excellent way to boost happiness, reduce stress, and even increase pain tolerance. So, grab those sticks and start drumming!
2. **Jam with a Drummer:** Drum beats are known to enhance group cooperation. Jamming with a drummer isn’t just fun; it creates a shared sense of euphoria.
3. **Relive Classic Drum Solos:** Time to revisit the golden era of rock with classic drum solos. From “Moby Dick” by Led Zeppelin to “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins, immerse yourself in the art of drumming.
**Five “Extra” Facts About Drummers**
1. **Age-Defying Drummer:** Viola Smith, at 105, proves that age is just a number when it comes to rocking the drums.
2. **Marathon Drum Roll:** Imagine rolling for 14 hours straight – a feat achieved by Londoner Pandit Sudarshan Das.
3. **Gargantuan Drum Kit:** Dr. Mark Temperature’s 813-piece drum kit is a marvel that took 36 years to build.
4. **Tommy Lee’s Rollercoaster Drums:** A drum kit that loops 360 degrees? Only for the bold like Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee.
5. **A Muppet with a Beat:** The wild Muppet drummer Animal draws inspiration from the legendary Keith Moon of The Who.
Let’s drum up some excitement for National Drummer Day and celebrate the beat makers who keep the rhythm of our lives going strong!
