My friend and melodic drumming performer/artist PASHA had recently posed some intriguing questions regarding “musicianship”
1. Why is it so important?
2. What does it bring us?
3. Why be a drummer and, say, not a sax player?
4. Is being a singer, for example, better than being a drummer?

I think these are some thought provoking questions for drummers. The aspects of musicianship certainly apply to reading and interpreting scored music, but perhaps it is in improvisational performances where it is most demonstrated by drummers. Let me share some thoughts with you.

By definition, musicianship is the KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, and ARTISTIC SENSITIVITY displayed in performing music. I certainly can not answer the questions posed above in a definitive way. I can only comment about each one and allow you to ponder and formulate your own opinions.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO US? WHAT DOES IT BRING US?
Well, part of “musicianship” involves being a well-rounded musical listener with an attentiveness and appreciation (artistic sensitivity) for many types of music. In order to more effectively interact with other musicians, I believe you must be aware of what the other musicians are actually creating (not just what notes they are playing). I know that if I understand the musical statement being attempted, then I can better contribute something, as a drummer, that supports it. Certainly the “knowledge” of musical styles is an essential element of that ability.

Our constantly developing “artistic sensitivity” also involves what our ears hear and what our mind references when it is heard. Those elements of our “musicianship” allow us to access the contribution we can make to a performance. That is tempered sometimes with the knowledge of what NOT to do also. So what does that bring us? Well, I hope it brings us a much more inspired musical performance.

Certainly the “skills” involved with musicianship include the ability to execute the techniques needed to play our instruments. These skills are developed not only by practice and study, but by exposing our minds to new ideas and concepts. We should, of course, be constantly growing and expanding those skills. Specific drumming “skills” certainly include timing, dynamics, technique, tones, textures, and taste. There is also the ultimate skill of making a tune “feel good”. Duke Ellington called that “making it swing”, others may say “make it rock” or “make it groove”. Whatever we call it, the pulse and mood can be seriously enhanced if we lock in with the mindset of the other players and add that “feel good” element to it.

WHY BE A DRUMMER INSTEAD OF PLAYING ANOTHER INSTRUMENT?
Everyone has to have their own answer for this question. Here’s MY answer.

I started my musical performances at age 3 singing before audiences. At 5, I began studying piano and doing recitals and other performances at school and church. At age 11, I learned guitar and soon began singing and playing the tunes I heard on the radio.
Then when I was 13, I saw a pop music band perform at the local park band shell in a Sunday afternoon concert. When I saw the drummer playing on a set of red sparkle Ludwigs….no more than twenty feet away from me…… it completely captured my soul forever.

I just became so interested and intrigued with drums that I had to make that my musical priority. It wasn’t the piano, or the guitar, that “grabbed me”. It was the drums. It was the musical instrument that just absolutely owned me.

In my reflections now, I see how my musical journey with piano and guitar was the foundation for my later success as a professional drummer. It is because of my experiences with those melodic instruments that I understand musical matters such as chord structures, inversions, and key signatures. It is the reason that when I perform with a band, I not only HEAR what the other musicians are doing, I UNDERSTAND what they are doing and WHY.

That’s why I am a musician who has chosen to focus on drums as my main instrument. No matter what your reason is, commit to being a musician who plays drums….not a drummer who plays along with the musicians. Think about that statement. I hope it will make sense to you.

IS BEING A SINGER BETTER THAN BEING A DRUMMER?
Honestly, I don’t know. I do both. I lead my own bands from the drum chair. In that role I am the lead vocalist, the arranger, and musical director.

Sometimes I do support other acts and whenever I do that, I really watch what the singer is doing. Songs feature the singer and the success of the song is very dependent on the singer’s ability to express the desired emotions. The artists who hire me know that I will focus on helping the singer make that happen. I get a lot of satisfaction doing my part to make performance go down as good as it possibly can.

Drummers, let’s face it. Singers usually are the focal point of performing groups today. Quite often they are the musical attraction that folks come out to see. Singers do get the spotlight and the applause, and most likely, the star on their dressing room. If you can’t accept that fact, then you may have problems finding satisfaction in work as a popular music band drummer.

So is being a drummer better than being a singer? Well, if you need to have the spotlight in order to get your ego buzz……. probably not. If that's where, in all honesty, you really are; then maybe you would be better fulfilled working as a solo instrumentalist and putting your creative energy into those drumming possibilities.

Terry Bozzio and Dave Weckl (to name just two examples) certainly don’t “compete” with singers. They are the star attraction of their performances. The lack of singing doesn't detract one bit from my enjoyment of their music! They are known for their amazing drum solo work.

Steve Gadd and Russ Kunkel, on the other hand, are famous for what they can add to the singer’s performance. Is one role “BETTER” than the other? You have to answer that question for yourself.

CONCLUSION
Getting back to PASHA’s initial question about the importance of musicianship for us DRUMMERS, I’ll end with this. To me, OUR musicianship is more than just playing the right beats!

It is a receptive attitude.

It is an open-minded approach to the music.

It is a keen state of awareness of style.

It is earned by experience, and continues to grow.

It is knowing what to retrieve from your entire arsenal of drumming knowledge and having the tasty ability to do the “just right” thing at the “just right” moment.

Musicianship, perhaps in the most simple reality, is best defined by the MAGIC the listeners FEEL because of it.

Ken Sanders
IBJAMN in Nashville