Each afternoon, I leave my office for an hour and walk along the river. As I walk, I usually listen to music on my Iphone, as this is the only time of day I can choose songs without fear of judgment (some of my tastes are considered unpleasant and/or embarrassing to my family).
As a lifelong drummer, I lean toward music that features drummers who practice their craft as an art form. Today I was struck by the realization that writing and drumming have a great deal in common.
A writer's craft is to establish irresistible rhythm and cadence in a story, using well-chosen words, punctuated phrases and varied sentence structure to build to an emotional climax. A drummer does this as well, choosing notes instead of words and punctuating his phrases with fills and crashes.
As with music, a good writer knows that it's not the notes you play that matter. It's the notes you don't play. Economy of language often separates professionals from amateurs.
Great writers and great drummers assert their presence without drawing attention to themselves. When at their best, a performance can be enjoyed without really noticing the artist. A guise of transparency, or verisimilitude, belies the virtuosity hidden within.
The best writers have a musicality to their writing, adding lyrical and melodic components to their language. Drummers do this too, by carefully placing the tones of their drums and "colors" of their cymbals.
When on top of their game, true artists make everything look effortless. Complex works like Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment could never be enjoyed if written by a hack. The same is true of Keith Moon's playing on Quadrophenia.
Sometimes, keeping it simple is the most challenging approach. Just ask Ernest Hemingway or John Bonham (if either of them were alive). "Simple" should never be confused with "easy." As Hemingway said, "know how complicated it is, and then state it simply."
A handful of drummers move adeptly from style to style. Jeff Porcaro comes to mind. Porcaro was perhaps the T.C. Boyle of the drums.
As for combining sheer technical abilities with impeccable taste and style? I would choose Vinnie Colaiuta (drums) and Phillip Roth (keyboard).
Today I will practice writing rhythmically and lyrically, only crashing when absolutely necessary.
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