To Drummers

A Way of Living and Thinking

A way of living and thinking.

A few days ago, after quite a long time, I reconnected with a fellow drummer from the coast. Years ago, we shared the same “school benches” at the Rock Academy in Ljubljana (Slovenia). What are usually short phone calls or emails turned this time into a long, flowing conversation — the kind where the phone battery endurance is truly put to the test.

Despite the age difference between us, it hardly shows at all. In many ways, it feels like two high-school friends talking about everything that matters. What I appreciate most is that our conversations revolve around drums, rock music, positive ideas, and challenges — not complaints or dissatisfaction about this or that. After such talks, certain things often feel lighter and easier than they did at first glance. And although drums are primarily a hobby for him, one sentence he said perfectly captured the essence:

“When it comes to learning drums, reading magazines, articles… you’re actually in it all day long, even when you’re not physically playing. It’s a way of living and thinking.”

Once you find the answer within yourself to what is truly worth your time and energy, you begin to live and think in that direction — both consciously and subconsciously. Not everything is always easy or positive, but what matters is persistence and the ability to look for the light at the end of the tunnel. Desire and motivation are one thing; making a living from your craft and facing the fear of failure is another. Earning a living as a drummer requires far more than just playing the instrument. “Out of the box” thinking is necessary across many areas and never really stops. I often see it as running a small business, one that needs to manage creation, marketing, sales, and growth to keep moving forward. As everywhere else, you encounter competition, doubt, and people who don’t believe in you or your passion — but all of that can be turned to your advantage. How? By actively investing time in connecting, learning, exploring, working hard, and making the right decisions. And, of course, by having a clear vision.

Alongside learning and building, I find it increasingly important to give something back — to others and to the community. By this, I mean a form of exchange where, in the long run, both sides benefit. Someone who comes to learn with me or listens to me at a concert helps make my livelihood possible. In return, they gain knowledge, inspiration, satisfaction, and often also a personal connection, support, and encouragement. Satisfied students tend to return, and when you realise that even a small group — say twenty individuals — can each bring along a friend, a relative, or someone else, that circle can grow quite naturally. On top of that, higher attendance at concerts and events brings greater satisfaction for organisers and, indirectly, benefits the wider community as well.

Until next time — keep on drumming!