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Original poster

Is there a career in drumming?

35 replies

Drummer99 · 07/07/2024 12:00

DS17 is an amazing drummer - extremely talented. He lives and breathes drumming.
As for the future...he has no idea.
What could he do with this talent?
Or should it just remain a hobby?

OP posts:
Original poster
Drummer99 · 09/07/2024 08:42

greenandgreener · 07/07/2024 12:17

could he set up a youtube channel or similar where he gives tips, reviews things, shows how to play certain things, a podcast or something? That would be a good way to build an audience, following and open up opportunities. Would take a while to set up but if he could make quality content it would definitely be worth it. Might lead to more opps for session drumming etc.

Interesting idea! I'll suggest it...

OP posts:
Original poster
Drummer99 · 09/07/2024 08:42

AndYesTheWeeDonkeys · 07/07/2024 12:18

Has he had any contact with the National Youth Orchestra? Or any junior conservatoire tuition? (Presumably not or you wouldn’t be asking here?)

https://www.nyo.org.uk/get-involved/the-nyo-orchestra

No - but we are not in the UK...

OP posts:
Original poster
Drummer99 · 09/07/2024 08:43

NeverDropYourMooncup · 07/07/2024 12:24

Every band needs a drummer. Guitarists are everywhere, everybody knows somebody who can sing or whose friend/boyfriend/girlfriend can - but good bassists are harder to find and a competent, reliable drummer who hasn't already got five other bands on the go are like rocking horse shit.

He could have a reliable day job and make a significant second income from music, as long as he has his own van and kit and the ability to just slot into any band's style, get along with everybody and be 100% reliable, whoever it is he's drumming for/with or has to booked to session for - but he has to be utterly dogmatic about protecting his hearing at all times.

Totally agree re the hearing protection. Doesn't help that he wears headphones ALL THE TIME to listen to music!!

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Original poster
Drummer99 · 09/07/2024 08:43

Octavia64 · 07/07/2024 12:28

My DS is a drummer.

He graduated last year with a music degree.

He is currently teaching two days a week and working on his drumming the rest of the time. He's applying for a masters auditions are in Oct.

He's had significant financial support.

Oh wow! Congrats to him. Where did he do his degree, if you don't mind saying?

OP posts:
Bbq1 · 09/07/2024 08:47

My son is extremely talented at playing guitar. He's just completed his 2 years at Lipa sixth form college. He has his own rock band which he formed and they are well known locally and my ds has made great connections through Lipa and beyond. They are doing really, ready well and starting to get gigs further afield. It takes a lot of hard work and commitment but your son really needs to get into a band

AndYesTheWeeDonkeys · 09/07/2024 08:55

No - but we are not in the UK...

@Drummer99 this is the sort of information that really needs to be in your OP!

londonmummy1966 · 09/07/2024 09:03

You say that your son lives and breathes drumming. How good is he at the boring routine stuff like getting his homework done on time, scheduling his time, remembering what to take to school on which days etc etc? I'm asking this because being a musician is all about having a portfolio career and being able to balance and juggle a lot of balls. Very few musicians can get away with just doing one thing. I know some very successful musicians who perform the big concertos with well known orchestras around the world in prestigious venues who are still teaching children a couple of days a week to pay the bills. If they want to record they often need to hustle to get the funding to pay for the studio, they may need to organise their own gigs and deal with the budgeting and then the publicity etc to get an audience. I don't want to put a damper on your son's enthusiasm but if he cant tear himself away from his drumsticks to deal with practicalities then life as a professional musician may well not be for him.

Spangers · 09/07/2024 09:06

My cousin is a drummer, he’s in various bands, has done tutoring, teaching at a college and worked for a musician‘s union.

beguilingeyes · 09/07/2024 09:26

If he wants to make a really good living, I would say that session work is the way to go. I went to school with a guy who plays drums and he tours with Radiohead now. similarly Kylie's bass player is a friend of mine also. It's a great life.

ViciousCurrentBun · 09/07/2024 10:31

My nephew is a drummer, he had a very exciting though relatively. short lived career. He was signed to a major record label and was support for a couple of big groups and played at a few festivals for a couple of years and did some touring. They didn’t do well enough but he did get his Auntie on the guest list for a gig that being me which was terribly exciting at the time. Band broke up and he got married and settled in to a steady career. He loved his time though.

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