The Practical Pro Musician

Today is a very special episode of Drummer Daily. I want to share a special message with you. If you're feeling like your pursuit of becoming a pro drummer isn't going as well as you'd hoped, or you're feeling frustrated with a lack of progress in your playing- this episode is for you! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Why in the world would a music producer hire a drummer who lives across the globe to provide studio drum tracks when he can hire a local pro drummer and have him in the studio within 30 minutes? Great question- and it's one worth exploring... Let's get into it...Show notes and more resources for building a career as a pro drummer at DanielHadaway.com/149 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Listener Harrison writes in: "I want to know how to get in the industry. I really want this career but I don't know what to do."Find out how to become a professional drummer at DanielHadaway.com/148 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Let's get down to the nitty-gritty today. Raphael asks: "My question is the same as any other professional, I guess, How do you get your first paid gig (customer)?"Explore all Drummer Daily episodes, plus more FREE stuff over at DanielHadaway.com/147 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mark asks about what the most efficient ways to network as a drummer are... What kind of places/events should we attend, what websites do we join, etc. My answer might surprise you...Show notes (along with links mentioned in this episode) are available at DanielHadaway.com/146 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today's excellent question comes from Austin. He asks: "How often do you work on rudiments and for how long? Also, what's your typical practice routine? I feel like I haven't been improving as much as I should be and I know it's because I don't have a disciplined practice routine. I usually end up just jamming to music, practicing the church songs for that week, or playing grooves to a click. What would you recommend for a solid routine that will help me take my drumming to the next level?"Check out the answer and more at DanielHadaway.com/145 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ryo asks a question about how to pursue a drum career without feeling like you're taking away from your family or being selfish. This is a tough one, and definitely something that I have experience with. So let's talk about it...Explore the complete path to becoming a professional drummer at DanielHadaway.com/144 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Listener Samuele writes: "I've always dreamed to make my passion (playing drums) a job but I never understood how could I live from that, I mean what's the way to take to get money by playing the drums?"Great question and I've got a great answer. More info and AWESOME resources at DanielHadaway.com/143 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sometimes, when it comes to our drumming and practice, it's not going to be exactly "right" in every way. When we identify those moments as they happen, we can choose to just "show up" and do the work, knowing that it still counts as progress, or we can do nothing at all...Get the whole story and more at danielhadaway.com/142 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Is going to open jam sessions at small clubs and bars a good way ro network/meet other musicians? Or should we focus on getting better in the studio? Today's excellent question comes from Nicholas: "My biggest question is about playing out in open jam situations or at smaller bars/clubs. Is this a good way to get your foot in the door and meet people in the industry or is it more important to work with backing/click tracks and be more studio focused? I've had opportunities to meet and play with professional musicians in both types of settings and I understand that it's important to be able to do both, but my question is more from a networking perspective. Is doing one more important than the other?"Get the whole story and tons of free drumming content at DanielHadaway.com/141 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How can you make contacts and start a band if you're shy? Listener Edmond had that question. He says: So, my burning question is, as a teenager, how do I find the people to make a band with or to play music with? I'm kind of stuck, because my friends don't really want to and I'm a naturally shy person, so the idea of going out and finding people terrifies me. Any advice?Get the full story and more at DanielHadaway.com/140 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A great question today from Josh. He says "If I go for a specific sound as a drummer, then it seems that i'm limiting myself to artists that only want that sound. Also, I see many studios around where I live that already have kits set up and tuned/dialed in so it would seem that my own personal sound would be irrelevant if the producer already knows what she/he wants."Get the whole story and more at DanielHadaway.com/139 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The second you decide to become a pro drummer, your job description drastically changes. Let's talk about that, plus how can you tell if you REALLY want to be a pro drummer, or should just be happy playing drums at home?Get all the info, plus join my FREE track of the month club over at DanielHadaway.com/138 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

My story of opening a coffee shop and how it relates to being a pro drummer. Also some tough love about taking a closer look at our dreams and aspirations as drummers and deciding if they're dreams, or merely fantasies...All this and a ton more awesome drum-related goodness over at DanielHadaway.com/137 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Elijah writes in and asks: How many takes does it usually take to get a solid drum track in the studio? Are there guys who can do it in one take? And what about quantizing drums- do you ever do that? Are there professionals who are "that good" and never get quantized? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

An excellent question comes in from Cory today: Can I actually make money recording drums remotely at my house for other people? So let's talk about it: Is this actually possible? If so, how does it work?Get the whole story and more at danielhadaway.com/135 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Listener Jamie writes in and asks about how he can make the most of moving to a new city- where he doesn't know anyone in the music scene. So how can we start to make contacts in the music business and hopefully start to leverage that into paying gigs?Explore tons of awesome resources for aspiring professional drummers (and show notes for this episode) at danielhadaway.com/134 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jeremy writes: "Without all of the high tech video/recording equipment, how am I supposed to get some good footage of my playing? Without videos that I can show prospective employers I feel like i'm stuck..."Get the whole story, including links and videos mentioned in this episode at danielhadaway.com/133 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I received a great question from listener Josh: As a drummer, does it help to move to a heavy musical city such as Nashville or the west/east coast? I am a drummer in Little Rock, Arkansas. I would prefer to start a career as a drummer with a band that comes out of my city. How do I leverage networking and building my portfolio while not necessarily being in a city that has a ton going for it in the world of music?Full transcript, free drumless backing tracks and more available at danielhadaway.com/132 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Another listener question and it's a good one... How can I get to know music industry contacts if I'm moving to a new city to make it in the music business?Get the full story, transcript and more at DanielHadaway.com/131 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.