Section One | Pulling it all Together
Part 2
Part 2
A personal connection
The drumset epitomizes multiplicity and diversity. It is inherently collaborative on multiple levels, from its input to its output and everything in between. Its coalescence arose from cultural diversity, which gives it the unique ability, insight even, to speak the world’s rhythmic languages in modern relatable terms.
Due to the collaborative nature of the instrument and the coming together of all that we are in playing it creatively, the drumset plays an important role in personal and cultural development. Drumming’s very nature as a social event places us at the heart of the culture.
Because of its collective nature the instrument presents us with the potential for a complete physical, mental, emotional, experiential and spiritual connection. This experience of total interface is the gateway for expanding connectedness on all levels. A crucible for personal alchemy, the drumset provides a context and laboratory for making connections and sensing truth; it creates a discipline for learning and growth, for traversing worlds of sound, culture, history, science and art. It holds potential for the integration of a profound personal practice.
For me, practice is continuous, meaningful work. It is something I do because it gives me great pleasure. Most of what I practice is defined by clear and present ideas that I wish to express more clearly or modify for a certain feel.
Playing drums is something I wish to do above all else. In the process of improving my abilities on the drums, I find ways to expand my capacities and sensibilities overall. Practice is my active participation in the act of improving.
The sound and feel I get is not simply the sound of my drums and cymbals, but rather is a direct result of how I am playing them right now. My tone is a direct reflection of who I am at that very moment. Specifically, it reflects my level of hearing. The ability to blend or contrast, the clarity of my sounds and rhythms, even my humanness and my own perceived limitations - all that is within me is on display.
The personal discipline that I cultivate through proper practice continually sharpens and expands my sensibilities. This has brought clarity to my life and to my music.
The work is a continuous process of clarifying, of taking multiple perspectives to better understand something that I think might hold truth. Details become finer and finer while my mental space increases. I work to observe and to imagine, asking, what makes this work or why isn’t this working? Or, what if I did this instead? I recognize, assimilate, modify and integrate. I may work to make the complicated simple, or to find the complex within the simple. Mistakes become opportunities. In the process of improving, of fixing, of making changes and trying new approaches, I increase my capacity for improvisation, explore divergent ideas and make intelligent choices.
In addition, my work teaches me understanding, patience, acceptance, and determination. I change the things I cannot accept; I cultivate an acceptance of the nature of things and accept that which cannot be known, possessed, understood or quantified. My health and well-being are balanced by allowing for the suchness of life, not through worrying or thinking too much.
More importantly, practice gives me the confidence to keep my heart open to give and receive. I practice so I can make the music feel good, make others feel good; to have good health and a clear mind. The entirety of my practice cultivates the perception to see things as they are and be at peace; to be a true expression of my essential being on every level at every moment. I cultivate a core of clear vibrations from which comes all that I think, say, feel and do. At this core is personal integrity and relevance.
Practice is not only defined as time spent shedding. I include any and all aspects of music activity as practice: attentive listening, going to a show, reading music-related books, sharing some of my experience with others, even visiting drum shops and record stores. Time spent identifying, solving problems and thinking creatively away from the kit is always beneficial. Learning as much as possible about the instrument, the music, the people, the cultures, etc., informs my creative ability, my intuition.
All of it helps me make music on three levels. I can develop an artful unity of past, present and future. First, articulating something that acknowledges the past means I’ve done my homework; it informs my work and feeds my intuition to speak a familiar, rhythmic, musical and cultural language people can understand. Secondly, to interpret in a way that reflects and resonates with the present time; to say something honest, relevant, and contemporary. And lastly, to be forward-looking; to be creative in a way that perhaps contributes something new. I can push my internal limitations and create a brighter opening amidst the bleak mortal whirl.
I practice to hone my skills for listening, for imagining, for expanding cognitive skills and empathy. The backbone of this type of practice is self-awareness and mindfulness. Mindful, engaged practicing helps me feel centered and grounded; I connect with my instrument each and every day. For me, deliberate practice is a meditation. It is deep, direct, mindful attention, a highly focused state of mental and physical awareness. The discipline of mindfulness enables a direct connection with truth and honest music-making.
Practice provides clarity which helps me set goals and gives me the determination to reach them. I uncover parts of myself, eliminate what I do not need and endeavor to bring out my best. This alchemy helps in purifying my sound. Practice, like learning, is a process of personal change and adaptability. There is a partnership.
Playing music makes me want to practice. Playing my instrument is something that I want to do above all else, and I have gradually structured my life to be able to do so. It wasn’t easy, and for this I am eternally grateful.
Thanks for reading. ... Brett F. Campbell, 2019
The drumset epitomizes multiplicity and diversity. It is inherently collaborative on multiple levels, from its input to its output and everything in between. Its coalescence arose from cultural diversity, which gives it the unique ability, insight even, to speak the world’s rhythmic languages in modern relatable terms.
Due to the collaborative nature of the instrument and the coming together of all that we are in playing it creatively, the drumset plays an important role in personal and cultural development. Drumming’s very nature as a social event places us at the heart of the culture.
Because of its collective nature the instrument presents us with the potential for a complete physical, mental, emotional, experiential and spiritual connection. This experience of total interface is the gateway for expanding connectedness on all levels. A crucible for personal alchemy, the drumset provides a context and laboratory for making connections and sensing truth; it creates a discipline for learning and growth, for traversing worlds of sound, culture, history, science and art. It holds potential for the integration of a profound personal practice.
For me, practice is continuous, meaningful work. It is something I do because it gives me great pleasure. Most of what I practice is defined by clear and present ideas that I wish to express more clearly or modify for a certain feel.
Playing drums is something I wish to do above all else. In the process of improving my abilities on the drums, I find ways to expand my capacities and sensibilities overall. Practice is my active participation in the act of improving.
The sound and feel I get is not simply the sound of my drums and cymbals, but rather is a direct result of how I am playing them right now. My tone is a direct reflection of who I am at that very moment. Specifically, it reflects my level of hearing. The ability to blend or contrast, the clarity of my sounds and rhythms, even my humanness and my own perceived limitations - all that is within me is on display.
The personal discipline that I cultivate through proper practice continually sharpens and expands my sensibilities. This has brought clarity to my life and to my music.
The work is a continuous process of clarifying, of taking multiple perspectives to better understand something that I think might hold truth. Details become finer and finer while my mental space increases. I work to observe and to imagine, asking, what makes this work or why isn’t this working? Or, what if I did this instead? I recognize, assimilate, modify and integrate. I may work to make the complicated simple, or to find the complex within the simple. Mistakes become opportunities. In the process of improving, of fixing, of making changes and trying new approaches, I increase my capacity for improvisation, explore divergent ideas and make intelligent choices.
In addition, my work teaches me understanding, patience, acceptance, and determination. I change the things I cannot accept; I cultivate an acceptance of the nature of things and accept that which cannot be known, possessed, understood or quantified. My health and well-being are balanced by allowing for the suchness of life, not through worrying or thinking too much.
More importantly, practice gives me the confidence to keep my heart open to give and receive. I practice so I can make the music feel good, make others feel good; to have good health and a clear mind. The entirety of my practice cultivates the perception to see things as they are and be at peace; to be a true expression of my essential being on every level at every moment. I cultivate a core of clear vibrations from which comes all that I think, say, feel and do. At this core is personal integrity and relevance.
Practice is not only defined as time spent shedding. I include any and all aspects of music activity as practice: attentive listening, going to a show, reading music-related books, sharing some of my experience with others, even visiting drum shops and record stores. Time spent identifying, solving problems and thinking creatively away from the kit is always beneficial. Learning as much as possible about the instrument, the music, the people, the cultures, etc., informs my creative ability, my intuition.
All of it helps me make music on three levels. I can develop an artful unity of past, present and future. First, articulating something that acknowledges the past means I’ve done my homework; it informs my work and feeds my intuition to speak a familiar, rhythmic, musical and cultural language people can understand. Secondly, to interpret in a way that reflects and resonates with the present time; to say something honest, relevant, and contemporary. And lastly, to be forward-looking; to be creative in a way that perhaps contributes something new. I can push my internal limitations and create a brighter opening amidst the bleak mortal whirl.
I practice to hone my skills for listening, for imagining, for expanding cognitive skills and empathy. The backbone of this type of practice is self-awareness and mindfulness. Mindful, engaged practicing helps me feel centered and grounded; I connect with my instrument each and every day. For me, deliberate practice is a meditation. It is deep, direct, mindful attention, a highly focused state of mental and physical awareness. The discipline of mindfulness enables a direct connection with truth and honest music-making.
Practice provides clarity which helps me set goals and gives me the determination to reach them. I uncover parts of myself, eliminate what I do not need and endeavor to bring out my best. This alchemy helps in purifying my sound. Practice, like learning, is a process of personal change and adaptability. There is a partnership.
Playing music makes me want to practice. Playing my instrument is something that I want to do above all else, and I have gradually structured my life to be able to do so. It wasn’t easy, and for this I am eternally grateful.
Thanks for reading. ... Brett F. Campbell, 2019
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