Three Ways to Outlearn Your Competition

HOUSTON, TX - I have no idea who this drummer is, but this is some badass percussive thought leadership!  Hard enough to conceive, let alone execute. The real pyrotechnics don't start until 1:18.  Until then, he's just establishing a rhythmic theme for the piece.

So why am I putting this on an ecommerce blog?  Three reasons:

1. I like the way the artist decided to make a tape loop (!!!) and take apart this impossible groove piece by piece.  Musicians call this "woodshedding" -- getting back to the woodshed and practicing one's craft in isolation until it's ready for prime time.  Most people lack that kind of discipline and focus.  Geoffrey Colvin's wonderful book "Talent is Overrated" discusses the benefits of "deliberate practice," and that's that we have here.  It's a boring pain in the neck to practice a lick over... and over... and over again, but when it's time to rock the party, you'll be ready to BRING IT.


2. This drummer video taped himself, and I'd sure he will review the footage until he's sick of it.  Ask Tiger Woods about the benefits of such self-analysis.  The video taping also tells us that the artist has a goal for his practice -- something very specific that he wants to improve.  Wanna get better?  No problem: Put it in writing. Vividly imagine it. Ardently desire it. Commit to it. Like this guy.


3. His YouTube profile says that he studied with Eric Harland, which says a lot about his artistic ambitions.  It pays to aim high in the choice of one's heroes, mentors, and instructors.  Likewise, hacks don't study with the best.  Clearly, this guy wants to soar with eagles, and by the looks of his off-the-hook Afro-Cuban solo, we'll be seeing him on Drummerworld very soon.

QUESTIONS: Who are your marketing mentors?  Are they the best in the business?  What aspect of your game are you trying to improve?  Why, specifically?  Finally, do you practice your craft with intensity and focus until you get it right?  Most people don't.

Comments

[Kevin Strawbridge]

Harry - you have the best blog posts...why I would ever want to spend 4.5 minutes watching a drummer is beyond me...yet I did...and it insprired me. You rock - literally!!!