A Steady Beat

OK, it’s TMI (too much information) time. I have been a drummer since I was six—my mother gave me the option of a bike or a drum set for my birthday. My drumming drove her crazy (and the neighbors, and the neighbors’ neighbors) from the noise for more than a decade. I played in concert band, jazz band, orchestra and also played snare in the marching band. I was what you would call a “band geek” and I didn’t care; I loved every minute of it. While some may not realize it, being in the band is akin to a team sport. Everyone has a roll to play and if one person misses a beat, drops a note or (in marching band) heaven forbid, takes a wrong turn, everything is thrown off kilter. On the flip side, when everything goes right, everyone is in tune and timing is perfect. Something magical happens.