On Being a Lady Drummer

After the librarian conference wrapped up today, I had a chance to do a little exploring in Indianapolis and wandered into the Rhythm Discover Center. I was a little dubious about going: would it just be a million kids banging wildly away? Not that I'm opposed to wild banging (um, interpret that as you will) but I don't need those cute little munchkins stealing my thunder. But I overcame my doubts and stopped in, and am so glad I did. It was a small but lovingly-crafted museum with only a few loud young drummers. The main exhibit was about the history of the drum set and included information on Ludwig drum sets, and the label copy posed this question: "What stories or memories do you have when you see Ludwig kits like these?" 

My senior picture with my Ludwig drum set. Really. 

Stories?! Do I have stories! My drum set is in fact a Ludwig that I have had since the summer of 1987. I think my mom wanted to get me a drum set from the first day I started playing, but she didn't have the funds until years later. (I'm not sure why we never tried to find a reasonably priced used set, but this was in the days before Craig's List.) By the time I did finally get a set I only had one year of high school left (and NO where to put the thing) but we didn't let that stop us. I may not have played it much but it did make an awesome senior picture prop! I've held on to this beauty for over 25 years (still don't really have room for it) even through years of disuse. I am happy that it is finally getting a bit of a workout when I (occasionally) practice for the Twin Town tribute gigs Chad and I have played in. My lovely red Ludwig set even made it to the stage two years ago when I played Shirley the drumming (and stripping) librarian in Chameleon's production of "True Love." (I think the fact that I had a drum set we could use in the show helped me to get cast. That doesn't bother me, though, I'm more than happy to trade on my looks or my musical instrument ownership to get a role). 

Me as Shirley from "True Love."

Just last weekend Chad and I played with two different Twin Town tribute bands (one in honor of Tom Petty and one for the Clash) at Whiskey Junction. It amazes me that it has been less than a year since Chad and I started taking band lessons (I like to call it "Band Camp") and playing at the recitals. The camps have become such a huge and rewarding part of our lives. I remember watching the bands at recitals when Chad was performing solo and wondering, "Could I do that?"...then thinking "I could never do that...well maybe I could do that..." (Like most times in my life, I never really thought, "SHOULD I do that?") And my drummer fire had already had a mid-life rekindling through my stint as Shirley.

My journey as a Lady Drummer (thanks to the Daily Show for the "Lady Mayor" reference) began many years ago when I was a kid of about 10. My memory of that time is murky, but fifth grade was the year we got to start band and pick our instruments. Playing in band was a given in my family. My mom always wanted her kids to experience playing music (a dream of hers that ended with a few short accordion lessons) so my siblings and I all had piano lessons starting when we were around 7. Band was the next step. My mom had a great attitude about music lessons and never pressured us (okay, maybe she should have pushed me a little more) and I had a wonderful piano teacher so I was definitely up for band. So what instrument to play?

Like most girls of my day, flute was my first choice. It was just what girls did. Luckily for this girl, I had an older brother, Charley, who told me to play drums. I basically worshiped my older brother and would have done whatever he said, so I'm also fortunate that he didn't encourage me to take up the didgeridoo or spoons (both fine instruments, I'm sure, but I don't think they lend themselves to inclusion in most midwestern high school bands). My brother says there was a strategy behind his recommendation, and that he realized there was more of a need for drummers than flutists (especially girl drummers) and that I would get more air time. Sadly, I don't have any dramatic underdog stories about being a girl drummer fighting against the odds in a male-dominated musical world (nor did being around all those boys improve my teen dating record). I was a totally whiny girl drummer when it came to marching with a snare drum. I don't know if our school just had sad equipment or I didn't know what I was doing, but I always got substantially bruised from having the snare drum hit my upper thigh.

Whiny or not, I turned out to be a pretty mean snare drummer (paradiddles or flamacues anyone? That's right, I am TOTALLY showing off!) But I mostly played in our "sit-down" high school band and never had much chance to play a drum set. That is one of hardest and most exciting things about playing with Twin Town bands. I'm used to scripted, structured playing, but working together with a band that is feeling and grooving its way through the music is a whole new thing. Sometimes I feel guilty about being the drummer because I have it too easy, while other times I feel way too pressured to keep the whole thing together. I think that's the key contradiction of drumming...most of the time you're just kind of chilling and keeping the beat (at least at my level of musical ability) and it's not too flashy, but if you screw up too badly, you take the whole band down with you and everyone will notice. 

It's hard for me to judge my competence but I think that overall my Twin Town drumming has been a success. I'm hesitant to say that, not because I'm modest, but because I don't want to think about it too much and ruin whatever unconscious or "natural" ability I have. Despite having no body memory for any other physical skill in my life, I do seem blessed with a natural sense of rhythm. I did augment this natural talent with a fair amount of study and practice back in my youth, so I can now call up my drumming skills without too much conscious thought. No matter how good (or bad) of a drummer I am, it's certainly been a blast. I have even experienced times when I am so into the music that I am totally living in the moment. And of course, I love the thrill and terror of performing, and playing music brings its own unique vulnerability and rush. 

It seems that female drummers are still somewhat of a novelty, even these many moons later. And I apparently am a disappointingly dainty drummer and don't move my arms much or put on a good show. I like to think I am just economical. I don't waste any movement. Or maybe I just developed this habit as a lazy teen who hated any form of exercise. (I'm definitely a better bass drum player now because my leg doesn't give out after two measures). My brother says I need to feel and channel my inner angst so I can wow the audience more. 

I also continue to be a stereotypical girl drummer in that I know absolutely nothing about the mechanics of my drum set or drumming. Having to take down and reassemble my drum set fills me with dread, and I've never even considered tuning it. But I attribute this more to just being Amy and my discomfort with all things "technical" (figuring out which burner of the stove I am turning on is a challenge) than to being female. Maybe if I just take all my (not-so) repressed rage about all those dang-dabbit contraptions (I'm looking at YOU, Apple!) that confound me I will finally unleash my inner Animal. And get some really awesome biceps.