I've been in and seen quite a few Sri Lankan bands, and in my travels I have come across a fascinating species of musician: drummers.
A lot of Sri Lankan drummers don't have drum kits at their homes, the only times they get to even touch one is when they go to a studio or go to the place of a friend who has one.
From what I've gathered, drumming isn't easy, its just as complicated as playing any other instrument, if not more (I tend to think it's harder). You have to keep control of all four limbs and all the while count off the beat to get the next break right. It's damn hard.
So how the hell do they practice?
In the old days, when I showed Marlin a rhythm on the guitar, he would start slapping his knees to the beat. Sometimes he'd get out a cushioned stool and play on that with a couple of drum sticks.
When I was first learning guitar, I thought it was boring because I couldn't string together 3 chords to play a song. It wasn't 'fun' because I wasn't 'hearing' anything.
The other day, we were showing Ryan a song that he had to work out the drums for, and immediately started drumming on thin air and I realized; this is the life of a Sri Lankan drummer. They can't get 'bored' or they'll never be able to play properly. All that hard practice they put in is virtual.
So how the hell do they play so well when they DO get hold of a drum kit?? They're truly awesome.
Great work guys. It will always be a pleasure to play guitar alongside you. Watching the way you guys gradually become great musicians is truly inspiring.
A lot of Sri Lankan drummers don't have drum kits at their homes, the only times they get to even touch one is when they go to a studio or go to the place of a friend who has one.
From what I've gathered, drumming isn't easy, its just as complicated as playing any other instrument, if not more (I tend to think it's harder). You have to keep control of all four limbs and all the while count off the beat to get the next break right. It's damn hard.
So how the hell do they practice?
In the old days, when I showed Marlin a rhythm on the guitar, he would start slapping his knees to the beat. Sometimes he'd get out a cushioned stool and play on that with a couple of drum sticks.
When I was first learning guitar, I thought it was boring because I couldn't string together 3 chords to play a song. It wasn't 'fun' because I wasn't 'hearing' anything.
The other day, we were showing Ryan a song that he had to work out the drums for, and immediately started drumming on thin air and I realized; this is the life of a Sri Lankan drummer. They can't get 'bored' or they'll never be able to play properly. All that hard practice they put in is virtual.
So how the hell do they play so well when they DO get hold of a drum kit?? They're truly awesome.
Great work guys. It will always be a pleasure to play guitar alongside you. Watching the way you guys gradually become great musicians is truly inspiring.
P.S. I'm not saying other musicians aren't awesome, all Sri Lankan musicians are awesome. We don't get paid for what we do, we have other shit going on with our lives, but still we keep at it. Respect to you all!