Now this certainly is a very interesting topic and one i had to confront about ten months back, when i started playing live again with Matt Dwyer and his Little Big Band. You see for virtually my entire drumming career i had never done a drum solo - good i hear some of you say.

My excuse always, i don't solo i just keep the groove so the rest of the band can shine. How noble of me. Yet interestingly when ever i had a moment on my own i would just let rip with not a care in the world and really enjoy the moment.

Now on reflection i believe i became my story of being the holder of the groove. Funny how all the other musicians in the band would constantly put themselves on the line by soloing and yet i would not.

Was i a wee bit scared perhaps of putting myself on the line, the fear of sinking into the abyss of embarassment if i stuffed up. So for all these years i reckon i was choosing the safe option ( far less exciting in hindsight) over the riskier option.

Well i am happy to report that the very first gig i did with Matt Dwyer at Young and Jackson's he and the rest of the band walked off stage and left it up to me - sink or swim time. Amazingly i felt totally at ease and had the crowd literally eating out of my hand. At the end of it all i wondered to myself what the hell was all this nonsense that i had created over the years about doing a drum solo.

Believe in yourself and don't be itimidated by other drummer's - your voice is just as valid as there's.

I was relieved and quitely proud of myself for having put myself on the line. Now i have the freedom and confidence to express myself in a different manner on the drumkit. You know once you have conquered your fear it gets easier and easier and now i am constantly in search of the ultimate musical drum solo that both satisfies me and the audience at the same time - because i want to keep them on the dance floor and not bore them with drumming gymnastics.

The moral of the story - Don't become your story and remeber "the fear of failure is far worse that failure itself." 

PS. I still love the groove but i also enjoy the spotlight when it's my turn.

Until next time be yourself and create your own sound

  Steve