by Thomas Altmann » Wed Jan 13, 2021 9:04 pm
Hi David,
welcome here! I'm living in Hamburg, Germany, and I'm doubling, too. Started playing drum set in 1971, picked up Cuban percussion in 1979; first timbales, then congas, and gradually bongó. Finally, since 1988 or so, I got into batá drumming. I'm probably a better conga drummer than a jazz drummer - relatively - but have always made my living mainly on the drum set, anyway.
I had an extensive practice program for congas and bongos in the summer. Then I decided I had to take care of stickwork as well, and I almost had to force myself to begin. Now I'm seriously practicing concert snare etudes and techniques. Two years ago, I even took some lessons from a great percussionist of the Hamburger Staatsoper, Massimo Drechsler, who is famous for his snare drum skills. All I can say is that the requirements for a classical percussionist seem to (un)cover all my deficiencies not only as a drummer, but also as a musician. That stuff is hard, often no fun for months and years, but it's exactly what I need to take in: Reading, odd meters and meter changes, dynamic control, clean press roll, and staying mentally relaxed while doing it.
I don't care, if I'll never be able to play in an orchestra (above all, because those conductors tend to confuse me). It's an exercise for me, one that makes me mature artistically. It makes the best of this lockdown for me. I don't miss performing that much, I confess. I could go on like this for years. This type of practice is what I had been longing to do while I was busy driving around and playing all sorts of gigs!
Enjoy combing through the forum history!
Thomas