Little Drummer Boy Andrew Motey

Nickelback, Green Day, and Blink 182 shook the walls in my room as I let my mind wander. Tap, two, three, four, I thought, as the beat of Photograph vibrated around my room and slid into my ears. My pillows became a drum set and the carpet converted into a vibrant crowd. I gave astounding performances and the eager audience demanded an encore. One night, after countless performances, I crept into my parents’ bedroom and nervously asked them, “Can I drum?” Both enthusiastically agreed.

Drumming has been a vital part of my life since I was nine years old. I began with just a pair of drumsticks and a rubber practice pad. I beat this pad for hours every day for a year to prove to my parents that I was dedicated to the instrument. My siblings hated the noise, but I knew my parents were happy I was focusing my energy on something constructive. I initially learned how to properly grip the drum sticks, and soon after, I caught on to the rudiments that ground every drummer. I learned double stroke rolls, triple paradiddles, and flam accents. After mastering these key patterns, I was able to apply my foundation to a multitude of genres, ranging from fusion jazz to progressive rock.

That first year of drumming worked wonders in my life....