I've been playing off and on for 30 plus years and this is the first time this has ever happened to me. Guys, I've lost the fire to play. I have so much crap going on (marriage in trouble, job, $, etc) that I just can't get my mind back on music. Hell, I even missed our last gig because of a family emergency and I actually didn't mind missing it. What the hell?!?! I haven't picked up my sticks since our last rehearsal and have had no desire to. Any advice?








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Ludwig Drums
Sabian Cymbals
Zildjian Dip Series sticks


http://www.myspace.com/eddiewan

im struggling with the same problem :S music and drumming used to be my passion and my entire life.. and now coming close to graduation and all, iv almost lost my love for playing, or atleast my ambition to go further with it.. im hoping for some motivation from going to other gigs and festivals, itll hopefully remind me of what I loved about it.. in any case can't help you there, im in the same boat =(








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~Kris

I think everyone goes thru this at some point in their life, especially when you get older and more responsibilities come into play in your life. I started playing when I was 15 and now I'm 27 and I have been in and out of it a hand full of times. I sold 4 kits within that time thinking the same thing as you, "did I lose the passion?" at times I did. There was a time within the past 5 years where I had gotten married had two kids, almost screwed my marriage up and everything else life has to throw at you, and I gave drums up. but again it's found it's way back into my life. now i realize it's apart of me and whatever I will go thru in the future good or bad it will always be there. just from reading your post it sounds to me that you just have too much crap on your plate at the moment, but you must have some bit of passion left or else you wouldn't have made this thread. if you had no desire at all you would just put it past you and not have given it a second thought. or I could be wrong, but I don't think so.

Maybe it's time for a vacation...?

I havn't had this problem yet... But it's sure to arise at some point. I dont think you'll be able to just shrug off 30 years worth of your life like it was nothen.

If I was you, i'de just take a break for a bit. Do some fun family stuffs.

I have a feeling you'll be doin' beats to the "click" from your turn signal in no time


And when you do pick it back up, you'll wonder why you ever left it.


Best to you.








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Falling down the stairs at the age of five was my first drum solo.

"They arn't dirty pants dude... That film is a protective barrier from all other bacterium" Quote from my roommate approx 1 month ago.

WhiteOleander wrote:

im struggling with the same problem :S music and drumming used to be my passion and my entire life.. and now coming close to graduation and all, iv almost lost my love for playing, or atleast my ambition to go further with it.. im hoping for some motivation from going to other gigs and festivals, itll hopefully remind me of what I loved about it.. in any case can't help you there, im in the same boat =(

you'd think the cymbal you just won would do it haha.

i think it would be best to maybe take a break from drums for a bit. get your life in check and once everything feels right sit down at ur set and see how it feels. just my opinion.








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you cant try to get it back. its something that is either there or it isnt. pack the drums up and take time off until the spark hits ya again and you wanna pick up the sticks.

play because you want to. not because you feel like you have to.

drummert2k is right, unless you sell your kit, it'll always be there, just wait it out and if it hits you. it hits you and you'll start up again.

i think everyone here is right about settin the sticks down until you feel ready to come back to it. Ive only been playing for 2 years and thank god nothing like that has happened to me. But ive noticed that if i watch a flashy drummer, then it gets me all hyped up and it makes me want to play. So go watch some speed metal videos or something =-P








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I am the pothic

drummert2k wrote:

play because you want to. not because you feel like you have to.

I agree, you shouldnt feel the need to play for the sake of playing, its gotta be in you to get up and play.

Something I find that helps is to mess things up abit. Change the place that you drum in, if you can that is. If not, change what the place looks like. Add some variation can really help Ive found. For example, for 3 1/2 years of my 4 years drumming, ive been in a partly sound proofed shed that hasnt changed much, if at all, over those years. A few weeks ago I got everything out (it needed cleaning...bad) and sorted the place out. Afterwards I put some more mattresses and generally attempted to add to the sound proofing in the shed. After putting my drums back in, the place looked completely different and further boosted my love of drumming.

Another thing that really gets me going, like Palryo said is if you

Quote:

watch a flashy drummer, then it gets me all hyped up and it makes me want to play. So go watch some speed metal videos or something =-P

I hope some of this helps man

Best wishes








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To those who understand, I extend my hand, To the Devil I command, Take me as I am.

Man what a bummer! I went through the same thing and I must say that it took me 5 years to get the fire back. I have been playing for over 20 years and I am now with an active band and recording again. Drums are in our blood and the desire will come back. I actually feel that the break made me a better drummer. The ideas and need to play gives you such an energy and opens your mind to new ideas. Hang in there is all I can say.

Take a week or two away from and you may already be doing this from what you are indicating. Find something new, most likely some new music you wouldn't have ever paid attention to. If you have aturntable, go to an old record store and do some browsing. What you need to get back to, is the reason you first started to play drums.








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Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com

http://www.youtube.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.myspace.com/drummermikemccraw

Thanks to everyone for the input.








_________________
Ludwig Drums
Sabian Cymbals
Zildjian Dip Series sticks


http://www.myspace.com/eddiewan

NCdrummer wrote:

I've been playing off and on for 30 plus years and this is the first time this has ever happened to me. Guys, I've lost the fire to play. I haven't picked up my sticks since our last rehearsal and have had no desire to. Any advice?

Well, I suggest you to buy the Zildjian drumsticks, because its logo is: Play With Fire. Sure you will.

iatemygoat wrote:

WhiteOleander wrote:

im struggling with the same problem :S music and drumming used to be my passion and my entire life.. and now coming close to graduation and all, iv almost lost my love for playing, or atleast my ambition to go further with it.. im hoping for some motivation from going to other gigs and festivals, itll hopefully remind me of what I loved about it.. in any case can't help you there, im in the same boat =(

you'd think the cymbal you just won would do it haha.

i think it would be best to maybe take a break from drums for a bit. get your life in check and once everything feels right sit down at ur set and see how it feels. just my opinion.

haha yea I see winning the cymbal as a sign that I really should continue drumming =p i mean what are the odds








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~Kris

I'm 36 and I can say,I honestly haven't lost the "fire" to play.However......on occasions with what curveballs life likes to throw at you,I have taken a deep breath and "sucked it up" so to speak and done the gig.Non-drummers dont realize the energy it takes to get us there to the gig....the energy to keep a band on our shoulders and on time....and the energy to pack up and load up.And most of us fellas and ladies too are the first ones to the show and usually the last ones to leave.If you're in a heavy gigging band,that takes a toll on the body.First and foremost....take care of business with family.And then work your way out.Sometimes you have to wipe the slate clean and start fresh.Especially when your playing music.A disruptive life will find its way into your music....and when the band starts noticing it,you catch my drift? The music will always be there...the reason for a family emergency,that family member might not.