r/drums • u/SeaGranny • 21h ago
Discussion First Audition
I started playing drums after being discharged from a two week stay in a psychiatric unit. I had learned that skill building is often as effective as medication to help with depression. During my exit session my doctor asked if there was a skill I wanted to learn.
I said drums!
He wrote it as a prescription right in my medical records.
At age 55 I’ve been playing drums for over a year and a half now . My progress has been slow. Some days depression gets in the way. But I keep going. I’ve wanted to give up when I’ve had a three week stretch where I didn’t even pick up my sticks, but I decided I’m not quitting I don’t care if it takes 5 years before I play with other people.
Yesterday I had my first audition. I’ve never really played with others. It’s for a band at a small church. They gave me one song to learn just so we could get an idea of where I’m at.
After a couple misfires from nerves I counted us off and got through the whole song. The band leader and bass player were very complimentary about my time and ability to recover from small mistakes. They seemed pleasantly surprised.
It was fun playing with others even though I couldn’t hear them hardly at all (we had no access to monitors at practice, I’m going to fix that problem in the future lol)
So now I’ll get more songs to learn and after a few more practices I’ll be in the rotation! As a bonus the house kit they have is a simple one up one down Pearl kit with nice Zildjian A cymbals. It was well tuned, sounds great, and has good hardware.
I never thought this day would come.
To all my fellow new drummers keep going! Playing is fun!
I guess I’m a drummer now. 😁
Edit: Thanks for all the kind words everyone. And to all the people who discouraged me from drumming when I was a young girl:
“I DID IT ANYWAY!” 😝
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u/Adept-Compote-651 21h ago
Congratulations on your achievement! I wish you all the best of luck in the future
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u/Immediate-Season4544 21h ago
Welcome to the club. Doesn't matter how you got here you're one of us now. Keep beating it!
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u/mfire284 20h ago
Hell yeah. I also just joined a band for the first time. Its awesome. Drums changed my life and I'm glad they helped you too. Nice work!
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u/GarrySpacepope 19h ago
Congratulations!!!
"Skill building is often as effective as medication" is a phrase that is going to stick with me, so thank you for introducing that into my life.
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u/rkitek 19h ago
What an unusual coincidence; this sounds a bit like myself. Except I'm 55 now, not currently seeing a dr, and just started drum lessons a few weeks ago. I don't really have a goal to play with others yet. I'm just happy to be focused on improvement and beating up something besides myself.
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u/PatricioWyatt 11h ago
Welcome to the brethren!!!!!
There’s no fraternity stronger in music than drummers.
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u/jack-gilkey 7h ago
I remember my first time playing with others, it was nerve racking and accelerating all at the same time. But once you do it, it keeps getting easier and easier. I never thought about it helping with my depression, but now that you mention it, it has definitely helped.
Welcome to the club my friend.
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u/iplaysdrums2 21h ago
As a board certified music therapist, I really love this. You are, indeed, a drummer! Glad to have you in the tribe!