Keeping a hobby, a hobby.

Sometimes too much is too much. When we plan our hobby activity with the same intensity as a Wall Street management consultant, we may be missing the point. I may be at that place in my drumming.

I’ve two hobbies: drumming and dancing.

Dancing is casual and with my wife. We go to class, we have fun. The only goal is to show up and do our best. I come home from class refreshed and filled with joy. Hmmm….

Drumming on the other hand is an obsession that needs taming. It started out as a fun project to help me get through a divorce. I put in as much as 10 hours a week or more. For 10 years. How do I feel? A little frayed. My hobby has become work. 

So I’m fighting burnout. I’ve done some research.

What to do to avoid burnout?

1. I’m not planning on stepping back from it. I love it too much. I now jam at a level I never dreamed I would reach. My initial ambitions were to play in a community concert band. Now I jam with professionals and play shows with artists. Band was fun, but this is music making on a much more refined level. I’ve travelled the world to be coached by some of the finest drummers out there. Their expectation was uniform: you will sound professional.
2. I’m ready for a new plan. And a more uniform path of gradual improvement, but way less frantic. I’m coming to peace with the instrument, my age, and my ambitions.

Step one: I’m narrowing my focus: Jazz with a modern twist and New Music/improv. I no longer have the time or inclination to be well rounded. I was a well round pianist in my gigging days. It was a trap that kept me in gigging (weddings, clubs, corporate etc. work-a-day stuff) but out of the real interesting possibilities open to specialists.

Step two: work locally with drum coaches with who are known for teaching technique. I’m hearing things in my head that I can’t execute.   

Step three: I will work on my drum transcription blog. “it’s all about repertoire baby!” to paraphrase an old line from a Hollywood character. http://jazzdrumtranscriptions.blogspot.com/

Step four: I will stick with my current projects. No new projects for awhile.

Step five: keep up the healthy living routines I’ve build up: Sleep, exercise, clean living, stretching etc. I will keep putting this ahead of all else.

Best,

​David
PS: The Passion Paradox book below.