Tommy Igoe is a great drummer with a wealth of knowledge. This video was brought up as an answer to a facebook question about what a drummer should do when other players are trying to tell them how to play.
I know excactly how you felt. I was playing with a smooth jazz band called Dtsero out of Denver, Co. Original stuff for the most part. 2 brothers in the band and the same carp happened to me. One guy would saw lay back, 2 measures later his brother would say don't drag, the bass player says feels good. Drove me & everyother drummer who ever subbed on that crazy. I finally unloaded on one of the brothers & his brother says your an employee, Do what your told. I didn't play with those guys again for months until they had gone throught every drummer on the front range and needed a drummer who knew the book. I layed it down and ignored any direction. Eff it I told myself. I'm doing them a favour bailing them out. Good on ya . William
I respect Tommy for having the courage to tell it like it is. Not always politically correct but brutally honest. It's a mark of maturity and wisdom, and it's up to us to either take it or leave it.
I remember watching groove essentials a loooong time ago and thinking to myself how cool Tommy was/is. I immediately became drawn by his humorous style and the way he made me feel like I'm his little brother and he wants me to be as good if not better than him! This is why I love Tommy Igoe, and it's the reason why he is one of my major influences! Heck I even decided to play traditional grip because of his influence on me! Thanks for your contributing to the drum wolrd Tommy! -Henry
I had a chance to sit in with a group of musicians at the Moore Conservatory just outside Philly - it was a bad experience for me, but I told the obnoxious bassist that we should change instruments for a while, of course I knew he would be lost behind the kit. I know how it feels - mean while unlike the jerk, I was making money and having fun freelancing and never begging for work. Tommy, your a great drummer today, and I follow you work. Thank you for sharing, it helps with closure.
Right on Tommy! How many guitarists does it take to change a light bulb?.....Ten - one to change the bulb and nine to tell him how they could have done it better!!
Its amazing, how the backbiting and ego's get in the way of music and how the musicians try to manipulate the younger players. So much for the trumpet player.....whats he doing now?
This guy is my fave drummer/educator, and this advice is so true as it kinda happened to me, or there about's, it was horrible, but it teaches you not to get in the same position again.
Oh man.... I've been there too. In 1999 I played with a great guitarist that I later played with on 2006. He asked me what happened, why I wasn't playing as good as I was before, even though I was playing and teaching more at that point! I stiffened up a lot. Listening back, I had become so stiff.... Very low point for me.
Tommy Igoe was absolutely correct. I was in two different bands in NYC where 2 different guys tried to denigrate me and my playing because they had friends who were drummers whom they wanted to get into the band. I always found that the better the musician, the easier it was to play with them. I also think that some musicians have lousy time keeping ability. Nothing worse than playing with a bad bass player.
Funny how everybody who does these life changing moments for Vic Firth talks about their big break. But Tommy, and this is why I love this guy so much, was not afraid to spill his guts about a major fail that pushed him to a unique awareness of what never to do again. This is the type of thing that ruins careers before they ever start the vast majority of the time. The world is full of cats who are truck drivers and plumbers that had a golden opportunity blow up on them but a very few who took those experiences and turned them into positives that turned their careers around.
Great story! Been in the exact position with a corporate/wedding band. Bass player your rushing ,guitar player your dragging,singer total ass holeTook the air out of my sail. Now I play like I want to and do not take any bull shit .And work as much as I want.
At this point in time I would say Tommy is WAY too good for BS&T. Let them keep playing their fiddly little tunes, Tommy. You’re out of their league now.
Tommy Igoe is a great drummer with a wealth of knowledge. This video was brought up as an answer to a facebook question about what a drummer should do when other players are trying to tell them how to play.
I've been watching and listening to Tommy for years and just found this post of him. I never saw this side of him and I'm glad I did.
Living legend
I think Joe Morello said something like: "The secret to failure is trying to please everybody"
It was on one of his Drum Method videos
So true. I've seen Joe Play live and his solo and fills on "Take Five' are some of the best ever. Very tasteful, not just a lot of bashing.
The drummer owns the groove. Because, if something gets wacky, your the one who gets the shit.
HE'S SO RIGHT ! I HAD ENOUGH OF THOSE MUSICIANS BLAMING THE DRUMMER FOR EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME !!!!!!
Omg this is amazing advice. I love it.
Amazing story, you're a top drum master, great to hear you speak about a bad time
I know excactly how you felt. I was playing with a smooth jazz band called Dtsero out of Denver, Co. Original stuff for the most part. 2 brothers in the band and the same carp happened to me. One guy would saw lay back, 2 measures later his brother would say don't drag, the bass player says feels good. Drove me & everyother drummer who ever subbed on that crazy. I finally unloaded on one of the brothers & his brother says your an employee, Do what your told. I didn't play with those guys again for months until they had gone throught every drummer on the front range and needed a drummer who knew the book. I layed it down and ignored any direction. Eff it I told myself. I'm doing them a favour bailing them out. Good on ya . William
I respect Tommy for having the courage to tell it like it is. Not always politically correct but brutally honest. It's a mark of maturity and wisdom, and it's up to us to either take it or leave it.
I remember watching groove essentials a loooong time ago and thinking to myself how cool Tommy was/is. I immediately became drawn by his humorous style and the way he made me feel like I'm his little brother and he wants me to be as good if not better than him! This is why I love Tommy Igoe, and it's the reason why he is one of my major influences! Heck I even decided to play traditional grip because of his influence on me!
Thanks for your contributing to the drum wolrd Tommy!
-Henry
that was awesome
Cool of Tommy to be humble enough to share that and what he learned from it. What an inspirational player/person
I had a chance to sit in with a group of musicians at the Moore Conservatory just outside Philly - it was a bad experience for me, but I told the obnoxious bassist that we should change instruments for a while, of course I knew he would be lost behind the kit. I know how it feels - mean while unlike the jerk, I was making money and having fun freelancing and never begging for work. Tommy, your a great drummer today, and I follow you work. Thank you for sharing, it helps with closure.
superb advice
Tremendous.
Tommy's words always ooze of heart felt truth. He's a great artist because of his honesty.
Tommy Igoe is inspiring every time he talks about something. Tommy's awesome
Right on Tommy! How many guitarists does it take to change a light bulb?.....Ten - one to change the bulb and nine to tell him how they could have done it better!!
Its amazing, how the backbiting and ego's get in the way of music and how the musicians try to manipulate the younger players. So much for the trumpet player.....whats he doing now?
Brilliant !!
This guy is my fave drummer/educator, and this advice is so true as it kinda happened to me, or there about's, it was horrible, but it teaches you not to get in the same position again.
Oh man.... I've been there too.
In 1999 I played with a great guitarist that I later played with on 2006.
He asked me what happened, why I wasn't playing as good as I was before, even though I was playing and teaching more at that point!
I stiffened up a lot. Listening back, I had become so stiff....
Very low point for me.
so good
bravo.....tommy
Tommy Igoe was absolutely correct. I was in two different bands in NYC where 2 different guys tried to denigrate me and my playing because they had friends who were drummers whom they wanted to get into the band. I always found that the better the musician, the easier it was to play with them. I also think that some musicians have lousy time keeping ability. Nothing worse than playing with a bad bass player.
Funny how everybody who does these life changing moments for Vic Firth talks about their big break. But Tommy, and this is why I love this guy so much, was not afraid to spill his guts about a major fail that pushed him to a unique awareness of what never to do again. This is the type of thing that ruins careers before they ever start the vast majority of the time. The world is full of cats who are truck drivers and plumbers that had a golden opportunity blow up on them but a very few who took those experiences and turned them into positives that turned their careers around.
Great story! Been in the exact position with a corporate/wedding band. Bass player your rushing ,guitar player your dragging,singer total ass holeTook the air out of my sail. Now I play like I want to and do not take any bull shit .And work as much as I want.
Young, naive and insecurity crept in! They took advantage of you and they bloody knew it.
That's how we learn right the school of hard knocks!
Great advice for a young musician. Good thing they let you go..have you heard them lately? :/
Nice Hair
I’m starting to suspect Tommy Igoe uses bots to comment on any video he is in
At this point in time I would say Tommy is WAY too good for BS&T. Let them keep playing their fiddly little tunes, Tommy. You’re out of their league now.
Once you start doubting yourself, you might as well pack up and go home. You’re done!