I wanted to spew about something I have noticed throughout my performing and teacher career that most don't think about. It's musician karma and the generosity of percussionists and drummers. I have been the recipient of percussionist "luv" lately. And it's feels great!
LET ME JUST SAY PERCUSSIONIST GENEROSITY IS BIG....VERY BIG. And, yes, I am specifically pointing out drummers because I have also noticed that over the years, drummers have huge hearts and tend to pay it forward.
I was approached by fellow percussionist and mallet player extraordinaire Rob Lewis recently about some "things" he wanted to give me. I don't know why he chose me out of all the established teachers and performers out there, but he did. After chatting a bit (and inquiring if I had a larger truck or car), I met Rob near Reed College. There we chatted a bit more and he bequeathed, rather just gave me a ton of really amazing stuff: hand drums, small percussion, hardware, cases, and many many boxes of music and drum mags and literature, some dating back to the 70's. I was blown away and very thankful. I was actually concerned that maybe Rob had a fatal illness and wanted to gift this stuff to another percussionist. I was only 1/2 right....After hearing that Rob was indeed healthy and happy, he told me he had a "ZEN" moment and wanted to clear out some stuff from his studio. I looked him in the eye and smiled and said "You have waaay more stuff don't you?" We laughed and he explained to me that he wanted this stuff to have a life and he wanted it to be shared and moved on to other percussionists. He had no interest in selling it all on Craig's list (that would take more time and effort than he wanted to dedicate). I was just blown away at Rob's generosity. A stellar person in my midst.
So I filled my yellow Xterra to the top with all these amazing goodies. I was in drummer heaven and very thankful for his gift. I have been paying it forward and giving out mallets to Sellwood Middle School, a cymbal to a student who couldn't afford one to complete her kit, sticks to kids who didn't have them or had some about to break. I was even able to turn some hardware in and get some badly needed items for a drumline student of mine who had a parent pass away suddenly and unexpectedly. I even took a few items and made a auction basket with proceeds going towards the drum line program at Putnam. We operate on a very tight budget and are always looking for ways to raise money to help the program along. I have much more to distribute here and there.
I have told all my students:
"You guys/gals need to PAY IT FORWARD. Go out, and do something nice for someone RIGHT NOW: TODAY."
I hope Rob's generosity and my example will inspire the percussionists I teach to not only be a good musician, but a great PERSON. Be that drummer that everyone wants to work with. Have high integrity and pass along good 'karma' as much as possible. It just might come back to you.
I pay into the 'karma' pool, as much as possible. I search for scholarships/grants for my drum line students who are low-income or need some help to stay in lessons. I volunteer at schools by giving many pro bono clinics and master classes. I have been involved with the Oregon Big Beat for two years now, raising funds for Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation ($$ stays in Oregon and gets instruments into the schools). I have helped the Rock-n-Roll Camp for girls, I have donated lesson packages for auctions and other organizations that help under-served communities keep music and specifically drumming accessible to kids who would otherwise not be able to have the opportunity to learn from a pro.....and etc.
So does paying into the 'karma' system eventually pay you back? YES! I truly believe so. I have been getting a lot of attention lately, article in Tom Tom Magazine published this month, article in Clackamas Review in February on my studio, and my drum line also got a grant from Onpoint for $500 recently. So this blog is a shout out of THANKS. Thanks to Rob Lewis, Onpoint, Clackamas Cultural Arts Foundation, The RPHS Booster Club, , the Bald Faced Truth Foundation, to generous drummers out there everywhere, to my peers and instructors, and most of all to my students, drum/mallet/piano, who are my inspiration. Sounds corny, but it's true. So there. Go out and pay it forward people. It will come back to you. The more positive energy we put out, the better this world can truly be.
Till next time....
René