I've realized through recording the podcast that I've predominantly been influenced by rock music of the late nineties and early two-thousands. There is no surprise then that The Strokes, and specifically drummer Fab Moretti had a big impact on the way I play my drums. 

I admire Fab's journey of music and drumming. He's only been in one band(although he's recorded with other artists since), the drive behind his success has stemmed from playing music with close friends. 

That's exactly what I was doing when I started learning songs by The Strokes. I would play along to albums like Is This It and Room on Fire from beginning to end, and on repeat. Eventually, me and my friends started a cover band and I had a chance to play these songs live in front of people.

At first, all of our shows were outside and for whatever reason, it was always cold outside. Combined with the nervousness and anticipation of playing for people, my hands would get cold frozen. There was no warm up, no pad exercise or hitting pillows. We were at a San Fernando house party and when it was time to play, we were as ready as we were going to be. 

Our band practiced alot and it was my first example of doing something consistency. Almost every day, my friends and I would meet up at a said time and hacked away at everything a musician has to deal with when trying to put together a set for a party. 

But back to Fab and his drumming. If you listen to his playing and you play along to his songs and especially the albums I mentioned. Fab is locked into the grooves and its because he's playing along to a click track and that's what helped me without even knowing it. 

so if you're like me, I was stubborn when learning to play with a click. You see, I had gone years and years without even knowing what a metronome was and It got to the point where everyone in the band wanted me to learn and play to a click. I went to the music store bought a metronome, eventually, a Simmons click machine and I practiced my ass off.

When I first learned to drum and I started playing songs, Fabs playing helped me out by having a style that is fun to play along to. He's not playing complicated stuff, its all fun and energetic. As I listen to the songs now there is a lot of stuff that can help an aspiring drummer. His style grooves so well with the bass player and as a drummer thats important. Being able to hold it down in the rhythm section is very important. 

Its all about having fun when learning something new. You have to be excited to come back and put in the effort. Drumming is only about having fun and playing along to Fab's drumming will help you lock into beats and control the dynamics of the song. 

This week I want to point out the importance of learning to play with a click but also being open to practice without the click and using music to play along to and internalize a good meter. The ability to groove and be locked in with time. There's always a different angle to attack this concept. There are players that get mathematically weird and practice some crazy stuff but for the sake of learning to play the drums and to just be a drummer that has fun playing. The Strokes and Fab Morettis playing can get you going and playing along to songs.