What inspired you to start playing drums?
He inspired me to play drums when my parents took me to fashion shows and concerts Holiday high school. The sound, energy and feel of the battery immediately captured my interest. I started soon after, when my parents was given a toy drum set for Christmas at age 3.

What were your main goals as a child learning his craft?
Since I started at an early age, was just playing for fun and enjoyment of the instrument. As I grew older I began to realize that this was something that I could do as a career. At that time I had a great drum teacher named Michael Lawson, who showed me the importance of reading, the basics and all styles in the battery.

How not to approach his own development?
I started playing along to records with headphones. This would be done most every afternoon after school. During this time developing my main focus was to simulate something I heard on the radio or records of my favorite bands and drums.

Do you still set goals for you today?
I set goals all the time, but monitoring is through the hardest part. Set goals that are attainable is a good exercise for me. I put the short term and long-term practice and career goals. Some objectives were achieved and, of course, many have not yet been reached. While I focus on the goal, over time I will be closer and we hope to reach the target.

How How maintain motivation?
I realized that the drums and music are a part of my life without end. I also have no idea what new career opportunities could happen around the corner.

How do handle the nerves?
If I'm nervous about the public or performance, I say to myself same I'm human like everyone else and if I make a mistake is not the end of the world. When I get nervous or worry, I play worse. Therefore, I realize I can be myself and my best effort, which usually leads to good results. I'm making nervous, so I closed all and have fun.

How do you prepare mentally for a great performance?
Practice to a point where I have my songs, ideas or just together. Then just relax and enjoy the moment of performance. I think the me destroy my own actions makes no sense. I also do not care if the public does not like. It all depends on the individual opinions that make up an audience. I continue to have any negative comment in a personal way.

Have you got any tools in the years that have really helped better performance?
I think the biggest tool I've collected or learned is to not over analyze the performance of myself. If I'm thinking too much, then my approach going to be away from the task at hand.

About The Author

Chris Peacock began playing drums at the age of 12. He received a scholarship to Berklee College Of Music and studied at LA Music Academy under the guidance of Ralph Humphrey and Joe Porcaro. He has performed in the UK, US and Japan.

His book, The Psychology Of Drumming features interviews with 20 drumming legends including Jojo Mayer, Steve Smith and Kenny Aronoff. You can download a free copy of the ebook by clicking here.

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