Aaron has developed his drum skills remarkably in YAMAHA music class and finally have his own band. We approached for his daily life that had begun to walk the one step of the dream through music. What is his drum life like?
-You have chosen the drums out of all musical instruments. Please share with us your love towards the drums.
Sure! I like the sound it makes as it creates certain moods or feelings according to its tone, rhythm, pattern and tempo. It makes you move to it. I especially like the thunderous sound of the 1988 remix of Phil Collins’ song “In The Air Tonight”.
-Any new discovery after learning to play the drums?
I began to think a lot about drums. Without drums, music would not have the same great effect on people, there would be no drummers nor drum teachers. Certainly music would not be the same. And it won’t have attracted someone like myself to take up drums.
Thanks to YAMAHA Music School, I’m now able to play the drums. Moreover, I’ve my own band now and my music world and circle of friends have expanded! Isn’t that just awesome? This is why music’s so sweet and so fascinating! Since my first lesson at YAMAHA, I’ve made a promise to myself that I’m gonna be a real kick-ass drummer in the near future.
— Where and when did you get the inspiration?
I grew up surrounded by music. Listening to and sharing music with family and friends, brothers and sister inspired me. Oh yeah, wasn’t bringing walkmans along a trend during high school days?
At home, music means leisure and sometimes used as distractions. But it wasn’t about three years ago that I’d a strong desire or interest in taking up music. Bet you’re surprised that I just started recently. And you know what? I’m now playing in a band!
-Did you make new friends through learning the drums?
Of course. I’ve a couple of friends learning drums as well and I’ve to admit that some of them play better than I do. I’d love to improve my skills and obviously there’re still so many things I’d like to learn.
-Any other musical instruments you would like to learn other than drums?
Violin, guitar and piano. I’ve to say, the teachers at YAMAHA Music School just rock! To be honest, I’m so glad that I’ve chosen this class. It’s really amazing that everyone is music professional yet at the same time, knows how to make complicated concepts easy to understand. They are all so patient that we can enjoy music truly and freely. I also think the trust between student and teacher is fascinating. Of course, some parts are really hard to master during lessons, not to mention each and everyone of us improves at a different speed. But isn’t that exciting to notice even the slightest improvements and changes within oneself?
-Sounds fun! So do you go to live performances?
Wow, didn’t see that coming! Well yes, I’ve been to some famous outdoor performances, one of them was Eskimo Joe. I’ve also been to many church performances but have never been to pubs or bars.
-What is the “Aaron Way” of practicing drums? Any tips?
A practice pad, starting with the paradiddles, drum rudiments and drum fills. Sometimes I’ll listen to a particular song then try to play it. I’ll also practice the rhythm patterns by focusing on the tempo and later combining the fills. And focus on hands and wrist action, too.
Well, just have the desire to play! Depends on how bad you want it!
※Drum fills
A break in the beat to give colour to the music. Usually to indicate to the other band members that a change is coming in the music.
-So, any song you would like to learn to play? Why?
I’d like to learn to play Phil Collins’ “Easy Lover” because it’s a rock/pop music. It has lots of drum fills that sound really good and it’s a funky song. No personal relation to the title though!
-If you were given the chance to release a CD of your own, what title will you give to it?
If I had a chance to release a CD of my own, I’d title it as “Riding With God” because I started writing a song about me riding my motorbike along the beach road when I first joined YAMAHA Music School. It’d be an important song about the things I learnt from YAMAHA, as well as the start of me as a drummer.
-YAMAHA should sponsor you when that happens then? (laughs)
Yeah, please! I’ll be glad. (laughs)
-Last but not the least, could you please select one song for our viewers?
I’d pick “Easy Lover” by Phil Collins.
■Related Articles:
* Yamaha Group Keyboard Classes – Adults
*Yamaha Music Teacher Interview Relay
– Vol.1 Monika’s Music Career: “I want to be part of children’s first experience of music”
– Vol.3 Hui’s Music Career: “the important aspect for the kids is to listen with a purpose”
– Vol.4 Brian’s Music Career. “the challenge of the drums”
YAMAHA music education centre Carnegie
URL: http://www.yamahamusicschool.com.au/
Level 2, Carnegie Central, Corner Koornang Road and Princes Highway,C
arnegie VIC 3163
TEL: 1300 139 506
Melways Ref: 68 J3
