“Were you rushing or were you dragging?” This iconic line from the critically acclaimed movie Whiplash screams volumes about the relationship between an aspiring drummer and a demanding music instructor. The one thing that we must take out of the movie is to “Never Settle.” This is the magic of drums. With perseverance and sheer dedication, the road to the top is not as distant as it seems.

Be it any instrument that you wish to learn, it is important to start right. The movie also talks about the two words that are harmful to progress – “Good Job.” Therefore, when it comes to exploring the drums to find your beat, never be satisfied with what you know.

What Does it Feel Like to Groove?

“Groove is the heartbeat of music. It’s what makes you move.” This quote by the great Steve Jordan is bang on target. A groove is basically playing in sync with your heart beat. This is the magic of music. Every stroke goes along with your beating heart if you carefully observe. That’s how you feel the music.

Whether you are a musician or not, to groove is to get into an immersive experience where everything seems right. An experienced drummer is essentially the pulse of the band. When you play the drums, everybody grooves! Also, nothing can top the amazing feeling when you are behind the kit and look at people around jump to your beat!

Metronome is Your Friend (Indeed!)

Let’s start with a joke!

“Why did the metronome break up with the musician? It couldn’t handle the constant ticking in their relationship.” Especially for a beginner starting out to play the drums, the metronome can be a challenge to practise with. But just like a new friend, as you spend more time with it, playing the right groove would eventually become second nature to you!

Jokes apart – as annoying and robotic a metronome could turn out to be, it really does teach you how to stay on time and master the pitch-perfect beat. The legendary Ringo Starr from our favourite band – The Beatles, says, “You know, the metronome is like the quiet conductor in the background, helping to orchestrate the rhythm of the band. It’s the unsung hero of the studio.”

With the ever-reliable metronome by your side, you control the music and not the other way around. Try giving it a shot – it’s that friend you would not want to let go. Trust us.

Groove Like You Mean It

It goes without saying that learning anything new is a beautiful experience. From understanding the art form to getting better at yourself, without the desired attitude, you’ll find yourself lost in the journey. .

Another beautiful thing about grooving behind a drum kit is that you are basically in your own world. Nothing matters anymore – well, at least until you are 100% in your element.

Embrace the Flow State

Ever tried to do something new and found yourself entirely immersed in a blissful experience. Yes, that’s exactly what achieving the flow state is. In terms of locking the perfect groove, irrespective of the level of difficulty, when you achieve flawless rhythm, magic happens. It’s something like an artist with his best work on the canvas and completely lost in the process (in a very good way!). This can result in you getting into a state of “Loss of Self-Awareness,” and here’s the best part – become THE instrument!

That being said, it's better to experience it rather than talk about it. Now grab those drumsticks and start exploring.

Also, always remember, in music – YOU are the groove!