I met a young man at a clinic recently who told me that he had just purchased a $3,000 drumset, and he had only taken two lessons. I commented, “You sound like you are proud of the fact that you have only had two lessons. Why is that?” He replied, “Taking lessons makes you less creative.” I asked him, “How do you know that if you have only taken two lessons?” He re plied, “Taking other people’s ideas limits you.” I asked him if he practiced with records and he said yes. I asked him if he ever took beats and licks off records. He smiled and said, “Oh yes, all the time.” I said, “Those are other people’s ideas. What is the difference between taking them from a record and taking them from a qualified teacher?” He laughed and said, “Perhaps you have a point.” In fact, I do […]

April 1984 Issue