Guitar Center Drumoff 2008! are you going to enter?

[drdigital]

I'm entered in Columbus, in playing in the 1st of three rounds. This is my second year of trying this. Last year I met alot of good players, it was fun.
Plus just for entering I got a Drumoff T-Shirt
and a 15% off of anything card, that I can use 5 times.
That really came in handy when I bought my V-Drums!!!
The competition involves putting together a 3 minute solo piece.
You will be playing on a 5 piece acoustic kit.
I wish everyone the best of luck!

[Makomachine]

Very cool - Good luck, drdigital! I'm nowhere near ready for anything like that but they need to look out for me in 2010 competion! (hopefully)

Any chance we could get a 'demo' of your solo on vdrums?

[Alan VEX]

I don't (never have) get into competitions for some reason. I've never really viewed an importance of seeing myself better than the next guy. I think being a musician is about enjoying music and a talent. I think there should be competitions - without the "competition". (for a lack of words) I think it'd be cool just to have a giant show where everyone gets to play for everyone else - no ranking - just respecting other's levels of talent. But that's just me.

[drdigital]

Very cool - Good luck, drdigital! I'm nowhere near ready for anything like that but they need to look out for me in 2010 competion! (hopefully)

Any chance we could get a 'demo' of your solo on vdrums?

I'm still working on my routine at this time, I have till the 23rd.
But yes, I could do that.

[drumslinger50]

I can't enter the contest because they tapped me to be one of the judges. I couldn't keep up with teenagers if I wanted to, but I think the contest is a great way to inspire the students. I only have one student right now and she isn't ready for the competition, but she is counting the days until she can just go and watch. She is very excited about it.

[Michael Render]

I always enter. Mostly to get the discount card and to motivate myself to learn something new. I will never win against these fast metal kids and gospel drummers who compete around here, but I always offer up something different. This year I am combining Rock, Latin and Krupa influences. And some Chad Smith. If I can get it up to speed it should sound pretty good.

[drdigital]

I don't (never have) get into competitions for some reason. I've never really viewed an importance of seeing myself better than the next guy. I think being a musician is about enjoying music and a talent. I think there should be competitions - without the "competition". (for a lack of words) I think it'd be cool just to have a giant show where everyone gets to play for everyone else - no ranking - just respecting other's levels of talent. But that's just me.

If I thought that way, I would have never learned how to play music like
Spocks Beard, Yes, or any free form Jazz for that matter.
I push myself pretty hard, because I have to.
I was never aloud to slack in any band I've been involved in.
And there's always someone in the background, who's gunning for position.
It is a norm for me to play "The Great Nothing" by Spocks Beard
as an everyday practice. This song is almost 20 minutes long, and goes through a crazy array of signatures. At first I thought it was beyond my scope, but I have no problems playing it now. That is only because I really, really worked at it. Competition made me a better and more useful player in many regards. This doesn't make me feel like I'm better than someone else.
You either know and practice your instrument or you don't.

Please, I'm not intending to be sarcastic.
There are shows that everyone who plays, gets appreciated for their skill level. It's called Open Mic Night. That's where my dues began. It helped me alot! Especially regarding stage presence.
But again, this is what I do for a living, full time it's my job.

[Alan VEX]

Okay, I'll bite... what does entering "drum-off" competitions have to do with learning difficult and challenging music? I don't feel the need to "compete" with others; yet, I can still play many of the hardest tracks out there regardless. These are personal challenges I strive for - not to prove I'm better than anyone else.

BTW, I'm not being sarcastic either... I think maybe we're just missing each other's point.

[Billy_j]

Guys

I really would like to hear your solos... either the "live" thing during the contest or the "studio" version.

Good luck to all of you!

[gostviper]

I don't enter these competitions because I honestly don't learn anything from there. if I wanna learn hard stuff and master different time signatures, I put a dream theater track on my ipod and learn it all.
Octavarium anyone? yeah right, it's only 26 minutes long

[drdigital]

Okay, I'll bite... what does entering "drum-off" competitions have to do with learning difficult and challenging music?

I just can't believe this question came from a drummer.
I really hope my reply doesn't get me banned, because I love this forum.

But man you really don't seem to know very much
about how the music business works. it is uber-competitive.
If you don't know this already then...I'm very sorry.

I'm really done with this whole competition issue.
I guess we agree to disagree.

[drdigital]

I don't enter these competitions because I honestly don't learn anything from there. if I wanna learn hard stuff and master different time signatures, I put a dream theater track on my ipod and learn it all.
Octavarium anyone? yeah right, it's only 26 minutes long

I'll break out the JBL's!

[havyck]

I just can't believe this question came from a drummer.
I really hope my reply doesn't get me banned, because I love this forum.

But man you really don't seem to know very much
about how the music business works. it is uber-competitive.
If you don't know this already then...I'm very sorry.

I'm really done with this whole competition issue.
I guess we agree to disagree.

Hey I love Spock's Beard. The Great Nothing is a fabulous song. I wouldn't consider it "difficult." In my world, difficult is Sound Chaser by Yes or 2116 by Planet X. Maybe Kicker by Chick Corea Electric Band. I tend to agree with Amon online about competitions. They tend to be subjective and I don't put any stock in those types of things. Don't you have to travel around the states to be in the finals of the drum off?

[havyck]

I can't enter the contest because they tapped me to be one of the judges. I couldn't keep up with teenagers if I wanted to, but I think the contest is a great way to inspire the students. I only have one student right now and she isn't ready for the competition, but she is counting the days until she can just go and watch. She is very excited about it.

What do they look for in the drum off? I was never sure what the judges wanted.

[Alan VEX]

I just can't believe this question came from a drummer.
I really hope my reply doesn't get me banned, because I love this forum.

But man you really don't seem to know very much
about how the music business works. it is uber-competitive.
If you don't know this already then...I'm very sorry.

I'm really done with this whole competition issue.
I guess we agree to disagree.

So, are you saying that you can never learn anything challenging if it does not revolve around a competition?

BTW, I've been a "professional" for over 25 years. I won't go into the specifics, but trust me; I know quite a bit about how the business works. It has very little to do with this topic.

PS: I wouldn't ban you for having an opinion. We do not misuse our responsibilities that way. Healthy (and friendly) debates are not a bad thing and are welcomed.