I am going to start numbering the main blog questions so we can all find them more easily, and add an additional date...just so we don't all get lost on here. Good job everyone and keep it up.
I am pondering a change in my own personal shows (again, as happens each year) and so here is your question of the day...actually conditional depending on which category you fit in...and sorry parents, this one doesn't really apply to you if you do not actually play drums in SR...but you can go ahead and take a stab at answering for your kids if you want.
If you were NOT a drummer before SR, how has becoming a drummer changed you?
If you WERE a drummer before SR, how has becoming an SR-style drummer changed you?
I don't want you to answer by reflecting on any of the usual things...don't think of the Steps of Success, the stories at shows, the friends you make at practice sites/show...the mission projects...none of the other wonderful things about SR.
This time I simply want to know...how has becoming a drummer in Sheltered Reality changed you...moreover, how has the drum itself changed you (as in the drum is a gift from God).
I think becoming a drummer made me more aware of what I am doing within music, and helped me with my college class rhythm work. I play multiple instruments, but they all brought about their own awareness. It made me appreciate our drummers at school a little more that they really are trying to stay with the rest of the band. It has also given me the chance to be a part of my youth group worship band that I have always wanted to participate in.
ReplyDeleteI had been an African drummer for 3 years before SR, but I think that african drumming is way different so I will answer as if I had not been a drummer!
ReplyDeleteDruming has helped with cordination.
first of all... dont use dark blue text on a black background! i have my face 2 inches from the screen tryin to read it lol.
ReplyDeletei was a drummer before joining SR for like maybe a year. with SR i was kinda nervous about playing in front of people. but as my skills got better... actually way better, i'm a lot more comfortable on stage now. when i started out i was the kid in back not smiling and staring at my drums. now i want to be front and center and smile at the crowd and sing along to "every time we touch"!
so to wrap it up, SR has turned me from the shy kid hiding behind the drums to the guy who is more outgoing not afraid to make the first move to meet new people or to try something new. i have become a much better person ever since i have joined SR.
I was like Ben! Always standing in the back not smiling.(read the other question of the day and read my story and you will know why)
ReplyDeleteBefore Sr I was never really one to dance in public or make myself look dumb in public plases but th e whole drumming part of SR has kind of started to teach me about some ways to loosten up and actuially try to dance in public and its has been working let me tell u (even though a lot of people don't call a bunch of handstands cartwheels and roundoffs dance moves) I still use them as dance moves anyway.
ReplyDeleteHey All, sorry about my choice of dark blue on black...I thought it would stand out better (but Ben, that is pretty close to your monitor...maybe you need your eyes checked too? HA!)
ReplyDeletemy eyes are perfectly fine and maybe next time use a bright blue? trust me on this one steve, im an artist! you thought Pablo Picasso was a good artist... what an amateur! i will go down in history steve... and no i dont have a big ego lol
ReplyDeleteI was like Ben also. I was really shy and didnt like to talk to people except my family and close friends. But as you can tell, I've changed a lot. lol. :) But I always wanted to play the drums. I played the guitar and keyboard and so I figured I could give it a shot and i love it. i never knew i was that coordinated. SR has made me more outgoing, more confident in my self. A person once told me, "I was like the person hinding in the back of the crowd in the corner. That never likes to talk and never wants to be seen" SR has changed me for sure.
ReplyDeleteI like the color. its like a neonish blue. Neon Green would be awesome lol ;)
ReplyDeleteI will work on these new colors :) Promise! And, Ben vs. Pablo Picasso...there is a concept!
ReplyDeleteI joined SR beginning of 8th grade and I was in percussion. There seemed to be a lack of emotion in the music and after I joined it kind of came alive. I not only loved to perform.. I loved to practice all the time! My middle school teacher and I are pretty close and he said I grew SO much that year. I gained more confidence, better tempo, rhythm, disipline, flexibility with style, and skills in public speaking. My drumming got 110% better. My teacher said not only did my drumming improve, but I looked happier.
ReplyDeleteAnd the style has stayed with me the last almost six years now.. I will never go back to being a non-smiling, motionless performer! There are no words to describe how much this has helped me.
ReplyDeleteI like the blue. I don't know why every one feels the need to add their two cents worth about this, but they do, so I feel that I need to also.
ReplyDeleteSo before SR, I was not a drummer. Looking back at how far I've come, I've noticed that something as simple as one drum lesson, and all that came from it, has given me a confidence in myself that I never had before. My drumming is really something I can take pride in. It's meant so much to me that I really can't find words to express myself (which is a little scary since I hope to be a fictional writer someday). Drumming has also made a happier person. :)
Ben I have horrible vision and had no problem reading from my normal distance...
ReplyDeleteI kind of like the blue.
ReplyDeleteSo... I wasn't a drummer before SR. (All the way back in October when I saw you guys!)
Before SR, I never ever EVER thought I would play drums. I thought I would end up as a pianist or a guitarist. My friends all thought the same thing. Drumming just didn't seem like the kind of thing I would do. We were all wrong. So I guess that being a drummer helped me find a new part of myself.
I'll have a better answer once I hang around longer, but oh well!
Also I noticed that I always tense my shoulders whenever I do anything. I noticed it when I was drumming because it was slowing me down. So now I can work on that.
why is everybody against me on this? lol c'mon people think about it... dark blue on black. its kinda like a light gray on white! im hopin for somebody to comment and say that i'm right on this! hahaha whatever
ReplyDeleteI wasn't a drummer before SR and I always wanted to drum but I never got around to it, and i didn't want to just do that boring beat in the school band.
ReplyDeleteSince SR, i don't feel awkward up on a stage (or just in front of an audience) like i used to.
I was not a drummer before SR, but I have played the piano since I was a kid. I think playing the drums has made me a better piano player.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on not being so self-conscious and loosening up while performing (yes, Jordan).
As an adult drummer, playing the drums gives me 'permission' to do something just for the fun of it (if for no other reason). So, I took that to heart and last year decided to do something else just for fun: learn to tap dance.
Wow everyone!!! Less not give Steve such a hard time.....But Steve try Neon/bright Green!! Its the best color!!!!
ReplyDeleteAmanda- You rock my socks. lol. ^_^ Neow green is AmAzInG!!!!! :D we got good choice in color ;) lol
ReplyDeletewell i first saw Sheltered reality perform at my church. When i joined the group i was just like Ben..i was afraid of playing because i had terrible rythm and hand eye coordination. but the drums have a way of calming me and putting me in a better mood,thay have really grown on me. they are my home away from home when (i know thats dorky but oh well its true :)) they also bring in new people all the time which means more friends and making the message spread even more :)
ReplyDeletei agree with Dee and Amanda. neon green is an amazing color. i have shoes that are neon green lol
ReplyDeleteColleen- Woot! i want thoes shoes lol. :D
ReplyDeleteColleen! I am glad you are finally here...I must tell you that the eenie-meenie-colleenie beat is going over REALLY REALLY WELL! I am proud of you for creating it with us!!
ReplyDeleteOk...I'm going to try a "itsy bitsy" comment first...and then I'll type more...because last weekend I typed for 15 minutes -and when I hit "post comment" - my literary work went into blog heaven...so let's see if this works - then we'll go for more...be back.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve... :) i havebt made it to practice since you guys were in but i have been practicing at home. i am so glad that we talked it made me feel way better. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, it worked!! Yippee!!
ReplyDeleteOk, so it wasn't really a "literary work" -but it was heart-felt. So I'll not try to repeat what vaporized the other day - but just let it flow from my fingers here this afternoon.
I'm part of a planning team for a UCC youth weekend event each November. Over two years ago the SR-Warren gang came to the event and played two sessions - and they were amazing.
Ok...let me back up. I have never officially played anything...well there was that stint with the bell choir...but no formal lessons. I'm the last of three children... need I say more. Anyway...I've always loved music and have always thought of myself as a "closet drummer".
Back to camp -and the event...so inbetween the two sessions - these innocent Warren drummers strike up a conversation with me - and before I know it -20 minutes have passed -and I've not only shared my "closet drummer" story -but I've also told them my name...bad, bad, idea...because as you know - they immediately went and told Steve my name and story -and guess who was up there drumming to "Everytime We Touch" during the second assembly? (I'll get you guys someday!! ha ha ha)
By the end of the shows, Jordan and I had talked, the fact that I lived in Toledo came up; he wondered if I could help them get to Toledo for some school shows or a concert...and fast forward - Oct. 2008 and SR Warren is in Toledo for school assemblies, a community concert and also a worship service. The biggest shock to me was when Steve announced through the PA system - that anyone interested in joining the new SR Toledo site -should see ME at the end of the show!! Huh? What? I don't drum...well, not outside of the protection of my closet, or car, or pew!!!
What a journey! Here we are, January 2010 and SR Toledo just celebrated their ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY. We have a great group of drummers who are dedicated to learning more and more as well as wanting to dig deeper into the meaning and mission of SR. We received a $5000 grant from UPS for a PA SYSTEM - and we just used our new equipment for the 3rd time last night at practice!! New beltpacks for everyone -what a difference. We're hearing lyrics, instruments and beats that we didn't know existed!! Rudi Montgomery is now part of the SR Board along with Tom Montgomery, our teacher-extraodinaire (and Rudi's husband) taking a new position with SR National.
God calls us to take our talents and use them - let them shine - not to hide them under a basket (or in a closet)...and though my drumming skills are in an infant stage...I know that "with God" my light that has AAA batteries right now - will be illuminated to D cell when I keep God as the focus...and from there - only God knows...because with the "SON-LIGHT" - I might just be going SOLAR, baby!!
What a cool story!
ReplyDeleteShelly- you would say that your are going to get us warren people back...but here we are over a year later and nothing...lol...so what has everyone been up to? and i loved your version of the story it really expresses how much sr can do to a person ( or a group of people for that matter) :)
ReplyDeleteShelly- you make me laugh! i remember that day like it happend yesterday!!! Love that day. man we were soooo excited that you told us your name! LoL! i was like yess! She told us! LoL. The innocent Warren drummers!! lol and shelly you probably will get us back! I have a feeling.
ReplyDeleteShelly I know what you mean about the PA! Top of Iowa just got ours to and anyone who hadn't come from another site heard what they were actually playing to for the first time. It's amazing!
ReplyDeleteKelli-it really makes a difference with the PA system doesnt it :)
ReplyDeleteI started playing drums waaaaaaay back in HS, then for years was a table top, foot tapping drummer before starting back up with a community band about 15 yrs ago. Rediscovering my love of performing music, it became an ever increasing hobby (side career). But when I saw SR (Warren) perform, I knew I wanted to be a part of this. So, to the question, how has it changed me? First, it has improved my skills as a drummer. This is not easy stuff we are doing, guys! Even for an experienced drummer. You are right to be very proud when you get these songs down. Our style is very different and the synchronization does not let you take the easy way out. And, thinking back, I was asked a few years ago to coach a HS drum line, and backed out, thinking I wasn't a good enough teacher. I have much more confidence now seeing from the pros how it is done. If you break it down into bite size pieces (and with God's help) anything is possible. Plus, when your site is filled with drummers with so much raw talent, it is easy. So, in summary, I am a more positive, more confident person as a result of my SR experience. I look forward to seeing the "me" I will be after TWO years.
ReplyDeleteBecoming a drummer has changed me is many ways. I have been a clarinet player for 3 years now and SR had helped me as a clarinet player with time and beats. The biggest way SR has changed me is being able to have fun in front of people. Before I joined SR I was never comfortable in front of a lot of people, especially people I didn't know. I was always scared of being silly or exspressing my real self. Being in SR has now many me a lot more comfortable in front of people. I am not afraid to be silly or myslef in front of people I don't know.
ReplyDeleteChristina- I play the clarinet 2!!! Well i used to i played for 4 years then stopped and I miss it sooo much. >_< but I agree with you all the wayy! I alwayed wanted to be me but i was afraid of peoples judgement, but know Im like HI!!! lol. It feels great to be me. Not that I wasnt being me before, but now I more goofy I guess. :)
ReplyDeleteDee - Ya I love playing the clarinet. It is so fun. I have been 1st chair fo all 3 years and I have had the opportunity toplay at district and in8th grade and go to contest. I am also taking another solo this year and I am so excited!! And ya I know what you mean. I was alwasgoffy in front of peple just usually people I knew of kind of knew. But now I am alway lik HI to everyone!
ReplyDeleteChristina-I was first chair too! I was 1st chair in I tihnk 7th and 8th! I love it soo much. I think I might join back with band again. I miss ir so much! I didnt think I would but man when you go to a football game and you see everyone marching out I always think man... I could be out there. >_< but I still have fun
ReplyDeletewell well well! so THIS is the infamous post steve was talking about :P
ReplyDeleteand since how everyone seems so interested in the color, that's not really a "dark" blue....
:P
and i like it. :D you should try..........yellow! :D :D :D
hrm.
back to the question....
well i can't say i was ever really SHY (lol....is that any shock?) but i would have told you that there was no way in hell (pardon my francais) that i would get up and do those STUPID (yes.........stupid. they are fun, but i think even STEVE would agree some of them are stupid ;) dance moves.
but after being in it, i am glad! heck, i even did a school show my freshman year at my middle school :P
and SR just..........makes me HAPPY!
the other day at a S&J practice, i was in a HORRIBLE mood. HORRIBLE. but once i got there, i started to lighten up, and by the end of the practice i was al smiles (and sweat!)
SR is an amazing thing, and i am so glad i can call myself a part of it :)