When I retired as a school principal I want to keep my mind working. Always wanted to learn drums so am 4 years into this journey and am loving every minute!

I’m a full time college student and also a barista at a coffee shop. I’m only 18 and fighting severe back problems and having multiple surgeries. Having my back surgery has stripped everything I love and held on to in my life from me but being able to still play drums is what keeps me going. Definitely picking up the sticks every day is what has saved me.

Thanks for recognizing us old guy and hobby player- the desire to improve is still there but better than that is the daily discipline and meditative aspects as well. Your lessons have been very inspirational through Covid and beyond - thanks!

Thanks for all of your respect Q. Much appreciated brother. I played in bands for many years traveling around doing gigs but now at almost 75 years young, I most enjoy teaching, playing an occasional gig and practicing and improving my craft at home. I am forever a student of the instrument ! :) On top of that I am still working 5 days a week at my job. Blessings and Merry Christmas.

Playing drums and watching this guy brings me a lot of joy. I am the father of a special needs/handicapped child who I devote 95% of my life to - the rest of my time is devoted to drums. I have a band which I dig but really I forget all my problems just improvising over an ostinato and getting into that space. Pure meditation! I set myself a goal of being able to improvise and its slowly coming together. This guy is gold. Not only is he a badass drummer but he has a heart of gold

"They're not there to judge you". Excellent!!! You truly spoke to me, Q. I am 68 and been playing since I was 9, including middle, high school and university bands. My "here and there" gigs are usually Blues or Classic Rock jobs. Rarely a Jazz gig, but love it when one comes along. I try to not think of the truly wonderful Jazz drummers who may be rolling their eyes, and enjoy my playing experience. (I still work from home as a voiceover actor).

great video! it reminded me of two things that help me relax when playing 1: Gratitude - it's a beautiful thing and also very human to be able to express oneself creatively/artistically, gratitude for the music, the people, the instrument its all amazing... 2: I had a pianist friend approach Herbie backstage after a gig seeking some advice about playing. Herb told him not to focus on his instrument but to focus on his life. great work as always Q - much love

Dear Quincy! I appreciate all your lessons and every tip you shared and unselfishly gave us. I teach classical percussion in music school but my biggest passion is jazz music 😊 Sometimes I also teach jazz drums to my students and have to say that you are a true inspiration. I'm glad that I can share the things that I learn from you. If you start the coaching group, I would realy like to be in it. Sometimes(like now) I feel stuck and knowing there are so many things to work on to improve, I don't know where to start and which things I should be focused on. Thank you once again! 🤗

Love your comments about letting go of the voices & having fun, Q. I play for hobby, grinding a “9 to 5” as you know. Drums bring me joy - like a lot of joy - both musically & intellectually. I figure if I shed everyday, & listen to the music, I’ll arrive somewhere nice and have a lot of fun along the way. It’s incredible to find a community that shares that feeling, too; so I’m definitely interested in coaching/ lessons/ workshops. You the man, Q 👊 ❤️ 🥁 🙏

So, I had this great day today, and it started with your Philly Joe Jones video--the 4 solos one. PJJ is in my top five jazz drummers of all time, in no particular order, PJJ, Buddy, Elvin, Tony W, Blakey. I tried some of the exercises. Some of them I have been doing naturally for decades and didn't know it. And this transformed my day. I took all muffling of my Gretsch, and the house shook, and the neighbors cried, but i had the best day practicing in a long time. Thank you for the inspiration. Been playing 53 years--am 65. Played professionally, just a hobby now. Would be interested in collaboration. Thank you for what you do!

Thank you, Quincy, for the shutout to us "hobby" drummers. I'm 63 years old, have been playing the drum set for most of my life, and I find your videos to be fabulous. I'd certainly be interested in the possibility of on-line courses with you, small group, whatever. Thanks again and cheers.

Quincy❤ you are such an inspiration man! I use your play along all the time ; You are so real man and it's such a pleasure when there is so much BS out there

I started playing in 1971, and drumming was my passion from almost the very beginning. I spent most of my college years playing classical marimba, but returned my focus to drumming when I enlisted in the Army Band in 1984. After I left the Army in 1991, music took a back seat to my need for a regular income, although I still considered myself a drummer. I never got rid of the bulk of my musical equipment, so when I eventually bought a house in 2011, the drums came out of storage and I started practicing again. Eventually, I got a coach to help me get my chops back. When Covid hit, I decided to retire early, and not long after that, the local music school where I had been studying with my coach, contacted me & offered me his job. Now I teach drum lessons in my spare time, and take the occasional gig. My students keep me on my toes, as I try to ignite the spark that will engage their passion. My philosophy is to learn something new, or improve my playing, every day. I strive for excellence, and always try to remember that music is about emotion. It's never just notes on a page. I really enjoy all of your videos, as you remind me a lot of my college percussion teacher & mentor, Ron Keezer. You seem to have the same kind of joy, humor, and wisdom as he had. Keep up the awesome work!

I'm a working lawyer and hobby drummer. Also hobby singer, hobby arranger and hobby sound engineer. I play with friends on Friday nights or Sunday afternoons just for fun. I'll play anything but I like jazz and funk the most.

Thanks for being there my brother from another mother. I'm tuneing my jazz playing you have helped me with your realization. Thanks again.

Been playing since 1971. I’m now 63. Retired in 2016. During my working life, still played drums off and on till 2002. Sold the drums, no longer played. Picked sticks again in 2018. Became super passionate about drumming again. Bought a new set. Restarted lessons with a real pro. Started playing at my church. Loved it! Never have made a dime on this very expensive instrument.

Always great advice,thank you Quincy!

Hobbyist here. And a septuagenarian who has always (on and off) played drums starting with marching band in grade school. Yes, those were the days of the big wooden snare drums where you had to play traditional grip, period. The instrument calls you, you don't call it.

Thank you always for your words of truth, Amen

Hi Quincy, I retired in 2018, always wanted to play the drums (drum rolls always fascinated me from an early age) but knew I was never going to be good enough to be listened too or play with any one else, so just for fun and to improve over time with luck, same with tennis, always wanted play, never had the time, I worked as a railway signalman (I think they are called railroad dispatchers in the States) for over 35 years shift work so never enough time for hobbies which I have many including N gauge model railways and water colour painting, but I will have to say that retiring has only proved to that I have no idea how I had time to go to work! Ta very much for thinking of us ageing folk!

Hi Quincy. I'm a hobbyist. I've been playing for years from church teams to both jazz and classic rock. I play now with two bands one jazz the other progressive punk rock. I have a full-time job as a Project Manager for a large company. I love playing for folks and hope to do this as long as possible. Thanks for your encouragement and the content on your channel.

Good stuff Q! Took a lesson with you (as hobby drummer) and had a blast!

Huge inspiration to me as a young african american man coming up in the jazz drumming world. Please keep uploading Proffessor Davis. Ima come find u when I'm ready to go to berklee one day lol🤙🏾

I appreciate the content you give us hobbyists. I grew up playing saxophone and am now trying to learn piano/bass/drums as a hobby. It’s hard to commit to formal lessons with limited time to commit on a regular basis. But your pro-level practice tips give me more than enough to work on, even if it’s just feathering and a practice pad after the kids in bed 😅

Thanks Q for the last "life philosophy" vids. True and good stuff.

After 50 years of playing,i am more passionate than ever.

I met a woman who likes to dance, mostly country swing and two step. Have been hearing and dancing to a lot of live music. Part of me thinks it would be cool to be playing gigs, then I think about playing the same set list over and over, also carrying drums, setting up and tearing down. I'm happy playing drums as a hobby. Thanks for your efforts!

I'm a hobbyist, and I'd love to have a virtual group that meets to work on jazz drumming. sounds like a dream.

Alright Quincy love your attitude

Do drumming full time but still love it & play with passion all the time. Love drumming & music 🎶🔥 🥁

Hi Quincy! Thanks again. Love your channel and how you gave to us precise words and shortcuts.

Yep, I'm a hobbyist. I have been since I was 13, and now I'm 65. I should be WAY better then I am right now, but I'm not really a beginner either. I recently got an acoustic set, and I have been getting better, but I don't put much pressure on myself...it is what it is. I really love the drums, but at the same time, I simply do not put the effort into the hobby to advance my skills at a very fast rate. Love your videos, and I like the jazz you can play...a lot!

You're great drummer and such a Smart guy ! Thnaks for your job

Thank you for these kind words and clarity. Played some good gigs in my teens and 20's. Later in my 60s. Now, my late 70s, retired, I take lessons to keep it going. Sadly, has become extremely hard to find other musical hobbyists to play some jazz or blues.

Hello precious spirit, Quincy! Long time subscriber here. Grateful for your channel of course!❤ In agreement with what you're saying about professionals versus hobbyists, the linguistic root of the word "amateur" means "For the love of..." Isn't that cool? And you are right, I think all of us can benefit from coming from hobbyist mind or beginners mind. Professional artists can get easily jaded and forget what they're doing it for. ( I think I got this concept of "amateur" if I remember correctly from the philosopher Ortega y Gassett? ) Peace and love to you Quincy - you're a remarkable human being. Thank you for sharing all these years.❤👏👏👏🙏🏼

Thanks for all the inclusiveness and encouragement as ever Quincy. Cool to hear about your hobbies too! I would definitely be interested in the coaching group. 🥁 👍🏼

All the old Kung-Fu movies have the white-haired, long-bearded unstoppable master. Seriously, though, I have always loved music. I got wrapped up in my "back-up plan" for various reasons. It's a blessing to experience life through music, and drumming is so special due to the full body involvement, physical interface with gravity and reactions, and the math and time. Through one thing know all things.

Once I woke up and realized I wasn't going to be a rock star drummer and was just going to be a part time drummer with a day job all the pressure was gone knowing I wouldn't need it to pay the bills. My drumming got more free and easy. Played in a rock band during the week and a dance/funk wedding band on weekends. Made a decent supplemental income.

I retired two years ago and recently purchased some Latin Percussion. I love your content and even purchased some of your play along tracks. Thanks for all that you do! Cheers and Merry Christmas! 🎄🍻🥁

👍Nice one Quincy🙏

Hey Quincy. Yeah I’d be interested in a group you start. I’m 55 w a “real” job. Drummed in rock bands as a young man and always had a set around. I’ve had an ear for jazz even as a kid. Since my son started to play and I could afford better gear my playing time has increased quite a bit. I’m years into playing daily. Thanks for what you do.

Yeah man. I am interested. I went to school for drums and probably had no business being there at the time 😅 Covid put a damper on pursuing music as a career and now i am working a day job and playing drums for the love of the craft. i would love to be better, have more fun in my bands and have a small community around shedding. i grew so fast in school because of the support and the group of good drummers around me and now living in my hometown making dentures i dont have that anymore.

❤

Indeed, playing drums is my hobby since age 16. I'm 59 years old now, more focussing on the saxophone recently but I will always be a drummer as well.

I appreciate this kind of video and your words. I consider myself as a hobby drummer like you said. In France we only do the difference between "pro" and "amateur" musicians (does he/she do that for a living), but when you say that people considers that you are criticing the technical level of an amateur player (which is totally a non sense, I know a lot of amateur musicians better than pro) The word "hobby" isn't pejorative and it means that you like what you're doing ! (whether you are be pay for this or not). There are a lot of people doing sport, running 10 kilometers every day, as a hobby. For me it's as impressive and inspiring than pro sport...

My first gig was in 1971

Fun fact, my first instrument was the drums and I started playing them when I was two years old in Church. For some reason or another, I stopped playing when I got to the fifth grade to pick up the bass and then in the sixth grade, I picked up the Saxophone and the drums became more of the hobby and just the thing I knew to do on a basic level. And now I get the higher, the professionals to play drums for me lol.

Jokes on you I’m still stuck in the hobby drummer phase lmao. I already started jamming with my colleagues for fun, now im waiting for the opportunity to gig in front of people for fun.

Indeed😊

I'm 35 and just getting into drumming as I finally have the time, space and room to play it whenever I want :). I would like to see a video on how you would learn or teach the drums today from scratch. We all know face to face is best until you have good foundations, but besides that what would you do to say roadmap the first three years if you were to learn drums today? I play guitar and this is rarely talked about because once you get the ah-huh moment your progress skyrockets in many directions pretty fast, at least for me and many others. This can take months to years. I wonder if drums is the same? As for the topic on this video. I live my life where if I don't smile doing something I do something else and come back to it later. I have lived a life chasing money through hobbies and every time it has ruined that hobby. I will never get into the music business because of that, even if people really wanted to listen to my music I won't go further then small clubs, events and jams. I play and perform for music lovers, not for money or fame. I should also note that I kinda live like a hippy in a van lol. Not the best life, but its the best life for me, living more and working less. I made room so I can carry a small kit with ease and pull it out anywhere from the forests, open beaches or just a friends house jamming (playing in the woods surrounded by green and wildlife is amazing with guitar and drums, I recommend everyone try it at least once in their life). So far I've been progressing pretty fast and having a lot of fun, mainly trying to improvise and learn new things by myself, playing to my own songs and trying my best to transcribe and play along to some of my favourite songs. I start lessons in Jan for 2 months but for only playing for a month I have picked it up pretty fast. I guess tapping my hands and feet my whole life really pays off. I've always known I'm a drummer but never had anywhere to play it, I'm grateful I'm able to play now and how fast I'm picking it up. I feel like a kid and I can't get enough of it :)

Hi Quincy, I am definitely interested in your coaching idea for 2024. Best wishes, David.

I honestly don't know which category I fall into. I practice almost daily, play gigs twice a month with my band, and church every week for the Lord. I guess that makes me a "Glorified" hobbyist hehe

I am a hybrid....long in music as a career: teacher at HS and collegiate level, long in the music industry. Now retired from"work" playing more than ever. Rarely for $$$ tho. Fortunate that job paid me enough that I could play as I wanted....not as I needed. Could you talk about your sticks? Nylon tip? Rare for a jazz player.

Hey Q, Can you tell us a little about your sticks. How long are they? What diameter they are? What wood are they made of? The cost? How to purchase a pair? Thanks!

Yes! Would love to in the coaching group, where do I sign up?

One other thing unique to the drums is you're kind of at the mercy of other musicians. If you play guitar or piano you can go out as a solo act. Fancy restaurants or piano bars, etc and make good money. Nobody out on a date at a beautiful restaurant is gonna want to hear 4 hours of drum solos😂. Great topic! I can go on and on.

Interested 💯👍🏾 - 27 y/o working professional. Play drums on the side

After 20 years as a semi pro,i am now a full time amateur 😅 .

Quincy didn’t respond to my email therefore I’m gonna have to take his blue bulb

What's the difference between a PIZZA and a DRUMMER? ... A pizza can feed a family of four. ba-dum-BUMP!

❤