Be the Sand
Drummers are uniquely qualified to be the connecting force that unites the collection of personalities and talent that come together in the form of a band.
In season 4 of The Bear, in a moment of reflection the character of Richie (played by the brilliant actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach) says, “maybe I’m the sand.” Referring to a picture of a Zen garden showing singular rocks surrounded by sand, he previously had explained the rocks are metaphors for people disconnected and isolated from one another, “standing” alone in the sand. However in this particular moment of insight, Richie wonders if he is instead not a rock sitting upon the sand but the very sand upon which the rocks sit.
Perhaps his mission in life is to be the support, the foundation, the very real and grounding presence that leads to creating harmony and community in an environment where connection seems unlikely, if not impossible.
In a similar way to the character of Richie, drummers can also be the “sand.”
Because it bears repeating, I’ll say it again: Drummers are uniquely qualified to be the connecting force that unites the collection of personalities and talent that come together in the form of a band.
Rhythm is the glue that allows for pitched notes to create meaning and fully connect with another person, audience, or community at large.
Though musical notes alone (played or sung singularly as a melody or together as in a chord) are important and necessary for a song or performance to take place (or for that matter, even exist), it’s rhythm that allows for those notes to exist together and make sense as a song.
It’s true that a good drummer is not only a timekeeper, but the foundation of any successful band. To that statement I would more importantly add:
A good drummer creates and perpetuates the very ground upon which the popular songs we listen to and enjoy “sit.”
Yes I agree it’s important to develop our skills and abilities as best we can, and there is more than enough room for us to be “stars” in our own right. However if we are not also learning how to encourage, support and guide our fellow musicians in the variety of ways that lead to excellence, we are doing a disservice not only to the songs we play but to the very people we wish to hear our songs.
Learning to lead by becoming the “sand” is the result of the willingness to let go of our egoic need to be the center of attention. In doing so, a good drummer finds joy in their ability to transcend and include the (seemingly) disconnected “rocks” they support.