I'm a very good fan of yours, and I want to ask you some questions, because I want to be like you, a professional drummer, How old were you when you began playing drums? What type of exam did you passed to become a professional drummer? That's all.

Dear Francoise,

Thank you for your e-mail and thank you for being a fan. I started to play drums around age 12. Before that I played some percussion for fun, not with career in mind. However, once I decided I wanted to play drums, before I actually sat on a drumset I studied on a Billy Gladstone black rubber pad, with a pair of sticks, & the Buddy Rich/Henry Adler book of rudiments & reading (can't remember the title of the book) for a few months. I studied with my father first , then with a teacher. The purpose of this was to concentrate on developing good technique, good foundation, before you go into the drumset.

In many countries to be a professional musician, or to belong to a Union, you have to either pass a test or have years of piano, or have a College Diploma. In the U.S there is not such a test. There is not such a prerequisite. What makes you a "Professional "is when you are "making a living" working as a musician. Some musicians are not even in the Professional Union! It is different everywhere. I must say, passing a test, being in a Union, or having Diplomas can help you, but not necessarily guarantee work, or great musicianship.

I hope this helps you,

Regards, Walfredo Reyes, Jr.

05/01

Scott Torre writes:

Dear Mr. Reyes,

I was fortunate enough to recently see you play with Steve Winwood at the Bumbershoot festival in Seattle, Washington. Your drum style was absolutely incredible to watch. I have always had the desire to play the drums. I am 43 years old and this last Christmas received a drum kit from my wife. I have been taking lessons once a week and cannot get enough of my drums. I really have a serious passion to not only learn but maximize whatever potential I might have. I don't miss a day of practice however at 43 I know I am getting a late start. My drum instructor has told me I will eventually develop a style. I can't think of a more feel good, sound good beat than what you play! Can you give me a tip on not only how to develop my drumming ability but how to develop the style of drumming that you create.

Thanks,
Scott Torre

Dear Scott,

First of all, I am very honored that you wrote me such a complimentary e-mail. I remember that show very well cause Michael Shrieves & Mike Carabello, from the original Santana Band (both were a huge influence on me), were in the wings & I was trying to play the best show I could.

Scott, it is never too late for drumming. If you want to do it & you have the passion & the love for it, do it! It is said that the great Elvin Jones started playing later on in his years! Time, that is the key word. How do you use your time to practice. If one drummer practices one hour a day, & another drummer practices four hours a day, at the end of the year the second drummer would have practiced 1,015 hours more than the first. Now, practice can be tecnique (rudiments, independence, coordination on the set, reading & interpreting charts), & it can be listening (emulating drummers that you like, playing to records, form & analysis of songs, etc.). It is great you have a teacher.

My style, I guess, it's very chameleon like cause my ultimate goal in drumming is to make whatever music I am playing sound & feel as best as posible. I achieve this with the sounds of the drums (different setups, tuning, etc.) & the vocabulary I use on the drumset. Sometimes simple & invisible, sometimes complex & rythmically intricate, sometimes more percussive, sometimes more traditional, but it all depends what the Artists, the composer, & the music is asking for.

Steve Winwood is one of the most complete musicians I have ever worked for & he loves blues, R&B, Latin music, World Music & many other styles so it fits me perfectly cause I do too. Also, his band is a great band to play with cause the musical & verbal comunication is fantastic & it creates an atmosphere where you can be yourself musically, & that is great so I am lucky & blessed to have played with these musicians.

I hope I was helpful in someway. Keep playing & remember to have patience with yourself.

Peace, Love & Health to you,
Walfredo Reyes, Jr.

05/01