Drummer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a drummer. Feel free to use our drummer job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a drummer.
Who is a Drummer?
A drummer is a musician who specializes in drumming. This percussion instrument is typically made up of a bass drum, a ride cymbal, a crash cymbal, tom-toms, and hi-hats. Drummers are critical members of any band because they are responsible for the song’s rhythm. Thus, they serve as the “timekeeper” of the song, providing the beat and timing for the other band members to follow. Drummers who lack a strong sense of timing will struggle to motivate the rest of the band to perform at their best.
Maintaining the song’s tempo is just one of the responsibilities of a drummer who plays in a band. Additionally, they may be required to enhance the song during live performances. This entails emphasizing the rhythms created by the various instruments or the singer’s vocal prowess to bring the song to life. This requires more than drumming proficiency. Additionally, it requires quick reflexes and mental presence to pull off these additional stunts without losing track of the required rhythm. Drummers who are well-known for their prowess are capable of motivating the band’s other members to perform.
Drummers who are also members of a band may be required to rehearse regularly to prepare for their performances and gigs. Additionally, they may be required to travel to various locations to play. The very few bands that achieve superstardom frequently perform internationally as part of world tours. Apart from live performances, they also record songs in the studio, sign autographs, meet with fans, as well as appear as guests on various television shows. Additionally, they create music videos to promote their songs and collaborate to write their songs if they do not have access to a songwriter.
While drummers are most commonly associated with being members of bands, the reality is that very few drummers play in bands. Others carry out their duties in other contexts. Session drummers are musicians who work as session musicians. These drummers spend the majority of their time in music studios, providing the rhythm and tempo for singers’ recordings. They rarely perform live.
Additionally, some drummers use their knowledge of the instrument to teach others how to play. Those who work full-time in music schools and conservatories at colleges and universities are considered full-time teachers. They teach regular classes and are also required to perform other teacher-related duties. These duties include developing lesson plans, evaluating students, organizing recitals, and assisting the music department with other school functions. Some drummers who work as teachers may choose to teach students privately in their homes. When they do so, they are typically compensated on an hourly basis. More well-known drummers can earn upwards of $40 per hour. Drummers can also combine performance and teaching.
Drummer Job Description
Below are the drummer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a drummer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a drummer include the following:
- Creating music’s beat and timing.
- Participating in live events and performances.
- Motivating band members to give their best performance.
- Attending rehearsals consistently.
- Organizing and promoting events and music.
- Performing live and playing the drum at events.
- Playing the drum confidently to eliminate a source of the disturbance.
- Motivating the opposing band team to perform their best.
- Attending rehearsals on a consistent and timely basis.
- Maintaining a professional demeanor and abstaining from vulgarity while performing live.
- Recording of music in the studio.
- Promoting events and music.
- Attending rehearsals following the schedule.
- Live performances and music recordings.
- Producing unique musical beats.
- Supervising drummers following performance specifications.
- Recruiting and training of new musicians.
- Obtaining client feedback.
- Enhancing the music in response to feedback.
- Coordinating with other members of the team.
- Keeping the drum set in good condition regularly.
- Maintaining an open line of communication with the bandleader.
- Developing new concepts and music.
- Assembling and maintaining drum sets in good condition.
- Performing in a variety of locations.
- Maintaining a positive relationship with team members.
- Attending workshops and conferences on music.
- Keeping up with the latest musical trends.
Other important tasks include:
- Keeping to time
The drummer establishes the foundations for the track, provides the pulse, and provides the groove, allowing the rest of the band to express themselves creatively. The beat of the song binds everyone together, and the drummer establishing themselves as a reliable timekeeper fosters trust among the other players, resulting in improved music.
- Perform and combine various styles
Drum kits are constantly evolving. Early kits from the 1920s and 1930s featured foot-high cymbals dubbed ‘low boys,’ before evolving into the hi-hat we know today. Players transitioned from animal skins to the first polyester drumheads in the 1950s. Today’s players must be able to perform a variety of styles while combining electric and acoustic playing.
- Perfection
As a guitarist, vocalist, or another musician, you can frequently get away with making an occasional error or playing a bad note; however, this is not the case for drummers. If you skip a beat or slow down the tempo, the band and audience will immediately notice. This is true not only for the notes themselves but also for the dynamics and feel of a song, with the drummer frequently responsible for leading the band’s overall feel.
- Complying with requirements
A frequent source of contention for contemporary drummers is the desire to overcomplicate things. Because the music is what matters, a drummer’s playing may need to be toned down to best complement the song. Drummers must be able to use their ears and judgment in addition to their technical abilities. Having said that, being the band’s backbone does not mean the drummer does not get time in the spotlight, but the true value comes from knowing when to take a back seat.
- Auditioning with other band members
Drummers and bassists typically form a band’s rhythm section. Consider a band as a car, with the rhythm section serving as the engine that propels everything forward. Meanwhile, the vocals and lead guitar serve as the chassis and finish. They contribute creativity and key selling points, but without the engine, they will struggle to succeed. A drummer and bassist must connect and work well together while also taking direction and input from the other members.
Qualifications
- Percussion training and proficiency.
- Must be resourceful.
- Must be self-motivated.
- Collaborate effectively in a team setting.
Essential Skills
- Persistence
Persistence is the key to success in all endeavors. If drumming is something you are truly passionate about and wish to excel at, only persistence will get you there. It will motivate you to work diligently, push yourself, practice, and seize opportunities. It will be what sustains you when times become difficult – as they inevitably will. The greats are not great simply because they have never encountered difficulty or adversity. They are incredible because they triumphed over them.
- Forbearance
Patience must accompany persistence. Your ability will not manifest itself overnight. It will take thousands of hours of practice, and not all of that practice will be exciting. You will not constantly be acquiring new songs or techniques. Indeed, you should devote considerable time to the fundamentals. Regardless of your level of experience, there is always something to be gained by revisiting the fundamentals. Be patient with your practice and put forth your best effort in all that you do.
- Passion
Because you’ll be spending a significant amount of time practicing and honing your skills, you must be passionate about what you’re doing. Your passion will motivate you to continue. It will motivate you to take risks and put yourself out there. The greats did not achieve their fame by always playing it safe. At times, their passion compelled them to take calculated risks. Bear in mind that passion does not have to be something you begin with. Indeed, your passion for drumming should grow and mature over time. It will develop along with your understanding and appreciation of the art form.
- Understand how to profit from Constructive Criticism
This is another soft skill that will benefit you in a variety of areas of your life. All great drummers must be able to not only accept constructive criticism but also make the most of it. This begins with recognizing criticism for what it is. Set aside defensive and offended feelings and accept well-intended advice. Consider its merits and, perhaps, give it a shot. If something does not work, you can always return to what you were doing or try something else. Difficult Skills Hard skills are those that are quantifiable, actively practiced, and continually improved.
- Feel
Feelings are difficult to define, but they are both a characteristic and a skill that must be developed. It’s all about your timing and how you manipulate a piece’s beat and time. While some are more adept at this than others, you can practice by becoming intimately acquainted with the 8th and 16th notes. Don’t be afraid to experiment along the way – developing your sense of touch takes a lifetime.
- Adaptiveness
Adaptability is a desirable trait in all situations. However, as creatures of habit, it is also one of the most difficult to master. If you can develop the ability to be adaptable and flexible in your drumming, you will be better equipped to overcome any obstacle that comes your way. Adaptation can take a variety of forms. Perhaps you’re required to play on a kit that contains components you’re unfamiliar with, and you’re required to adapt to new kits. Alternatively, your bandmates may wish to accelerate or decelerate the tempo. Not only will you need to adjust to different tempos, but also to play with other musicians. By pushing yourself and stepping outside of your comfort zone, you increase your adaptability. This is a transferable skill that will benefit you in almost any aspect of life.
- Time Management
Keeping time is one of the drummer’s primary responsibilities in a band. While this can be a challenging skill to master at first, do not be afraid to utilize available tools such as a metronome. A great drummer maintains a sense of time and measures it. You must also speak up if the timing is incorrect. If you are unaware of it, the chances are that no one else is as well.
- Listening skills
One of the most critical skills any musician can develop is the ability to listen. While this may seem self-evident, a great drummer always listens to the song and gains a general understanding of it before jumping in. It is critical to have a holistic understanding of the song to create effective transitions and sections. Make sure your crashes and fills are not random. Consider each bar, verse, and section and choose what fits the song the best. If you’re reading this and feeling as if you’re lacking in one or more areas, don’t despair. Bear in mind that people and their character traits are dynamic – they are constantly evolving and changing. If you believe you could improve in some areas, try setting some goals and making a conscious effort to help yourself improve.
How to Become a Drummer
Step 1
The most time-consuming and first step toward becoming a professional drummer is to enroll in a musical institution – a high school, college, or conservatory. A portion of the training is required of all students: musical notation, solfeggio, and tablature. Additionally, to fully develop the ability to extract not just a rhythm from a drum kit, but an entire melody, you must have a good ear for music. The disadvantage of this type of training may be the length of time required (up to 7 years at a music school, 3-5 years at a university). Following your studies, you can begin playing the drum kit in small music groups, jazz bands, and even a symphony orchestra. Although music schools’ “from scratch” education is more suited to children and teenagers, there are special training courses for adults.
Step 2
Lessons in professional skills from renowned drummers are more timely. They can be individual or group sessions but are always geared toward the musician’s technical development. With this type of training, teachers will avoid imparting general musical knowledge, instead of focusing exclusively on the theory and practice of drum kit playing. This is a convenient method for an adult who is willing to pay for his studies.
Step 3
Self-study is a cost-effective way to learn how to play the drum kit and become a drummer. This will require your setup and a hall with adequate acoustics and the capacity to practice for an extended time. Self-study is more beneficial after a few consultations with a professional musician who will demonstrate how to sit properly without straining your back, how to hold sticks, and how to strike drums and cymbals.
Step 4
There are numerous online tutorials available for beginners at the moment. On YouTube, there are dedicated “drummers” channels where professionals and amateurs share drum training videos. Additionally, renowned musicians offer comprehensive DVD courses that can be purchased in music stores or downloaded from torrent sites.
Where to Work as a Drummer
Drummers can perform in bands, teach, work as session musicians, conduct workshops, use drumming as a form of therapy, work in recording studios, or work in the music business.
Drummer Salary Scale
In the United States, the national average salary for a Drummer is $41,015 per year.