Guitar Center Drum Off
- Dexter Verrill
- Jan 10, 2016
- 2 min read
If you ever need to be inspired to play the drums, there's no better way than to watch the finalists compete to be the next Guitar Center Drum Off Champ!
This year is the 27th Annual Competition, which will be hosted at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, CA on January 16.
From watching these videos on YouTube, after the actual event, I have never been more motivated to create my own drum solo.
The first video I watched was entitled the Craziest Drum Solor Ever. This wild solo was performed by Aric Importa in 2012 as a finalist. His most imposive parts were, of course, his game of "question and answer" between his feet and hands--Importa would create a pattern, fairly fast mind you, with his hands on the snare drum and then play the same thing with his feet, utilizing the double bass on his kick drum (bass drum). Another very impressive part was his ablility to play a fast paced beat with one hand up in the air and one playing the rest of the drums. Of course, the solo was not named the "Craziest" for no reason. His hands and feet flew at super speeds, his facial expressions were just...well, strange. But his craziness had a climax: jumping up and down and spinning the throne, then hitting the snare and tom with a few screams--he's about as crazy as it gets!
Of course there were other videos, from past winners, including Shariq Tucker (2014), JP Bouvet (2011), and Isaias Gil (2010). All are extremely inspiring! Tucker with his excellent sense of musicality, Bouvet with his incredible use of independence, and Gil, of course, with his head-bobbing grooves and ability to engage the crowd.
I encourage you, if you want to be known as a drummer--looking for that endorsement?--then shoot for the stars; try out next year for the competition at the nearest place you can. Aim for the championship of 2016. Even if you're not a finalist, your popularity will increase, for sure! I haven't had the priviledge of entering the contest as of now, however, if the opportunity arises, I would most definitely consider such an event.
Watch the video, go to the show, and get inspired. Learn from them, take something away from it. If nothing else, see how much fun they have (see how much fun you can have if you just entered).
Take a risk, it may just be in your favor. "But what if it doesn't work out?" you may ask. My answer to you is another question: "What if it did?"
Comments