Throwback to 4 years ago with some background info.
In 2015 I was in Canada to record a live lesson for Drumeo.
I don’t know how my colleagues feel about this but I can assure you that events like these make me nervous.
So, I went to bed early the night before the shoot and fell asleep soon after I went to bed. The only problem was: I woke up after 45 minutes when my brain started engaging in a conversation:
“Jost, you should sleep now. It’s better to be well-rested tomorrow.”
I’m like: “Yeah, I’m trying.”
My brain: “Jost? JOST? Are you sure that you got your stuff together…..I mean like……you could have practiced more, don’t you think??”
Me: “I am too tired. Please stop.”
Brain: “Okay.”
Brain: “Maybe you should try that new idea you’ve been working on….or maybe not….it’s really not very good!!”
Me: “Shut up!!!!! WILL YOU?????”
Brain: “But I want to go through the lesson….and also: did you know you’re supposed to play a solo???”
Me: “Yes.”
Brain: “But what happens if that doesn’t go well??????”
Me: “I can’t sleep”.
Brain: “Great. Let’s talk some more.”
And so, the conversation went on for what felt like the whole night. I maybe slept for one hour that night.
When I got up my arms hurt and I could barely think.
I went to have breakfast and the actually very good Denny’s which is close to the hotel. (I later found out, that not all Denny’s restaurants match the one in Abbotsford.)
Jared Falk picked me up from the hotel and was very relaxed and super friendly and made me feel very good. (Still, all my body wanted is sleep.)
I warmed up for at least 45 minutes until I felt like I know how to play drums again.
Then it was time to record the lesson (and stream it live). There was a countdown and I felt an adrenaline rush which was a little too much for my taste…
What I always do in situations like these is I think of my younger self when I was dreaming about being a professional drummer. With this thought, I can really cherish these moments and get rid of the nervousness.
Everything went by in a rush.
I guess I am my own biggest critic but I must admit that I was quite happy with the lesson.
I found out that playing works well with almost no sleep at all, but explaining groove concepts in a foreign language is very challenging.
After the live lesson, Jared, Dave Atkinson, and Victor Guidera and I went out for dinner at a restaurant called Moxy’s. We had a great time and I slept like a baby the next night.
So, thank you Drumeo for the invitation and two days I will never forget!!
This is what I played when Jared finally asked me to maybe play a solo….