Drummers are musicians as well.

[lewisrg99]

I heard something that really bothered me. I heard someone say or imply that drummers are not musicians. I believe they say this in ignorance because no melodic sound is made when striking the drums. I primarily play in my church and have seen that most church view the bass player and especially the pianist or organist as being more valuable to the music department than the drummer. In fact from what I have seen in most churches the organist and bass player get paid two times more than the drummer does. I was wandering if this mentality was jus in the church or is it like this in other arenas as well. Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

[Music Head]

In my church they play for free

[Jerome]

I heard something that really bothered me. I heard someone say or imply that drummers are not musicians. I believe they say this in ignorance because no melodic sound is made when striking the drums. I primarily play in my church and have seen that most church view the bass player and especially the pianist or organist as being more valuable to the music department than the drummer. In fact from what I have seen in most churches the organist and bass player get paid two times more than the drummer does. I was wandering if this mentality was jus in the church or is it like this in other arenas as well. Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

Of course a melodic sound is made. That's why a kit is tuned.

[Quaalude]

A drummer is a musician (percussionist) that performs music mainly on a the multi-percussion instrument. Ive seen this question about drummers being actual musicians debated on music forums time and time again. The drummer keeps the timing (heart & soul) for the whole band and is one of the main players in the basic rhythm section of most bands. It sounds a little unreasonable paying a drummer less than other musicians, these guys really have to work hard physically to perform their job correctly. Especially with certain types of music like rock, jazz, etc.

I would question the viability of a lead vocalist being a musician if he didnt play any musical instruments verses a drummer. I know that years ago a lead vocalist did not have to be in the musicians "Union" if he didnt use any musical instruments while performing on stage. I dont know if that still stands the same way these days or not within the Musicians Union?

[lewisrg99]

Very true Jerome, very true

[Jerome]

I play a number of instruments, and yes the drums as well many moons ago, and you have to be far more focused as a drummer. A guitarist/keyboard player can get away with murder. Drummers have to be precise or it sticks out like a sore thumb.

[jazzboCR]

My brother is a drummer of the R&R persuasion and he says it (that there are drummers and then there are musicians) as a bitter, ironic joke. He's been in a duo with the same partner for 30+ years--it wouldn't exist or have lasted without him. Love ya, Jim.

[Jerome]

Can we hear some of his stuff sometime?

[Mezurashii5]

I play drums and started learning bass not long ago. I don't think a drummer is a musician.
Of course, it's a proper name for him, but it's too far from playing a melodic instrument to just call everything the same. There's more physicality and skill and much, much less knowledge and ascultation (? whatever training your ears is called).

[SteveO]

Whenever I hear that comment regarding the drums I always think of this!!!!!

[video=youtube;Pza9MSBOx88]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pza9MSBOx88[/video]