Sigh... Poor Pepito

2/1/2010

Well, I was looking through some drafts of old blogs that never made the cut. I found this and thought it'd be appropriate now since Pepito went to be with the Lord in June '09. I must say that I do miss having him around. Regardless of his attitude problem. Anyways, I thought it was funny how I described him a little. If you ever met him, you might appreciate what I had to say about him back in November '08.

Enjoy....

11/14/08
Don't tell my mother...

I think my dog is dying. I know I just instructed you not to tell my mother, but believe it or not, I've been trying to tell her myself. Pepito is like 15 years old. He's like a grumpy old man, doesn't like to be bothered. I asked him the other day if he wanted to go outside for a walk and he said to me in plain english "F*** OFF LOSER!"

I walked away crying. There was once a time where I could say the word "outside" and he'd freak out. Almost like how the people who open their door only to find Xzibit and the pimp my ride crew in their front yard freak out. I miss those days. He'd jump around like a maniac, and while it was almost impossible to get a leash on him, it was still fun. He use to be a fun puppy.

Now he's a freakin grump. And I don't very much appreciate his behavior towards me. He's only got like 3 teeth left....(END)

Confidence VS Humility

On another random note, I realized something today. I'm currently studying music at the Boden Center. For those of you who don't know, it’s actually a music school that’s part of Crossroads Tabernacle in the Bronx.

I'm taking a classed called "Applied Music" which is a class that’s basically devoted to music theory. I can't say that I’ve ever learned so much in such a short period of time. It’s truly been a blessing to study here.

I said all this to say, that today I learned something about being a musician. I realized the importance of being confident, especially as a drummer.

It’s true when they say that the rhythm section of a band can make or break it. As a drummer, I’m responsible for keeping the drive of the song, maintaining the tempo, and securing that rhythm. With that being said, you can already see the importance of playing with confidence.

Now, here comes the part where I mostly struggle with. I understand why I need to play with a sense of command over my instrument; however, I was raised to be a humble man.

I find that my struggle here is distinguishing the difference between being confident and being cocky. It's evident that there is an extremely thin line between the two. You can be confident and come off as a cocky person. It's really a sore to the eye when you see someone who is cocky. They think highly of themselves, and it hurts you.

On the other hand, when someone is genuinely confident, it totally turns your perspective of that person around. It becomes the kind of thing you can learn to respect. This is where I am at right now. I'm working on defining myself as a drummer. Hoping to be confident, and to be that damn good. lol. Trying to distinguish that thin line between being confident, and refraining from becoming cocky and arrogant.

I met this one drummer who was lucky enough to play with the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. (Google/youtube them if you don't know who they are) He was complaining to me about how he couldn't really play how he wanted to because the band wanted a certain sound. I know what that feels like, but what messed it up was when he started rambling on about how great he was. The complete opposite of being humble. This guy starting saying he was the best thing that happened to this band.

The most disappointing part of this story is the end. When the band finally started playing their tune, he was far from being a phenominal drummer. He kept making mistakes, his tempo was all over the place, and at some points, some of the band members would turn around and give him dirty looks for messing up their songs.

I don't ever want that to be me. At least had this young man had a humble mindset, then not only would his playing have been not so out of line, and his arogance wouldn't of given the songs such a foul stench.

Well, in anycase, thats my opinion.

Much Love Reader,

-JR