How to Quickly Learn Drumming | The Tim Ferriss Experiment (TV Series)

Summary

Tim Ferriss takes on the challenge of learning to play the drums and perform live with the rock band Foreigner in just 5 days. He struggles at first to read sheet music and keep time. With guidance from expert drummers like Stewart Copeland of The Police, Ferriss realizes he should focus on nailing the main grooves of the song rather than getting overwhelmed with fancy fills. After hours of focused practice, Ferriss takes the stage with Foreigner to perform their hit song "Hot Blooded," overcoming his self-doubts and achieving his improbable goal.

Takeaways

• 😊 Tim Ferriss takes on the challenge of learning to play the drums and perform live with a rock band in just 5 days
• 👂 He gets advice from legendary Police drummer Stewart Copeland to focus on the basics - kick, snare, and hi-hat patterns
• 🥁 His initial attempts to sight read drum sheet music prove ineffective so he switches to a simplified notation system
• 😅 Tim experiences frustration and anxiety trying to learn drums so quickly but persists through the mental barriers
• 🎸 He simplifies the learning process by identifying the critical 20% - the main verse, chorus and pre-chorus grooves
• 🎤 Members of rock band Foreigner advise him to learn the song instead of just the drums
• 💡 Tim has an insight that repetitive practice of the core grooves is the most effective training strategy
• 🤘 He decides not to attempt fancy fills to minimize risk of failure at his live show debut
• 🔥 Tim gets an adrenaline rush and feels the electricity of live performance for the first time
• 😄 He ends up playing competently at the final show and feels he can now question other 'Impossibles' in his life

Q & A

What is Tim Ferriss' goal for the 5 day challenge?

Tim Ferriss' goal is to learn drums and perform live with an internationally renowned rock band in Los Angeles within 5 days.

Who does Tim Ferriss recruit as his drum teacher?

Tim recruits Stuart Copeland, the founding member of The Police and considered one of the top 10 drummers of all time.

What is Tim's main weakness when trying to learn the drums?

Tim's main weakness is that he does not know how to read music or think about music using standard vocabulary like measures and notes.

What advice does Chris from Foreigner give Tim?

Chris advises Tim to learn the song itself rather than just focusing on learning the drums. This means Tim should learn the drums through the specifics of the song he will perform.

What does Tim realize is the 'critical 20%' he needs to focus on?

Tim realizes the 3 main grooves of the song - the verse, chorus, and pre-chorus - make up the critical 20% he needs to learn to play 80% or more of the song.

What hard decision does Tim have to make before the performance?

Tim has to decide whether to go for the fancy drum fills and flourishes at the risk of messing up, or focus on nailing the main grooves even if it's boring.

What ritual does the band Foreigner do before the show?

The band members toss a carrot in the air and try to catch it in their mouths.

How does Tim feel after completing the 5-day drumming challenge?

Tim feels that if learning drums this quickly was possible, it makes him question what other 'impossibles' in his life he could achieve.

Where can viewers find additional footage related to the show?

Viewers can find extended scenes, interviews, and tutorials at Tim's website 4hourworkweek.com/sltv.

What does Tim Ferriss warn about working in TV?

He jokes that working in TV means you have to cut so much great footage to fit time slots that it makes you want to stab yourself with bicycle spokes.