Jojo Mayer interview Part 1: The Early Years

Summary

The speaker grew up immersed in music with a jazz bassist father, being exposed to diverse genres that broke stylistic barriers. One of his earliest memories is sitting in on a soundcheck with his dad's band as a child. He was mostly self-taught on drums by imitating records and playing along, only having a few formal lessons later on. He developed his own recognizable drumming style and technique through much frustration and falling on his face. This struggle enabled him to innovate himself continually and find new territory in his playing.

Takeaways

• 😊 Grew up in a musical, artistic household with a jazz bassist father
• 🎹 Was exposed to many genres of music from a young age
• 🥁 Has a childhood memory of sitting in on a soundcheck with his dad's band
• 🤘 Is mostly self-taught on drums by watching, imitating and playing along to records
• 📚 Only had a few hours of formal drum lessons, getting tips from masters like Jim Chapin
• 🤔 Needed to struggle and develop his own style and technique rather than adopting a prefab system
• 💡 Feels his recognizable drumming sound comes from having to find his own way
• 🔄 Sees the ongoing struggle to innovate himself musically as part of who he is
• 🎨 Comes from an artistic family background
• 🎶 Had access to a wide variety of quality music growing up

Q & A

What was Peter's first childhood memory related to music?

Peter remembers sitting in on a soundcheck with his dad's jazz band when he was very young. He even remembers the tune they were playing - a Bobby Timmons song called 'Moanin'.

How did Peter learn to play the drums?

Peter is mostly self-taught. He learned by watching, imitating, and playing along to records rather than through formal drum lessons. He estimates he only had 4 or 5 hours of formal lessons in his mid-20s.

Who did Peter get some informal lessons from?

Peter got some informal hotel room lessons in the middle of the night from legendary drummer Jim Chapin. He calls Jim an "ambassador" who was generous about passing on his knowledge.

How does Peter feel about his lack of formal training?

Peter has mixed feelings. On the one hand, more access to information earlier could have helped him avoid mistakes. But on the other, he feels he needed to struggle and "fall on his face" to develop his own recognizable drumming style.

What challenges has Peter faced as a self-taught drummer?

As a self-taught drummer, Peter has had to go through considerable frustration and struggle to develop his own paradigm and technique. He's had to reinvent himself multiple times to find new territory.

What are the benefits of being self-taught for Peter?

Being self-taught has allowed Peter to develop a drumming sound that is uniquely recognizable as his own rather than fitting into a prefab system or mainstream concept.

What type of musical exposure did Peter have growing up?

Peter grew up in a very musical, artistic household. His dad was a jazz bassist, so he was exposed to many genres from jazz to R&B to pop from a young age and developed eclectic taste.

Why was Peter's appearance at his dad's soundcheck notable?

A news reporter happened to photograph young Peter sitting in at his dad's jazz band soundcheck, which is quite unusual for a child that age. The picture even ended up in the newspaper.

What drumming challenges has Peter had to overcome?

As a mostly self-taught drummer, Peter has had to overcome frustration, lack of access to information, trial and error learning, and developing his own unique technique through considerable struggle.

How has Peter had to reinvent himself as a drummer?

Peter says he's constantly trying to find new territory and re-innovate his drumming paradigm instead of resting on his style. The process of growth and change has become part of his identity.