Intermediate skill level?

[Ardent15]

How would you define a drummer at "intermediate" skill level?

Generally, I personally would define one as

-having good time
-the ability to play multiple styles effectively
-the ability to play to a click track
-good groove
-decent chops

How would you define one?

[Jean-Paul]

Thanks a lot ... I only cover 2 out of 5

How can you tell you have good time or groove? What are decent chops? And you can play to a click but can you convey a pulse?

The more I study the more I get the feeling I suck ass. But there are improvements once in a while. I am not a beginner but I'm
not comparing myself with "the boys" either. My hands are on a very decent level but I have difficulties making the move from
practice pad to full kit. I am not as relaxed as I want and I play more into the head than pulling the sound out of the head. And I
play quite some time already but groove is a mean thing. I miss steadiness and if there's steadiness I miss variation and "air."
I play to sequencers and click-tracks but my groove is better without one. You tend to listen to the other musicians better than
having your in-ears in or headphones on. And, you listen to yourself.

Now I have wrote down all this crap, is intermediate level the ability to have self-reflection? To know where you stand?

[Gaddabout]

I'd simplify by saying the drummer should be aware of most styles and be able to execute them at some basic level of musicianship. Good time is a beginner skill, IMO. Good feel is a pro skill. Self-awareness ... maybe just an awareness of one's limitations.

I'm guessing if "intermediate drummer" were defined in a book, my picture would be next to it.

[Ardent15]

I'd simplify by saying the drummer should be aware of most styles and be able to execute them at some basic level of musicianship. Good time is a beginner skill, IMO. Good feel is a pro skill. Self-awareness ... maybe just an awareness of one's limitations.

I'm guessing if "intermediate drummer" were defined in a book, my picture would be next to it.

Well, 80-90% of gigging drummers (at least) are at or slightly above intermediate skill level.

Then there's about 10% who stand out as advanced players.

Then there are the fraction of a percent who are at or near the levels of Vinnie, Weckl, Novak, etc.

I know a guy who's played with Keith Urban (briefly), and has done some odd studio work around here. There are lots of people like that, just solid players who get the job done.

As far as feel and time go, I agree about good feel being a pro level skill, but disagree about good time. A lot of beginners don't really have a steady pulse down. It comes with time (no pun intended).

[Gaddabout]

As far as feel and time go, I agree about good feel being a pro level skill, but disagree about good time. A lot of beginners don't really have a steady pulse down. It comes with time (no pun intended).

Which is why they're beginners.

[Ardent15]

As far as feel and time go, I agree about good feel being a pro level skill, but disagree about good time. A lot of beginners don't really have a steady pulse down. It comes with time (no pun intended).

Which is why they're beginners.

Indeed, but you said that good time is a beginner skill, while I would argue that intermediates have much more solid time.

[Gaddabout]

As far as feel and time go, I agree about good feel being a pro level skill, but disagree about good time. A lot of beginners don't really have a steady pulse down. It comes with time (no pun intended).

Which is why they're beginners.

Indeed, but you said that good time is a beginner skill, while I would argue that intermediates have much more solid time.

Look, don't make me drive up there and give you a beating.

[Ardent15]

Just make sure it's a beating on a snare drum.

[gretsch-o-rama]

Drummers talking about beating... yep.lol

[bclarkio]

A Beginner Beats the drums.

An Intermediate Plays the drums.

A Pro makes the drums Moan and Sigh.