A drummer’s voice is two things: The hi hat and the snare. Argue the point if you want. I have recorded enough to know.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Another snare, yeah. A new one would be splendid. A Black Beauty appeals to my gear sluttery, but I’m torn about the cost.

The catalogs are out, and I’m planning a trip to see Mike, my personal gear enabler.

Is common sense going to prevail here? My bank account screams “no.” My ego whispers, “Yes.”

Otis leaps onto my snare, knocking my sticks to the floor. He plops down on the drum, tail thumping in rhythm, and fixes me with his yellow eyes.

“You know the truth,” he purrs, while doing his stretchy thing. “Cheap tools make cheap habits. The best you can afford, that’s not indulgence, that’s respect for your craft.”

“Are you saying spending on quality gear will make me a better player?”

“Not the gear. The hopeful benefit that comes with it. When you invest in your sound, you show up differently. You tune with more care. You play with more intent. You listen harder because the instrument under your hands is capable of more. And when things fall flat, you can’t blame the warped rim or the cheap hardware. It’s all on you.”

He stretches again, claws tapping against a tom shell. “A master carpenter doesn’t hammer nails with a plastic hammer. Why should you settle for tools that fight you?”

Then he circles once and curls up on the snare, declaring the matter settled.

Can We Help You?

Are you holding yourself back with cheap tools, or is it time to invest in the best you can afford to honor your craft?

Respect your craft. Invest where it counts. Share your thoughts below, and don’t forget to subscribe for more lessons from The Gospel According To Otis.

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