Aaron Clark: Drums

For Christmas of my seventh year my father bought me a drum set. It was of very minimal construction quality so I proceded to beat the shit out of it enjoying every minute. After breaking some drum heads my father suggested that I might do well with some lessons, and so it began.

A few years of lessons elapsed. When I was feeling like forsaking the instrument that had chanelled all of my aggression into something more productive than yelling and smashing things (well I do that at the drums anyhow), I took piano lessons. Piano was fun and interesting, but before too long my initial calling roped me back in and I went full-bore into the drum set again.

Among many valuble teachers who imparted their knowledge, I spent the most time studying with one Ottawa based teacher who opened my eyes and ears to many aspects of the intsrument which otherwise would have eluded me at the time. Larry Graves is a figure-head in the Canadian music scene today and I owe him much.

I'm lucky enough to have had peers just as enthusisatic about their instruments at all times in my life; so I have been involved in a number of different musical ensembles. I'm also lucky enough to have had numerous opportunities for recording these musical projects. This has been a great source for self evaluation and I would assert that it is a priceless opportunity for anyone presented with the option.

Drums have been a vital part of my being for eighteen years, and I can't even begin to attempt qualifying the thereputic nature of being thoroughly involved with the learning of an instrument. Musicians secretly rule the world. Suck on that!!