Peer pressure, that oldest of motivators and opinion influencers...
I typically don't care if I'm "in fashion". I march to the beat of my own drum in most things in life. That doesn't mean that I don't recognize when the crowd has a different or unexpected viewpoint.
To that point there are some items that I have been surprised by when I find out that I'm on the outside.
In this thread, please post what it is you were/are completely happy with only to find out that the collective wisdom of DrummerWorld preaches a contrary message.
Here are three that come to mind;
1. Remo UT heads Suck! They are not that bad. Not the best of course, but serviceable until you can get better. Not complete crap.
2. Electronic kits are a waste of time and effort. No, not really. They do need to be dialed in. Sensitivity and velocity curves make all the difference. Is there a big jump from electronic to acoustic in terms of feel and touch? You bet. Similar to driving a Honda Civic and jumping into a 4x4 pickup, it takes a few miles to get comfortable. Not insurmountable.
3. 18" deep bass drums are a mess. Disclaimer here; I don't gig but I do set up in a very tight space. I never gave it a second thought until I came here. 22x14, 22x16, 22x18... If four inches is going to make or break your set up, maybe you should play a cajon. That's a bit tongue in cheek, I get it some stages are like postage stamps, but for most of us, not a factor that should be our primary motivation I'm thinking.
So what is it that you learned to dislike because DW says so?
Playing... no,
practicing rudiments. While I do know some and can execute them just fine, I have never have the need/desire to use that knowledge, nor has that ever come in handy unless I go out of my way to shoehorn a particular rudiment to something I am playing.
Second on
the electronic drum hate nonsense. I have gigged a lot of times with electronic kits and I got plenty of compliments on my drum sound from the audience. That happened at almost every gig. The same can't be said for the gigs I played with acoustic kits.
A lot of the naysayers have not played electronic drums at all or played a good kit or with VST packs. It literally lets you have the exact sound of the drummer you like (minus their skill of course). The only issue I found with that was that when playing against the original track, your drums are so close to the original that they just blend in! I had to change them a little to be able to differentiate! (This was tested using Steven Slate Drums and playing with say.. the Pantera kit covering a Pantera song, and same with other kits when covering a song from that artist's albums). For anything else such as playing on a drumless track, or playing an original, they are fantastic, not to mention you can have tons of different kits that in order to get that collection with acoustic kits, you would have to give Bermuda a run for his money.
One use of electronic kits example that stood out for me was one guy playing a Tool medley using his DAW for automation allowing him to change kits (and kit parts) as the songs changed without having to touch the computer (yes all that with him playing the drums non stop).
you wouldn't be able to do that with acoustic kits.
Playing fast also, I like to play fast, I like songs that are alive and challenging there is nothing wrong with speed and speed does not imply lack of talent either. I know lots of very fast drummers that got to be that fast by mastering several techniques, a lot of trial and error and huge dedication to their craft. Dismissing them as not talented because their chosen genre is not something someone likes is just ignorant and shameful.
Double bass. Either two drums or a double pedal. Clearly two drums and single pedals is where is at, but as mentioned before, stage space limitations and crew availability may limit that. Regardless of your choice, again bashing someone because they use a tool that you don't just shows your inability to adapt. Would you turn down a good paying gig because you don't play double bass, if the gig asked for a slow to mid tempo double bass on some tracks?? (not talking death metal speeds here just some Motley Crue Red Hot speeds max) I believe that unless you have a physical limitation most anyone should be able to play that...
Some people's insistence on pushing a style they like over any other (yes I am referring to you Jazz/blues people)
as if any other styles are inferior.
Same goes for bands. I was born in the 70s but I call the 80's the time where I was more musically aware. This means that bands like the Stones or the Beatles were way before my time. Me not liking them doesn't mean I discount their contribution to music, it just means it is my preference due to my place in time.
Playing a large kit To me, more is more and what I mean by that is that I can make a very small kit work (and I have before on some gigs) I hated hearing the same crash over and over though. Having more drums/cymbals, just increases your options.
I'm sure there are plenty more but that would make this post extra long which given today's average attention span would make it unreadable.
(I still like 'em, though)
