Keeping on

A good time today.  Started by playing along with the Billie Jean basic backbeat as played by the man who played it on the original song.  That's a decent warmup, and it was followed by a drumline warmup that gets up to a pretty fast rate of speed.  I haven't tried it for quite awhile, so it was a pleasant surprise that I made only one small bobble over 5 minutes.  

Then some six-stroke rolls apps practice, still at reduced speed (70 is more than I can do so far) but not much slower.  I think tomorrow will be the last day I spend on it.  One week on each of the rudiments will be enough for the first time around.  

After that came an unscheduled break.  First thing this morning, I was trying to resolve an issue between a huge health insurance company and a huge medical system.  That went more smoothly than I feared.  But this afternoon, I had to try to resolve an issue between a huge bank and a little private citizen.  The good news is that there was a satisfactory outcome, even though it took the better part of an hour.  

When that wrapped up, it was time to eat, then time to walk, and other essential non-drum-related tasks.  

But here I am, after practicing pocket on a simplified half-time shuffle for a good 15 minutes.  Still not second nature, I still have to think before playing.  Earlier in the year, I started learning a basic bossa nova beat, which took days and days to get under control, but I did it.  Now I can perform it like I type the words on this page.  I want to type these words, and all I have to do is make sure my fingers are on the right keys before beginning.  I imagine that's how expert musicians play, just letting go.

It's all good, or good enough that I want to keep at it.  And, putting my money where my mouth is, this evening I signed up for another year of Drumeo plus a pair of in-ear monitors.