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Join Emily Dolan Davies as she shares personal stories, lessons and musings from her 20 years experience as a session drummer. Find out first hand what it’s like touring the world, recording remotely and running a successful business. If you’re just starting out in the music industry or simply crazy about drums - this podcast is for you!
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
👀 Do you have a suspicion that perfection may be sabotaging you?
🚨 If you’re a musician who is striving for perfection, it may actually be undermining your progress creatively, professionally and connecting with others.
🎙 If this resonates with you, then check out my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To… 3 Signs of Perfectionist Sabotage
🛑 Here are the 3 most prominent signs for me that I see within myself and students that perfectionist tendencies are creating a big old BLOCK!
1️⃣ Not posting to social media when you know it will benefit your career and expand your network.
2️⃣ Saying no to opportunities because you don’t feel you’re ready.
3️⃣ Feeling physical tension or stress in my body in rehearsals or on a gig because of fear of making a mistake.
🫠 If you’d like to dive deeper into these blocks you may be encountering too, and how to counter them, then check out my podcast episode, A Drummer's Guide To... 3 Signs of Perfectionist Sabotage
🎧 …and if you’d like to lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then look for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and YouTube
---If you'd like early access to future podcast episodes, join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/emilydrums ---
#ADrummersGuideTo #Podcast #promusicians #musicianproblems #musiciansofig #sessionmusician #musicianlifestyle #sessiondrummer #musiceducation #musicianslife #behindthescenes #musicindustry #professionalmusician #drummer #drums #drumming #lessons #drumlesson #drumlessons #remoterecording #homestudio #remotesession #productivity #ama #askmeanything
Saturday Oct 26, 2024
Saturday Oct 26, 2024
🚨 If you’re struggling looking to others for what you should be doing in your career, then this could be for you!
👀 Are you a musician looking for external validation, guidance, and worth? If something in you is feeling uncomfortable reading this, then my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To… Developing Your Inner Compass could be for you.
💜 I think although it’s great to get some guidance from others who have been successful in the area you want to be in, to define that area must come from within first and foremost!
🙋♀️ Here are some ways to develop (and continue to develop) your inner compass…
1️⃣ Define (and regularly redefine) what success means to you.
2️⃣ Find a way to measure your success in a tangible way so you can check you’re always moving forward and creating momentum.
3️⃣ Create a feedback loop in everything you’re doing so you can critique your abilities and make sure you’re progressing. I use the GIG sandwich method pinpointing:
👍 Something GOOD
😩 Something to IMPROVE
👍 Something GOOD Because we know, it’s too easy to find something wrong with what we’re doing, but we want to build confidence too, not just tear yourself down.
4️⃣ Document your progress to see how far you’ve come in the hard times (and there will be hard times!)
🎙 If any of this resonates with you and you want to delve further, check out my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To… Developing Your Inner Compass
🎧 …and if you’d like to lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then look for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and youtube
---If you'd like early access to future podcast episodes, join the patreon: https://www.patreon.com/emilydrums---
#ADrummersGuideTo #Podcast #promusicians #musicianproblems #musiciansofig #sessionmusician #musicianlifestyle #sessiondrummer #musiceducation #musicianslife #behindthescenes #musicindustry #professionalmusician #drummer #drums #drumming #lessons #drumlesson #drumlessons #remoterecording #homestudio #remotesession #productivity #ama #askmeanything
Saturday Oct 19, 2024
Saturday Oct 19, 2024
🤨 If you think that getting to play with a ‘named artist’ is the end game for your career, and that you’ll be set for life, think again!
🎧 Musicians, if you want to know the reality of playing with named artists and all the stuff that goes on in between that you may not know about, then check out my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To… In-Between The Big Gigs
👀 You may see musicians you aspire to be like on huge stages, touring the world, playing with renowned artists with massive adoration and massive followings…
🤨 What you don’t see?
😅 All the other moments, smaller gigs, unknown artist, jam sessions, working for free, and a ton of stuff in-between
🎙 I share all the stuff I was doing and continue to do in between all the ‘big gigs’ you might see on my socials in this episode, A Drummer's Guide To... In-Between The Big Gigs
🎧 So if you’d like to hear more, and if you’d like to lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then look for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and youtube
---If you'd like early access to future podcast episodes, join the patreon: https://www.patreon.com/emilydrums---
#ADrummersGuideTo #Podcast #promusicians #musicianproblems #musiciansofig #sessionmusician #musicianlifestyle #sessiondrummer #musiceducation #musicianslife #behindthescenes #musicindustry #professionalmusician #drummer #drums #drumming #lessons #drumlesson #drumlessons #remoterecording #homestudio #remotesession #productivity #ama #askmeanything
Saturday Oct 12, 2024
Saturday Oct 12, 2024
🚨 If you’re a musician looking to get on a named gig, then this may be for you!
🎙 If you’re a musician wanting to get some intel on HOW to actually get on a tour with an artist people have actually heard of, then check out my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To… How I Got My Gigs
🧐 In this episode I go through how I got on the radar of the various artists I’ve worked for, to give you some intel to bring into your own journey.
😖 I’m not gonna lie, I felt weird doing this episode, cause it could be seen as a bit ‘look at me, look at who I’ve worked with’, but I had a moment of overriding that insecurity, to hopefully bring you some useful information that you can implement.
😌 Also, if you’re well on your way, it may be useful in giving you some solace that if you’re doing the same, it does work… but it sometimes takes time and patience (a virtue I struggle with!)
🎧 So if this sounds good to you, and if you’d like to lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then look for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and youtube
---If you'd like early access to future podcast episodes, join the patreon: https://www.patreon.com/emilydrums--- #ADrummersGuideTo #Podcast #promusicians #musicianproblems #musiciansofig #sessionmusician #musicianlifestyle #sessiondrummer #musiceducation #musicianslife #behindthescenes #musicindustry #professionalmusician #drummer #drums #drumming #lessons #drumlesson #drumlessons #remoterecording #homestudio #remotesession #productivity #ama #askmeanything
Saturday Oct 05, 2024
Saturday Oct 05, 2024
🚨 If you’re a musician who is lost on what you should be posting on Instagram, then this is for you!
🙋♀️ Are you struggling to know what to post on Insta, are you overwhelmed, are you unmotivated or just are thinking ‘what’s the point?!?!’ then check out my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To… Instagram
💪 For me, I see using Instagram as my personal marketting platform that I get to ‘speak’ to my ideal follower, with a view to them becoming the ideal musician, artist, or student I get to work with!
1️⃣ So first things first, WHO are you posting for?
🤔 Posting for other musicians who play the same instrument as you for ‘clout’ as it were is fine, but musicians who may want to hire you probably won’t be interested that you can play through all the permutations of a paradiddle cycling through each note as an accent and hitting all the subdivisions on a practice pad! #IYKYK
2️⃣ WHY are you using Instagram?
🧐 If you’re using it to get more work as a session musician? As an artist in your own right? As a teacher? These are all very different reasons, require different content to reach very different goals. These answers should lead you to…
3️⃣ WHAT should you post?
🤓 Here’s the ‘formula’ I use when working out what to post:
(Who is it for + Why are you using it) x (allowing people to know, like and trust you)
👍 Then, create content within the context of this formula such as:
🔥 Showcasing your skills
🔥 Showcasing your personality
🔥 Showcasing your schedule… everybody loves a busy person, so show you’re in demand!
🫶 In my experience is the most rich way to build connections and have clients coming to you in the most aligned way.
👀 Also, for a laugh, here’s my first ‘to camera’ piece:
🎙 If you’d like to hear some real life examples of how to and NOT to do Instagram, then check out my episode A Drummer's Guide To... Instagram
🎧 …and if you’d like to lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then look for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and youtube
Saturday Sep 28, 2024
Saturday Sep 28, 2024
😥 If you want to eliminate burnout, then this is for you!
🎙 If you’re a musician who is suffering with feeling burnt out, then check out my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To… Burnout!
😬 In this episode I go into how I tackle my endless battle with burnout as my body and mind seem to be in a constant battle with each other! And fun fact, it’s another real-time situation as I was suffering whilst recording this episode!
🤔 My recovery plan when dealing with burnout is:
1️⃣ I only tackle ONE essential thing every day and ONLY do it for a MAXIMUM of 3 hours concentrating on it.
2️⃣ Healthy stuff like eating well and exercising, but not overdoing it… at the moment boxing twice a week seems to be working for me… hopefully I can up it soon 👀
3️⃣ Self-Care and Compassion, aka listening to my body, allowing myself to rest, and not beating myself up if I’m not able to do everything I want or need… perfection is not the goal here, kindness is.
👀 So if this resonates with you and you want to find out more about what I do to deal with burnout, then listen to my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To... Burnout
🎧 …and if you’d like to lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then look for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and youtube
Saturday Sep 14, 2024
Saturday Sep 14, 2024
👀 Are you ready for a pro gig?
🧐 Are you ready for that audition?
😳 Are you ready to tour?
😵💫 Are you ready for recording sessions?
🎙 Musicians! If you want to know if you’re ready to get on a pro gig then check out my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To… (Are You) Pro Gig Ready?
💪 Here’s how I get as ready as possible for a gig, tour or session, and I’ll never feel 100%, but here’s my process:
1️⃣ Learn the material
2️⃣ Research past performances for live work (if they exist)
3️⃣ Ask about the mechanics of the gig, like how the gig runs, what it entails, any peripheral skills you may need, and find out any important information
4️⃣ Do the work! Record yourself and listen back (of course!), film yourself and watch back (if applicable), get those peripheral skills up to scratch
5️⃣ Get your fitness levels up, especially if you’re heading on the road, and try to maintain it whilst on the road. Callisthenics is a great shout on that front 💪
🎧 If you’d like to delve further into how to be ready for a pro gig, then check out my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To... (are you) Pro Gig Ready?
👀 and if you’d like to lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then look for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and youtube
---If you'd like early access to future podcast episodes, join the patreon: https://www.patreon.com/emilydrums---
#ADrummersGuideTo #Podcast #promusicians #musicianproblems #musiciansofig #sessionmusician #musicianlifestyle #sessiondrummer #musiceducation #musicianslife #behindthescenes #musicindustry #professionalmusician #drummer #drums #drumming #lessons #drumlesson #drumlessons #remoterecording #homestudio #remotesession #productivity #ama #askmeanything
Saturday Sep 07, 2024
Saturday Sep 07, 2024
Is what you believe holding you back?
Are you a musician that has certain beliefs about yourself or others and what you should be doing to move your career forward?
Ellusive I know, well in my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To... Common (Mis)Beliefs I address topics that seem to be coming up again and again in my one on one coaching sessions, and let me tell you, they’re not only not serving my students, they’re actually undermining them and creating unnecessary barriers in moving themselves forward, and I’d like to share them with you too.
The three most common I seem to be coming across are:
‘If I could be as good as ‘that person’ then I can have a successful career’
‘If I just keep posting consistently on social media, then musicians and artists will be reaching out to me left, right and Chelsea’
‘I don’t want to play other musician’s parts, I just want to play what I want to play!’
If any of those statements resonate with you on any level (and I apologise if you’re uncomfortable right now) then maybe it would be worth watching or listening to A Drummer's Guide To... Common (mis)Conceptions.
And if you want to lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then look for A Drummer's Guide To... on YouTube and all good podcasting platforms.
Saturday Aug 31, 2024
Saturday Aug 31, 2024
😵💫 How good are you at saying no?
😬 Are you a musician that feels they have to say yes to everything, leading to overwhelm, burnout and just generally bad mental health?
🫵 If the answer is yes, then my podcast episode A Drummer's Guide To... Saying No might be for you
🙋♀️ Personally, saying no is something I struggled with for DECADES! I just couldn’t say no to things through mainly fear of missing an opportunity, so I guess FOMAO!
💪 As I progressed, I realised i can’t do all the things, I’m just one person, so it became more about saying yes to the RIGHT things that would move the needle in terms of skills, exposure, or just paying my bills!
🧐 These days, I look for certain markers that inform me as to whether I’ve said yes too much, and taken on more than I can handle, and I take action on that.
🚨 Then it becomes about looking at what I’m doing, and asking myself:
1️⃣ Is this serving my overall goals in life?
2️⃣ Is this moving the needle towards where I want to go? Am I gaining new skills? Is this a new group of people? etc
3️⃣ Is there another less intense way I can get a similar result?
🎙️ If you want to learn more about not just when to say no, but HOW to say no, and lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then search for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and youtube
---If you'd like early access to future podcast episodes, join the patreon: https://www.patreon.com/emilydrums---
#ADrummersGuideTo #Podcast #promusicians #musicianproblems #musiciansofig #sessionmusician #musicianlifestyle #sessiondrummer #musiceducation #musicianslife #behindthescenes #musicindustry #professionalmusician #drummer #drums #drumming #lessons #drumlesson #drumlessons #remoterecording #homestudio #remotesession #productivity #ama #askmeanything
Saturday Aug 24, 2024
Saturday Aug 24, 2024
😩 I can’t be a professional musician because…
🤔 What’s the end of that sentence for you?
🎙 If you have a solid belief that something is holding you back from being a professional musician, then my podcast episode, A Drummer's Guide To... Professional Musician Myths is for you!
🙅♀️ I debunk some of the most common (mis)beliefs I come across with my students and give you evidence for why they just aren’t true! Here are some of the most common:
1️⃣ You have to be a flashy player with lots of chops.
❌ Absolutely NOT! As a session musician we are there to provide a service to the artist, their music and their fans, and the parts need to played, not overplayed and ruined!
2️⃣ You can only take on gigs firmly within your wheelhouse of skills.
❌ Nah. Whilst it’s great to lean into your strengths, it’s also important to always be pushing your boundaries and taking on a gig that is slightly on the edge of your comfort zone can make you grow in ways you may not have felt possible. That’s my experience at least!
3️⃣ You need expensive flashy gear.
❌ Absolutely not! The only thing you need are the tools to get the job done! Just get enough to get started and then build from there. The way you utilise the tools you have is waaaaayyyy more important! My rule is: Start with the end in mind.
4️⃣ Looking to others for what is possible.
❌ Everyone has their own biases, unhelpful beliefs, helpful beliefs, experiences, etc etc etc that govern what they believe is possible, but don’t take that on as your own experience.
Develop your own compass to not only work out where you want to be, but be very cautious about other people’s reasons for telling you if something is/isn’t possible (they may be positive, i.e trying to protect you) and seek out those that have successfully done what you’re trying to do and ask about their experience…
Just always know it’s their experience, and use it if it serves you to create your own.
🎧 If you want to learn more about these myths and lift the curtain further on all the other things it takes to be a professional musician, aside from playing your instrument, then look for A Drummer's Guide To... on all good podcasting platforms and youtube
---If you'd like early access to future podcast episodes, join the patreon: https://www.patreon.com/emilydrums---
#ADrummersGuideTo #Podcast #promusicians #musicianproblems #musiciansofig #sessionmusician #musicianlifestyle #sessiondrummer #musiceducation #musicianslife #behindthescenes #musicindustry #professionalmusician #drummer #drums #drumming #lessons #drumlesson #drumlessons #remoterecording #homestudio #remotesession #productivity #ama #askmeanything