And yeah, a lot of drummers are animals and have only 1 volume.
Back when I played with Rob on drums, we got into situations where we really needed him to pull back. But his clock couldn't handle it.
I think it's kinda like that tempo "valley" that gives me trouble- if you don't practice in those specific areas in which you're not naturally comfortable in, you just can't play in those 'spaces', and retain your control.
Come to think of it, I've played with about 8 drummers, and only 1 or 2 had good dynamics, able to play quieter across the board, as opposed to just in certain sections of the song, if needed.
My own belief is that the nature of rock music being
generally simple, affords many of us to reach a certain level, go out and start a band, and forget about continuing to practice, as a means to eventually be able to tick all/most of the "boxes."
When I was advancing as a clarinet player, every new piece of music I had to learn for my private lessons came with entirely new challenges. And then there were 'musicianship tests', increasingly difficult, that focused on many more things beyond just being a good player. One part I remember getting to, (at about the time I quit), was ear training, where you had to be able to identify, by ear, 2-note intervals, first played separately, then together.
I got through the 'separate' part by tying those intervals to opening notes of popular songs (e.g.,
some where over the rainbow...), but played together...?
I just don't see that sort of correlation with the music that I assume most of "us" play. And to be completely fair, it's certainly not
needed to be successful as a musician, using whatever definition of 'success' you desire.
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