The Power of Yellow Drumsticks
It was 14 May 2022, and I was sitting on the sofa with some popcorn, watching the Eurovision Song Contest.
During Finland’s performance, The Rasmus with their song Jezebel, I noticed the drummer was using yellow drumsticks. (In hindsight, I wonder if they were actually yellow or if it was just the lighting.)
Out of nowhere, I blurted out, “I want yellow drumsticks too.” At that point, I’d never even held a pair of drumsticks before, let alone considered playing drums myself. I just happen to like the colour yellow.
The next day, I found myself online searching for yellow drumsticks. I found some fairly quickly, but as usual, I got distracted and somehow ended up deep in the world of drums on the internet. I was watching videos of drummers, reading about drumsticks on Reddit, and so on.
I ordered a pair of drumsticks, not yellow ones though, as I’d read those tend to stain your hands. Not only that, but I threw in a practice pad while I was at it.
And I was hooked immediately. I was enthusiastically whacking away on the practice pad and a few cushions. Two weeks later, I bought myself an electronic drum kit.
I also started looking into drum lessons. I tried learning online for about a month, but eventually decided to take proper, in-person lessons instead.
I was quite nervous about it, thinking, “Who on earth is going to be interested in teaching a 50-something-year-old beginner?” Total nonsense, of course, but still, I didn’t get the courage to contact a local music school until the end of July.
On 12 August 2022, I had my first trial lesson. I immediately clicked with the drum teacher, so I signed up straight away.
Now I have a half-hour lesson every two weeks, and I’ve had ten so far.
I practise every day. Sometimes with loads of joy, sometimes with a bit of frustration (because it’s not exactly easy), but I absolutely love it.
And yes, I did eventually get my yellow drumsticks. A birthday gift from my husband.
