Being and becoming a professional drummer

There is general agreement that a musician’s working life is complex and diverse, incorporating various activities that require lifelong learning. Drummers tend to engage in a variety of activities in the musical environment, and can be found accompanying singers, instrumental bands, recording in the studio, teaching, among others. Although the concept of musician is still strongly linked to aspects of performance (BENNETT, 2008), the literature points to a multifaceted career that is moulded through experiences and opportunities that arise during a musician’s professional career. With this in mind, some questions guide this study, seeking to understand: how do drummers perceive their professional identity? How do they learn their craft? And what factors influence the perception of their professional identity? This book discusses the identity and learning of drummers based on their own experiences, making notes on what could be glimpsed with regard to the phenomenon of being and becoming a professional drummer.