The Story of How A Drummer Lost His Fingers But Still Keeps Playing
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In 1988, I was a high school sophomore with big dreams of someday playing the drums professionally. That dream came true—for a time. In a freak accident on my 20th birthday, I severed two fingers on my right hand and almost lost my life. My drumming career abruptly ended.
Fortunately, that nightmare led to new opportunities, including speaking engagements and writing columns for trade publications covering the music industry.
Here’s how this challenging event shaped my life in ways I never expected. With raw honesty and humor, here are 10 things you won’t read about me in any press release or Wikipedia entry…
The Secret Fraternity of Drummers Without Fingers
A few years after my accident, I discovered that there was a secret fraternity of drummers who had lost fingers or were born without them. The bond that we shared with each other had to be experienced to be understood. I learned that when you lose several fingers, you lose the ability to grip a stick.
No matter how hard you try, it becomes nearly impossible to hold a drumstick. As a result, drummers who’ve lost fingers end up playing with soft mallets.
These are small and innocuous-looking, but they pack a powerful punch. Drummers who play with soft mallets have to learn how to play harder than they ever dreamed possible. While they are less visible than drummers with fully functioning hands, they have just as much to contribute to the music business.
Why I Broke All of My Fingers at Once
After graduating from high school, I formed a band with some friends and started booking gigs around town. Soon after, we were asked to open for a legendary band that was touring the area. When we arrived at the venue, I discovered that the band we were opening for had hired a 22-year-old drummer who was being billed as the “future of rock and roll.” This guy was the real deal.
He had the presence, power, and skills to back up that bold claim. He was phenomenal—and I was blown away. In his drum solo, this drummer used a technique that he’d borrowed from jazz drummers. He played a high-speed phrase that ends with an abrupt and dramatic stop.
How I Played Drums With No Fingers
A few years later, I was playing drums with a local band while attending college. During a gig, I suddenly lost the ability to stop playing. I kept going and going… My bandmates managed to slam on their guitars and bass and hold the rest of the song together until I realized what was happening and stopped playing. At first, I didn’t understand what had happened.
Then I realized that my hand was swollen and throbbing. I’d broken a finger and had no idea how it happened. I was too busy playing to know that something had gone terribly wrong.
How I Learned to Live With no Fingers
After multiple surgeries, I found myself at home without the ability to play drums and living off disability payments. This was painful for me, but it was far worse for my parents who had patiently supported me during my drumming years. Luckily, my parents were extremely supportive, so we made the best of what was a very bad situation.
That’s when I discovered the power of words. I’d been a voracious reader since childhood, but I’d never considered writing as a career. After reading a few books on writing and taking a creative writing class at a local college, I started a column for a music trade publication. That led to writing my first book.
Then, something remarkable happened. I was contacted by a publisher who had seen something special in my work. They wanted me to write an inspirational book. I was stunned. My life had taken an unexpected direction, but it was leading me to a place where I needed to be.
Life as a Musician with No Fingers
Life as a drummer who couldn’t drum was lonely. I missed the camaraderie of a band and the feeling of being part of a creative team. I also missed the sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing that you’ve done the best job possible.
This is where the soft mallet comes into play. I practiced with the mallet, and it led me to new and unexpected places. I started to feel comfortable playing with my left hand. Soon, I was able to play again.
Why You Should Break Your Fingers Before Becoming a Drummer
If you’re serious about becoming a drummer, you need to break at least a couple of your fingers on both hands. The best way to do this is to play with soft mallets and ignore your bad habits. The pain you’ll feel is nothing compared to the amount of progress you’ll make. You need to break your fingers to learn how to play hard with soft mallets.
When you regain the ability to play hard, you’ll be able to do things with your hands that can only be described as magical. Breaking fingers isn’t pretty. It’s bloody and painful, but it’s the only way to learn how to play hard. It’s crucial that you ignore the pain and keep going until you’ve broken the bad habits that are holding you back.
This experience taught me that success isn’t about titles or degrees. It’s about making a difference and leaving your mark.
My college degree was in English, but I was making a living as a musician and a writer. My work had been featured in a few national magazines, and I was making a name for myself in the music industry. We all have a unique path, and you don’t need a fancy degree or a high-profile job to be successful. Success is about making a difference and leaving your mark on this world.
Everyone has bad days. Don’t let them destroy your life.
Bad days happen in life, but don’t let them destroy your life. Instead, use those bad days to learn from your mistakes and grow stronger as a person. Bad days happen to everyone, but they don’t have to define you.
Bottom line: Don’t let anyone else write your story — no matter how badly you may want them to!
The words you use, the actions you take, and the path you choose to lead your life—they’re all up to you. Nobody else can write your story for you. This is your life, so make the most of it. Don’t let others tell you how you should feel, what you should be doing, or how you can make your life better. Bad days happen, but they don’t last forever. Tomorrow is a new day, and you have the power to make it a better one.
Final Words
Writing this article has been incredibly cathartic for me. It’s allowed me to reflect on the challenges of my past and celebrate my successes. Writing is a form of therapy that can help you process your emotions and learn from your past. You don’t have to be a professional writer to benefit from this type of self-reflection. Just start writing!
The End