notes on drumming, music, and life

i love miles davis. and writing. here's a piece i wrote after watching a miles davis DVD followed by a peter eskine video on drumming . i especially like miles' advice on performing (see quote):

always relaxed, shoulders back, arms at my side,
ride steady quarter note
simple and solid, straight 4/4--the skeleton of western music
everything is timekeeping--here's my signature:
comfortable, confident, competent disciple of expression and natural freedom
feeling the vibe from the floor to the ceiling
keeping it open to creativity--try to make music feel as good as it can be
now breathe--go with the flow--trust in yourself, subconscious tempo
sing some slow, some fast, and in the middle
motion and movement, subdivision, space...
not a trace of doubt from the starting count
what you put in you get out!
downbeat: clean -- groove: smooth
fast track heel up attack approve
make them move--that's your m.o.
heads bobbin', hips shakin', tappin' their toes in time
to the primary pulse, persistent, persuasive pattern
cymbals ring like saturn, bright like the moon
send sonic signals throughout the room
critics may boo--"play through it--there's only two vibes:"
onstage and in the crowd--radiate heat all around
symbiotic sound--the give and the take--can't fake when an audience reciprocates
reverberate, resonate rhythm, learn how to listen, perfect your precision
maintenance--the daily routine--relationships also need proper hygiene
for good health, longevity: don't take life too seriously!
we're all here for a good time, not a long time
improvise--instant composition of
brain, of heart, of your imagination
elasticity--interplay
always compose when you play.