TAP TAP CLASH are the sounds that senior Tim Slimp loves. For four years his passion for drumming has grown. It all started when Mr. McNiel first introduced him to the drums his freshman year.
“At first I didn’t want to play the drums,” Tim said. “I would just look at them.”
Participating in Jazz Band helped to teach him important skills like sticking technique and grooving.
“He was very timid and very unsure at first,” said Band Director Eric McNiel. “He was very unrefined but he took it upon himself to do better. He asked me question after question. We even went to my office and looked up YouTube videos to help him with new techniques.”
McNiel spent hours with Tim to make him his best. He wants Tim to be a well rounded drummist to help out in the future.
“He turned out to be a monster,” said McNiel. “That is the best compliment there is.”
Eventually he got the hang of it and it grew on him. He even played in a couple bands like Anastasis and Adfinem Fi. Then one day Tim’s friend Joel Hinson persuaded him to join the Guitar Center Drum Off and cam in at third.
“The contest involved a three minute drum solo,” said Tim. “It’s all you in front of three judges.”
Tim’s friends have high hopes for the future.
“I think he’s pretty good,” said fellow senior Franklin Killen. “He probably practices a lot.”
The contest took place in a Guitar Center Store. In order to participate in the contest the competitors performed on a 5-piece drum kit complete with hardware, cymbals, cowbell and throne. The only personal piece of equipment they were allowed to use were drumsticks, bass pedal, drum throne or snare drum. It involved a three minute solo with no real beat to go by. Drummers from around Texas area competed against Tim.
“I could have been more versatile and grooved better,” said Tim.
So far this is the only drumming contest he has entered, but plans on competing in the future.
“I like the experience and meeting other drummers,” Tim said.
Tim plans on taking his skills into the future with a minor in music when he goes to college and possibly play in a band one day.
