Musicians on DTF

[King Postwhore]

I played.  Not as much anymore but I appreciate everything DT does.

[drumguy32]

I'm a drummer who first encountered DT as "Majesty" when I was given a cassette copy of their demo by their by that time, ex-singer, Chris Collins who was trying out for a band I was in. Been a fan ever since.

[Zook]

If you are not a musician, I am curious to what draws you to DT.  Also, does their technical prowess impress you? 

I don't know if programming drums makes me a musician, but if not, what draws me to DT is how awesome they are. The songs, the metal, the melody. I am impressed by their skill, but what really draws me in is that they just make awesome music.

[Global Laziness]

I'm a drummer who first encountered DT as "Majesty" when I was given a cassette copy of their demo by their by that time, ex-singer, Chris Collins who was trying out for a band I was in. Been a fan ever since.

Whoa...I think you might be the oldest fan here, then.

[drumguy32]

I'm a drummer who first encountered DT as "Majesty" when I was given a cassette copy of their demo by their by that time, ex-singer, Chris Collins who was trying out for a band I was in. Been a fan ever since.

Whoa...I think you might be the oldest fan here, then.

Close perhaps! I think it was circa 1987 or 88!

[krands85]

I'm not a musician - I've had a fairly basic keyboard for years, but it was always just to mess around on and I only ever learned to play the simplest of tunes, I couldn't read music or anything like that. Hardly use it now either. I enjoy singing though, but I'm not particularly good at it.

I don't really know anything about musical theory either. What I do know is that I love Dream Theater I can obviously recognise each members proficiency in their individual field, but I guess other musicians would be able to appreciate the band/songs in different ways that I can't.

I don't think you have to be musical to really enjoy listening to the band though and I don't see how I could love them anymore, even if I became a really skilled keyboard/guitar player or whatever.

[Bone_Daddy]

Musician here. I started playing piano and percussion at the age of 11 in '86 and have never looked back since. I played my first drum solo in Dixieland band and I remember the band teacher saying: " I should have seen that coming.". Time signature was mainly 4/4, 3/4, 6/8, 7/8 and cut time for marching.  After getting into Rush, the time signature library expanded. Once hearing Dream Theater and Tool, I could really appreciate their compositions.

I compose my own music (soundtrack, prog rock, rock, breakbeat, jazz, and house). And there are times where I'm inspired by a few tracks of DT.

[Lowdz]

I "play" guitar, and I quote it because I know nothing about music theory and I really just know how to play certain songs and how to improvise in a couple of scales. Not much of a musician here so I don't think it impacts my appreciation of music.

This. Although I do know enough to tell a great musician from an average one. I got into DT in part because I love instrumental skill. Even when I was listening to the Shrapnel guitarists in the late 80s I think I knew a good one from the "rest".

[ubit]

84% so far.  Stunning, yet I feel I could have guessed 75% or higher would be the result.  Certain bands just tend to draw musicians.  If you did this same poll on a Green Day forum, I suspect that the results would be indicative of the percentage of the national population who are musicians, and not a bit higher.  Then again, they may have a lower amount simply because many musicians would stray away from bands like that.  Who knows?

[Vajra]

I'm a drummer who first encountered DT as "Majesty" when I was given a cassette copy of their demo by their by that time, ex-singer, Chris Collins who was trying out for a band I was in. Been a fan ever since.

Mind=blown

[Global Laziness]

I'm a drummer who first encountered DT as "Majesty" when I was given a cassette copy of their demo by their by that time, ex-singer, Chris Collins who was trying out for a band I was in. Been a fan ever since.

Whoa...I think you might be the oldest fan here, then.

Close perhaps! I think it was circa 1987 or 88!

Did Collins get the gig?

[Hal Incandenza]

Musician here, sort of.  Played the trumpet into college, was in a music fraternity, and have a minor amount of vocal training.  Music theory is not my strong point, though I get the basics.

[lonestar]

I couldn't play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" on a kazoo, but have been listening to more complex music(Yes, I.Q., Marillion, etc.) my whole life.  Go figure.

[ubit]

I couldn't play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" on a kazoo, but have been listening to more complex music(Yes, I.Q., Marillion, etc.) my whole life.  Go figure.

That's quite remarkable.

Do you find yourself in awe at their musicianship? 

Here's why I ask... I do not play guitar, so I do not always recognize a technically challenging guitar solo as accurately as someone who knows how your fingers need to move in order to play certain parts.  In this same light, I wonder how much you can admire their musicianship. 

[lonestar]

I couldn't play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" on a kazoo, but have been listening to more complex music(Yes, I.Q., Marillion, etc.) my whole life.  Go figure.

That's quite remarkable.

Do you find yourself in awe at their musicianship? 

Here's why I ask... I do not play guitar, so I do not always recognize a technically challenging guitar solo as accurately as someone who knows how your fingers need to move in order to play certain parts.  In this same light, I wonder how much you can admire their musicianship. 

I do, and still, sometimes find myself in awe at what they do, yes, but having listened to them since I&W, not to mention listening to Yes since the mid 70's, I also find that I expect that level of musicianship out of said bands.  I think I more often than not find myself let down at the lack of playing ability from other, more mainstream bands.  I guess I'm spoiled.

[ubit]

I couldn't play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" on a kazoo, but have been listening to more complex music(Yes, I.Q., Marillion, etc.) my whole life.  Go figure.

That's quite remarkable.

Do you find yourself in awe at their musicianship? 

Here's why I ask... I do not play guitar, so I do not always recognize a technically challenging guitar solo as accurately as someone who knows how your fingers need to move in order to play certain parts.  In this same light, I wonder how much you can admire their musicianship. 

I do, and still, sometimes find myself in awe at what they do, yes, but having listened to them since I&W, not to mention listening to Yes since the mid 70's, I also find that I expect that level of musicianship out of said bands.  I think I more often than not find myself let down at the lack of playing ability from other, more mainstream bands.  I guess I'm spoiled.

I am also spoiled by these sorts of bands, including Tool, Yes, King Crimson, Hella, The Mars Volta, Oceansize, Pink Floyd, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, etc. 

It makes listening to Lady Gaga unbearable.  Actually, I don't think my aforementioned bands have anything to do with that... 

[mariocalin]

Drums and keyborads! I also create songs that a upload to myspace But I don´t have group to play my songs.

[Scooterfruit]

I'm a professional guitar player, teacher, writer/arranger and singer. Love DT for their musicianship obviously but their music just speaks to me on a  whole other level.

[cookienut]

Drummer here - have been for the last 12 or so years. I love the instrument so much. I didn't know about DT after playing for 3 or so years. After that, my drumming life changed. Basically DT caused me to love the entire prog/metal/rock/fusion genre's.

There's nothing like playing simple beats in 4/4 and just changing things up with polyrythyms. MP's playing (along with obviously Rush and a few other bands) influenced this.

Plus DT's music is very technical but also create mood at the same time. I find DT one of the most technical yet moving bands I have ever listened to.

[N4Player]

Guitarist for 25 years now. I was always aware of Petrucci, but John's (and the rest of the band's) performance on "Live at Budokan" reeled me into Dream Theater and I haven't looked back since. By the same token, lots of friends of mine that don't play have really gotten into them as well. Their vast catalogue and passion for music really has something for everyone IMHO. Speaking as a musician, listening to and playing their music really raises your game. It's a great and rewarding challenge.

[E.S.]

I'm a musician and make a living from it.
Discovering DT was a huge kick in the arse to go home and practice hard. I remember the first time seeing Rudess in some video, playing funny and insane piano stuff. I thought "I wanna be like that guy". A while later it became "I gotta try to NOT sound like that guy".
Influences stick with ya when you're young, sometimes a bit too much. 

DT has been quite the music teacher and an inspiration to go further.

[italianoman]

I've been doing the whole guitar thing for a long time now and I've got my own band but the weird thing is, despite my excessive affinity for Dream Theater and their music and despite the fact that I can play all of it, I never sit down and write anything really prog...more like alt-pop-Radiohead meets overdone outro-guitar solo like my demo 'Time'

[ZirconBlue]

Drummer here

Sorry, this thread is about musicians.   

[ubit]

Drummer here

Sorry, this thread is about musicians.   

Haha.   Don't let Portnoy catch you alive.

[drumguy32]

I'm a drummer who first encountered DT as "Majesty" when I was given a cassette copy of their demo by their by that time, ex-singer, Chris Collins who was trying out for a band I was in. Been a fan ever since.

Whoa...I think you might be the oldest fan here, then.

Close perhaps! I think it was circa 1987 or 88!

Did Collins get the gig?

Yep, he did. He ended up singing on our demo and then we too parted ways with him.. I still see him around pretty often tho..

[ubit]

I'm a drummer who first encountered DT as "Majesty" when I was given a cassette copy of their demo by their by that time, ex-singer, Chris Collins who was trying out for a band I was in. Been a fan ever since.

Whoa...I think you might be the oldest fan here, then.

Close perhaps! I think it was circa 1987 or 88!

Did Collins get the gig?

Yep, he did. He ended up singing on our demo and then we too parted ways with him.. I still see him around pretty often tho..

Wow, he got dumped by everyone, huh?  Why did you part ways?  Was he not what you wanted in terms of personality, or singing ability?

[drumguy32]

I'm a drummer who first encountered DT as "Majesty" when I was given a cassette copy of their demo by their by that time, ex-singer, Chris Collins who was trying out for a band I was in. Been a fan ever since.

Wow, he got dumped by everyone, huh?  Why did you part ways?  Was he not what you wanted in terms of personality, or singing ability?

His vocal ability was never the problem. This was the late 80's and he really had the penultimate Jeff Tate kind of voice with a huge range that was really effortless for him. The problem was more of a personality thing. Let's just say that he and the rest of the band (myself included) had different ideas on how things should be done, and after several shows we parted ways..

[ubit]

His vocal ability was never the problem. This was the late 80's and he really had the penultimate Jeff Tate kind of voice with a huge range that was really effortless for him. The problem was more of a personality thing. Let's just say that he and the rest of the band (myself included) had different ideas on how things should be done, and after several shows we parted ways..

Haha your quotes confused me for a minute there [six quotes for three lines].

That is interesting about Collins though.  Did Majesty part with him for the same reasons, or no?  I'm not too knowledgeable in the history of DT.

[drumguy32]

Sorry - total quote fail on my part. 
I'm not exactly sure why he and Majesty parted ways... similar reasons I'd imagine.

[ubit]

Sorry - total quote fail on my part. 
I'm not exactly sure why he and Majesty parted ways... similar reasons I'd imagine.

I'll tell you what - I don't know the guy, but he seems even more awful than your quote pyramid.   

[drumguy32]

Nah - I think my quote pyramid is worse - I never had a problem with Chris on a personal level.

[Ryzee]

Yes I'm a musician (guitar, I also dabble in bass and consider myself a fair drummer).  I was a musician before discovering DT.  Their technical prowess and musicianship is what initially attracted me to the band, however now I appreciate them for multiple reasons.  One thing I will say is that I think the fact that I'm a player makes me enjoy the instrumental jam sessions the band tends to work into their songs, because I enjoy hearing the guys flex their chops and go nuts!  I've noticed that alot of people on the board do not care for those sections and consider them wanky, unnecessary and irrelevant to the song, but I find them quite entertaining (from an admiration of chops standpoint).  For example, it seems that alot of folks here like Endless Sacrifice the song but do not care for the instrumental section.  I am kind of the opposite, the "song" Endless Sacrifice (verses, choruses, etc.) doesn't do a whole lot for me, but I find the jam section quite entertaining.  Anyone else think that DT's "wanky" interludes might be more enjoyable to fellow players than to general music fans?