# Percussion Recognition

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/percussion-recognition/1337>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [November 27, 1999, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/percussion-recognition/1337 "1999-11-27T00:13:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![keystream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a3d4f5/32.png) [@keystream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keystream)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 1999, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/percussion-recognition/1337/1 "1999-11-27T00:13:00Z")

</div>

[cheering]  
Kudos Ian!  
[/cheering]

It’s nice to have someone appreciate percussionists. I was one for many years (my specialty was mallets, but I did my share of auxiliary work) and everybody always thinks it’s so easy. The concept is best demonstrated by the old joke:

Q: What do you call a guy who likes to hang out with musicians?

A: A drummer.

They’re all so jealous it’s disgusting.

Anyway, I just wanted to say “thank you” for showing the TM the truth on this particualr issue.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cooper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@Cooper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cooper)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 1999, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/percussion-recognition/1337/2 "1999-11-27T07:39:00Z")

</div>

I think this is out of place as far as far as the message board you should be using (should be in mailbag answers, right?) but anyway I have to agree.

Although I play guitar and have made the same joke you quoted, the truth is I am always blown away by a really talented drummer. They kick ass harder than anyone else. And I love all the ‘axilliary’ percussion that you hear throughout much of Zappa’s work - it adds so much character and personality. I also know from experience that it is really hard to do! I’ll stick with my fret-board thanks.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 1999, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/percussion-recognition/1337/3 "1999-11-28T01:15:00Z")

</div>

[http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mtriangle.html](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mtriangle.html) Mailbag column by Ian.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![AuraSeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@AuraSeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuraSeer)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 1999, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/percussion-recognition/1337/4 "1999-11-28T05:28:00Z")

</div>

Q: How do you tell when the stage is perfectly level?  
A: The drummer drools out both sides of his mouth.

=B^)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ian\_Rey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/77aa72/32.png) [@Ian\_Rey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ian_Rey)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 1999, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/percussion-recognition/1337/5 "1999-11-28T16:16:00Z")

</div>

My favorite percussion joke is:

How can you tell if there’s a drummer knocking on your door?

He’s rushing.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![metroshane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@metroshane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/metroshane)\
**Post date:** [November 29, 1999, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/percussion-recognition/1337/6 "1999-11-29T23:43:00Z")

</div>

what do you call a drummer without a girlfriend? homeless! (rimshot please)

really, i think percussion is awesome (i play guitar)especially the timbales.

* * *

We live in an age that reads to much to be wise, and thinks too much to be beautiful–Oscar Wilde