# Percussion Recognition

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/percussion-recognition/309>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [November 27, 1999, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/percussion-recognition/309 "1999-11-27T00:13:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**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/309/1 "1999-11-27T00:13:00Z")

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[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.

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**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/309/2 "1999-11-27T07:39:00Z")

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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.