"Circus Drumming" - Patrick Carmichael

This was something completely new to me.

Jan 18, 2023

An old colleague and friend, Patrick Carmichael, asked me to sub for him this year at the Big Apple Circus in the fall of 2022. I had no idea what to expect. I may have seen a circus twice in my entire life and had no clue what kind of music the musicians working in this environment played. After I watched Patrick play, I was pleasantly surprised! Not only is the music fun to play, but it's also challenging and incredibly creative.

Playing drums for The Big Apple Circus requires a high level of skill and coordination and the ability to keep a steady groove and adapt to different music styles. You are responsible for providing the rhythmic foundation for the various acts, such as acrobatic performances, animal acts, and clown routines.

One of the unique challenges of playing drums for the circus was the need for adaptability and flexibility. The show featured several tunes that involved many music styles and changes in tempos, and as the drummer, I was required to switch between them quickly. There are also several moments where the drummer must be prepared for unexpected changes or improvisations. This gig involves a lot of physical stamina and the ability to perform under pressure. It's often fast-paced and demanding, and there are times when you're playing for long periods without a break.

In the show, there is a song where the clown is on a sway pole, and you have to improvise the entire tune but watch his antics and respond musically with sounds from the drums. When you watch Patrick play this part of the show, you'll notice him not only playing the electronic kit; he's reading the music, listening to the band members, listening to the click, and also watching the performer in the center of the ring to make sure he catches the crashes when she catches a hoop. It's intense yet creatively rewarding.

In the title, I put circus drumming in quotes. Some may see it as a particular type of drumming or in its own category. There is some truth to that, but...if you have many years of experience playing various styles of music in multiple settings, are a great musician who plays well with others in a smaller band setting, is flexible, creative, can improvise, listens well, buries a click track and can watch a performer and follow them when they are performing, you can be a "circus drummer" too!

Those requirements eliminate many drummers. Again, playing at the circus can be challenging.

It's also nerve-wracking, to me, at least! Watching acrobats, tightrope walkers, the trapeze artist…I think I was more afraid than they were!

Check out the video above and try to follow along. See if you can catch the crashes when the performer catches the hoops. It ain’t easy.

Patrick is an amazing drummer, a cool guy and also an inventor as well! Check this out:

A handy device for drummers that prevents the bass drum and hi-hat from sliding away. Drum Security at its finest! visit www.trapstrap.com for more info:

"Circus Drumming" - Patrick Carmichael

This was something completely new to me.

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