Watch, Listen and Learn: My Visit to the Pit of Back to the Future-The Musical
Seeing Musicians Perform Live Will Teach You More Than Any YouTube Video
A few months ago, I had the chance to see my colleague Rodney Howard play drums for Back to the Future: The Musical. If you’ve never heard of Rodney, put him on your radar now. He’s an incredible drummer who’s played with a variety of top-tier artists, including Gavin DeGraw, Avril Lavigne, Regina Spektor, and more. Not only was Rodney a guest on the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast, but he’s also one of those players you can learn a ton from just by watching and listening.
At the time, there was a slim chance I might sub for him, so I took the opportunity to hang out in the pit with him and soak it all in. Unfortunately, shortly after that visit, Rodney got a closing notice for Back To The Future, so the subbing opportunity didn’t pan out. But honestly, it didn’t matter in the long run. Just being there and watching Rodney do his thing was like getting a free masterclass in drumming.
Here’s the main takeaway: Listen to learn. There’s no learning without listening.
When you watch other musicians play, whether it’s in a pit, on a stage, or in a club, there’s always something to learn. You don’t even have to be sitting behind a kit yourself—just listening and observing can teach you so much.
Rodney’s pit setup was seriously inspiring. Let me tell you, his drum corner looked more like a stylish NYC apartment than a typical Broadway drum cube. I’ always thought my setup for Ain’t Too Proud was comfortable with a faux-‘70s vibe, but Rodney’s spot had me rethinking everything. Right in the middle of his cozy, well-decorated corner was his massive drum set, meticulously tuned and looking pristine.
Check out Rodney’s setup (from his Instagram):
Speaking of tuning, Rodney’s attention to detail was on another level. His toms sounded incredible—so perfectly tuned that they sang. He even showed me an app he uses to get the tension right on each lug. (Yes, I took notes.) I asked him about his drumheads, his sticks, and his overall setup. Am I going to go home and change my entire rig to match his? Probably not. But did I learn some tricks I’ll carry into future gigs? Absolutely. That’s the beauty of watching other pros at work—you never know what small changes might elevate your own playing.
Then there was his actual playing. Let me tell you, the way Rodney nailed the groove for “Johnny B. Goode” gave me chills. If you listen to the original Chuck Berry recording, you’ll notice the rhythm section has this subtle swing feel while Chuck plays his guitar straight. That tension creates a unique pocket. (Side note: why was it played like that? Turns out it’s because the band came from a jazz and swing background, while Chuck was pushing music into rock and roll.) Rodney captured that feel authentically; it was just one of the many grooves he played to perfection throughout the show.
This whole experience reminded me of something every musician should hear: You can learn from everyone and everything around you. Whether it’s the way someone tunes their drums, their stick choice, or even their setup aesthetics, there’s always something to take away.
Yes, YouTube is great, but it’s no substitute for the experience of connecting in person. When you’re live in the moment, you pick up on nuances you’d never notice through a screen. Plus, face-to-face interactions build stronger relationships—whether it’s a fellow musician, a music director, or even just someone in the audience.
So here’s my challenge to you: get out there. Go see live music. Watch your peers play. Ask questions. Be curious. And above all, listen. You’ll be amazed at how much you can learn by showing up and paying attention.
Thanks, Rodney, for letting me hang in the pit and for the invaluable “lesson” that day. You’re a master musician, and I’ll always appreciate the chance to watch you in action.
As I often say, "Busy is good, but don't get too busy to take care of BUSINESS". And I'm sadly late in taking care of the business of thanking you for this flattering entry in Broadway Drumming 101! I love the way you framed it and sad we never got the chance to get you in. Thanks Clayton!