--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never professed to be a great drummer…" description: "\"I never professed to be a great drummer but I was a very heavy drummer.\" — Dave Clark" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c27/dave-clark-10310_drummer_i-never-professed-to-be-a-great-drummer_2872127.jpg" --- # I never professed to be a great drummer but I was a very… ![“I never professed to be a great drummer but I was a very heavy drummer.” quote by Dave Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c27/dave-clark-10310_drummer_i-never-professed-to-be-a-great-drummer_2872127.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c27/dave-clark-10310_drummer_i-never-professed-to-be-a-great-drummer_2872127.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c27/dave-clark-10310_drummer_i-never-professed-to-be-a-great-drummer_2872127.jpg) > “I never professed to be a great drummer but I was a very heavy drummer.” [Dave Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Admits not being a great drummer, yet acknowledges a heavy, impactful style. **In simple terms:** Not great, but heavy drumming style. Key Takeaway Embrace strengths despite limitations. Themes music self‑assessment style Mood humble motivational Type music personal When to use this quote - band rehearsals - music production - live performance - teaching drumming Key Concepts drumming technique personal branding musical impact Questions to Reflect On - How does acknowledging limits affect growth? - What defines “heavy” in drumming? A Different Perspective Self‑deprecation may undervalue skill. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Drummer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drummer/) ## Related quotes > [When I say I had a cosmic confidence that we were capable of writing good music, I'm speaking about that time when we met…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-banks/when-i-say-i-had-a-cosmic-confidence-that-we-were-capable-of-writing/) [Paul Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-banks/) > [Probably for drums, a guy I really enjoyed watching is Simon Phillips. I've seen him play with The Who and with Pete Townshend on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-anthony/probably-for-drums-a-guy-i-really-enjoyed-watching-is-simon-phillips/) [Michael Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-anthony/) > [I don't consider myself a great drummer. I consider myself just a music fan that's a very, very passionate artist, and the drums just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-don-t-consider-myself-a-great-drummer-i-consider-myself-just-a/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [While I absolutely love a great drummer and get tunnel vision listening to drums at a show, a lot of the time I feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oneohtrix-point-never/while-i-absolutely-love-a-great-drummer-and-get-tunnel-vision/) [Oneohtrix Point Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oneohtrix-point-never/) > [I had a really nice association with Richie DeRosa, a great musician, a great drummer and composer and arranger. And I had a number…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gordon/i-had-a-really-nice-association-with-richie-derosa-a-great-musician-a/) [Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gordon/) > [I love the way Pharell is laying down great drum tracks. He is a great drummer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-cameron/i-love-the-way-pharell-is-laying-down-great-drum-tracks-he-is-a-great/) [Matt Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-cameron/) > [Everyone knows Mike Portnoy's reputation. He's a great drummer, and he helped us out in a great time of need. He really helped us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-christ/everyone-knows-mike-portnoy-s-reputation-he-s-a-great-drummer-and-he/) [Johnny Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-christ/) > [To me, a great drummer isn't always about somebody with chops who can shred. A great drummer is someone who is part of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/to-me-a-great-drummer-isn-t-always-about-somebody-with-chops-who-can/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [You don't have to be a great drummer to be the most important guy in the band.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/you-don-t-have-to-be-a-great-drummer-to-be-the-most-important-guy-in/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I don't want people to think that I think I'm this great drummer because, to me, I'm just a kid playing drums, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-don-t-want-people-to-think-that-i-think-i-m-this-great-drummer/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [“That was the thing about Joy Division: writing the songs was dead easy because the group was really balanced; we had a great guitarist,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hook/that-was-the-thing-about-joy-division-writing-the-songs-was-dead-easy/) [Peter Hook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hook/) > [We were the first group where the drummer was the front man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/we-were-the-first-group-where-the-drummer-was-the-front-man/) [Dave Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/) > [I've grown as a person. The dynamics on this set are very demanding because we work a lot of hours, it's very sad material,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-rohm/i-ve-grown-as-a-person-the-dynamics-on-this-set-are-very-demanding/) [Elisabeth Rohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-rohm/) > [My motivation for being a good drummer was born out of fear, which, in a way, seems so antithetical to what art should be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damien-chazelle/my-motivation-for-being-a-good-drummer-was-born-out-of-fear-which-in/) [Damien Chazelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damien-chazelle/) > [I usually write from the rhythm section...If a drummer got a funky beat on some things - like a half-shuffle or a shuffle or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/i-usually-write-from-the-rhythm-section-if-a-drummer-got-a-funky-beat/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) ## More by Dave Clark > [No, I don't think rock 'n' roll will ever fade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/no-i-don-t-think-rock-n-roll-will-ever-fade/) [Dave Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/) > [I bought the rights to 'Ready, Steady, Go!' several years ago because I didn't want the segments to be chopped up and sold off.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/i-bought-the-rights-to-ready-steady-go-several-years-ago-because-i/) [Dave Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/) > [I never wanted to do a documentary or write a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/i-never-wanted-to-do-a-documentary-or-write-a-book/) [Dave Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/) > [I don't think you'd say we'd be rivals because we've got a completely different line-up to The Beatles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/i-don-t-think-you-d-say-we-d-be-rivals-because-we-ve-got-a-completely/) [Dave Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/) > [What makes it all worth-while is what I've been able to do for my parents. They were poor and worked all their lives. Like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/what-makes-it-all-worth-while-is-what-i-ve-been-able-to-do-for-my/) [Dave Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/) > [I date fairly often, but my work is much more important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/i-date-fairly-often-but-my-work-is-much-more-important/) [Dave Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/) > [The Dave Clark Five was basically a live band. 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I never knew that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/freddie-mercury-said-years-later-that-he-got-the-idea-for-we-will/) [Dave Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/) > [I thought I should have a Rolls, for prestige, so I ordered one. But when it came, I realized that I didn't really need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/i-thought-i-should-have-a-rolls-for-prestige-so-i-ordered-one-but/) [Dave Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/) > [Not that we've got anything against America, mind. But let's face it, you make a lousy cup of tea over here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/not-that-we-ve-got-anything-against-america-mind-but-let-s-face-it/) [Dave Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/) > [When we first went to L.A., Howard Koch, who was the head of Paramount Pictures and later President of the Oscars, threw a welcome…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/when-we-first-went-to-l-a-howard-koch-who-was-the-head-of-paramount/) [Dave Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/) > [I own a series called 'Ready, Steady, Go!' that I bought in the Seventies. I purposely didn't do anything with it, and wouldn't sell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/i-own-a-series-called-ready-steady-go-that-i-bought-in-the-seventies/) [Dave Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/) > [You've got two sets of teenagers in England - the mods and the rockers. The rockers are motorcycle addicts. The mods dress like we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/you-ve-got-two-sets-of-teenagers-in-england-the-mods-and-the-rockers/) [Dave Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/) [Explore all 66 Dave Clark quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/) ## More Drummer quotes > [I usually write from the rhythm section...If a drummer got a funky beat on some things - like a half-shuffle or a shuffle or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/i-usually-write-from-the-rhythm-section-if-a-drummer-got-a-funky-beat/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [My motivation for being a good drummer was born out of fear, which, in a way, seems so antithetical to what art should be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damien-chazelle/my-motivation-for-being-a-good-drummer-was-born-out-of-fear-which-in/) [Damien Chazelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damien-chazelle/) > [Metallica's the only band i've ever been in. I'm not sure that when it ends in five, ten years, I'm going to put an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-ulrich/metallica-s-the-only-band-i-ve-ever-been-in-i-m-not-sure-that-when-it/) [Lars Ulrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-ulrich/) > [Imagine if you were a drummer, and you accidentally picked up two magic wands instead of sticks. 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We're as much -- or more -- \*cymbal\* players, as we are drummers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-erskine/the-drums-have-hogged-a-lot-of-the-credit-we-re-as-much-or-more/) [Peter Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-erskine/) > [Hip Nip just sounds groovy. A drummer laid it on me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-morita/hip-nip-just-sounds-groovy-a-drummer-laid-it-on-me/) [Pat Morita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-morita/) > [He's (Ringo Starr) not even the best drummer in the Beatles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mccartney/he-s-ringo-starr-not-even-the-best-drummer-in-the-beatles/) [Paul McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mccartney/) > [That's the thing that we said about the horn before: it's a focus issue. It's like a singer versus a drummer. If a drummer's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-hunter/that-s-the-thing-that-we-said-about-the-horn-before-it-s-a-focus/) [Charlie Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-hunter/) > [There is no roles. No one is keeping any roles. The drummer is also answering everybody and everything. So it is a constant conversation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-vitous/there-is-no-roles-no-one-is-keeping-any-roles-the-drummer-is-also/) [Miroslav Vitous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-vitous/) > [I'm a pretty good drummer. I'm pretty good at guitar, bass and piano. I can play accordion; I'm not virtuoso. I've played cello before.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendon-urie/i-m-a-pretty-good-drummer-i-m-pretty-good-at-guitar-bass-and-piano-i/) [Brendon Urie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendon-urie/) > [When I listened to Elvin Jones, man, for the first time I heard a drummer that had all the technique plus emotion, passion, feel,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/butch-trucks/when-i-listened-to-elvin-jones-man-for-the-first-time-i-heard-a/) [Butch Trucks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/butch-trucks/) > [I play bass. I play a bit of guitar. I've never been to a lesson, so my theory of music is non-existent in any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sangster/i-play-bass-i-play-a-bit-of-guitar-i-ve-never-been-to-a-lesson-so-my/) [Thomas Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sangster/) > [I'd just play 'til my hands fell off. My parents would yell at me to stop because they couldn't stand the noise any more!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-castillo/i-d-just-play-til-my-hands-fell-off-my-parents-would-yell-at-me-to/) [Randy Castillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-castillo/) [Browse all 532 Drummer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drummer/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never professed to be a great drummer but I was a very heavy drummer.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dave Clark" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/i-never-professed-to-be-a-great-drummer-but-i-was-a-very-heavy-drummer/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Drummer" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/i-never-professed-to-be-a-great-drummer-but-i-was-a-very-heavy-drummer/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c27/dave-clark-10310_drummer_i-never-professed-to-be-a-great-drummer_2872127.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c27/dave-clark-10310_drummer_i-never-professed-to-be-a-great-drummer_2872127.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c27/dave-clark-10310_drummer_i-never-professed-to-be-a-great-drummer_2872127.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I never professed to be a great drummer but I was a very heavy drummer.” — Dave Clark", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dave Clark", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I never professed to be a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/i-never-professed-to-be-a-great-drummer-but-i-was-a-very-heavy-drummer/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/i-never-professed-to-be-a-great-drummer-but-i-was-a-very-heavy-drummer/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```