TED Community » Danny Cox

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Music, self-help, sharing inspiration, doing right.

An idea worth spreading

'To tell others that, It is a rumour, Will not do. When your own heart asks, How will you respond?' This is a translation of a Japanese poem featured in the famous book 'Hagakure' by Yamamoto Tsunetomo, which has a very deep meaning to me, the core principle being that one can never truly deceive oneself.

Talk to me about

Things that really matter.

People don't know that I'm good at

Writing, video games.

My TED Story

I came across TED some years ago and have always known that it was there, but never truly exploited it for all it's worth. I logged on again this evening and now feel like taking a more active role.

Comments

• TEDCred score: 0.00 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• A reply on Conversation: How can one achieve their full potential in the face of strict limitations?

  Oct 18 2012: Sadly, no. I know all of the serious drummers in my area and although many of us work professionally and teach to earn our keep we couldn't possibly raise this kind of money. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying never- things are better for me now than ever as I've worked to build my business for seven years, but those seven years have been without serious practise and I may be looking at seven more before I can really bring together that kind of capital.
  
  I wouldn't ever like to think I'll miss the boat but we all have limited time on Earth... I am very happy in my life but one dream I fear I will never realise is to reach my true potential on drum kit. Over the past couple of years I've come to terms with this but when I take a step back and look at my situation it does seem kind of sad. But then I consider the real sadness in the world and I can't help but feel lucky that I'm playing drums at all!

• A reply on Conversation: How can one achieve their full potential in the face of strict limitations?

  Oct 18 2012: Thanks Fritzie, I have of course looked into this as well. The biggest problem here is that I would need larger accommodation to be able to dedicate a room for soundproofing, not to mention a willing landlord (I am way off being able to purchase my own property in the UK).
  
  A very attractive solution is the new portable isolation booths, which are essentially an erect-it-yourself soundproof booth. These however cost around £6,000. Of course I've considered a loan but naturally there is some fear involved here. Perhaps it's just time to throw caution.

• A reply on Conversation: How can one achieve their full potential in the face of strict limitations?

  Oct 18 2012: I'm not a member of a church, no. I have given my services freely in the past to various organisations, though none have been able to offer even temporary practise space, not that they weren't willing- it is just very difficult to accommodate a drum kit!

• A reply on Conversation: How can one achieve their full potential in the face of strict limitations?

  Oct 17 2012: Thanks for your positivity friend, I'll be sure to check in and let you know what transpires.

• A reply on Conversation: How can one achieve their full potential in the face of strict limitations?

  Oct 17 2012: This is a very interesting post, and it details something I have done subconsciously ever since I began playing drums. I do believe in its power and I think this is the one reason that I have been able to continue moving forward on my instrument even without a proper practise space. Of course it is not the real thing, but it does work. Anyone else who finds this thread of interest should definitely try this method if they haven't done so already.

• A reply on Conversation: How can one achieve their full potential in the face of strict limitations?

  Oct 17 2012: Thank you Andrey. Your first two points I believe I have touched on below with other kind contributors but your third is something to think about. I have done demonstrations in schools many times. Hospitals I am unsure would appreciate the extreme noise level. As for the homeless, maybe that is something to look into but of course these are concerts, which is very different to finding a 'spiritual home' where I can practise and develop my skills.
  
  I really am grateful for all the feedback here, even if I have already explored the possibilities of most of the suggestions offered. It is encouraging to see that people don't just dismiss my problem as selfish!

• A reply on Conversation: How can one achieve their full potential in the face of strict limitations?

  Oct 17 2012: Very inspiring words! I like what you're saying here and it makes a lot of sense... But is kind of romantic when applied long-term. I've done all this- I've hired the studio in town for a week and just not thought about where the money is going to come from. What did I have at the end of the week? No money! Perhaps it sounds to someone like you that I am putting up my own barriers but believe me, they are not my own and I have looked for ways through, over, under and around and that has led me here, to seek the opinions of others. Your input is greatly appreciated.
  
  My grandmother allowed me to practise in her garage at one point. She lived on a main road and the garage was detached. I played only between the hours of 10am and 5pm. Only a week into my use of this space environmental health showed up and threatened to put a noise abatement order on my grandmother's property with a £5,000 fine if I continued. The complaint came to them from a neighbour 15 doors down the road.
  
  Believe me, I do what I can. I use the digital drums in my teaching space, I spend countless hours on my practise pad and of course this helps me improve. I am good at what I do, certainly good enough to make a living, but 'making a living' was not my childhood dream. 'Being the best drummer in the world' was my childhood dream and already I'm seven-and-a-half years behind on the necessary practise!

• A reply on Conversation: How can one achieve their full potential in the face of strict limitations?

  Oct 17 2012: Hi Fritzie,
  
  Thanks for your suggestion. I've tried this too. I've offered free lessons, free performances, time looking after the rehearsal studios but sadly, for the amount of hours I need, there is little I could do besides give up all my work and become someone's PA! There has never been an abundance of charity coming my way on this matter and to be honest, I don't feel entitled to any- after all, I am pursuing a creative ideal, not trying to forge world peace. Nonetheless, this doesn't stop me trying to find a solution every day.

• A reply on Conversation: How can one achieve their full potential in the face of strict limitations?

  Oct 17 2012: Hi Salim,
  
  Thanks for replying, not thoughtless at all. I tried this once- I went to the beach on a clear day, drove my car down and set up my drums. Within 30 minutes it had clouded over and started to rain! This was quite devastating to my equipment... There was a lot of towelling down when I got home. Now of course it doesn't rain every day, but the weather here in the UK is somewhat unpredictable. This method also requires a full day of free time (which is rare for many self-employed people) and as you mention, lacks any power connectivity. A short-term solution for a day of practise here and there, but not a long-term fix.