During an appearance on The Wikimetal Happy Hour , Iggor Cavalera talked about his particular style of playing drums and revealed that he almost gave up the instrument because he didn't have a good start.
According to the drummer, his first lessons were at age 7, but the teacher's teaching methods didn't appeal to young Iggor. "I got a really bad teacher, one of those jazz guys who didn't understand the mindset of a 7-year-old kid who wanted to sit at the drums and let loose. The guy only focused on technique and theory."
After 3 weeks, Cavalera reportedly spoke with his parents and asked not to continue the lessons because he thought that if he continued learning that way, he would develop a "bad feeling" towards drums. Without the teacher's restrictions, Iggor tried to learn on his own, putting on his records and following the music by ear.
This self-taught technique worked and helped develop the personal drumming technique for which Iggor Cavalera is known. But despite the difficulties in the classroom and having chosen to follow his own path, the drummer reinforces the value and importance of teachers.
“I always tell my kids, the younger ones: there’s nothing wrong with playing drums with a teacher, and there’s nothing wrong with learning on your own either. They’re different paths, but I think both are great,” he reflects. “You can have a teacher who is an inspiration for the rest of your life. I think you have to value teachers. On my side, I was unlucky and, because I’m quite stubborn, I ended up creating my own style, my own way of learning songs and everything.”
READ ALSO: When Iggor Cavalera was the drummer for Massacration: “We hate those idiot metalheads”
