“Rammstein’s Drummer Reveals the #1 Mistake Beginners Make — Why ‘It’s Not Important’ Could Be Ruining Your Music Journey”
When you’re first starting out in music, there’s an overwhelming amount of advice, techniques, and practices to absorb. From learning the scales to perfecting your timing, every aspect feels important and yet somehow impossible to master all at once. Many beginners fall into the trap of focusing on the flashy, exciting parts of music, neglecting the fundamentals that truly form the backbone of their skill. One voice from the world stage has stepped in to offer a warning that every aspiring musician should take seriously. Flake, the legendary drummer from Rammstein, has shared insights into what he believes is the #1 mistake beginners make, and it revolves around a phrase that many of us have heard and used: “It’s not important.”
At first glance, “It’s not important” sounds harmless, even freeing. When confronted with endless exercises or technical lessons, it’s tempting to dismiss certain aspects as trivial or unnecessary. You might think that focusing on your favorite songs, the parts that sound the coolest, or simply playing by ear is sufficient. After all, who wants to spend hours practicing rudiments, metronome exercises, or dynamics that don’t immediately make a song sound “better”? This is exactly where many beginners stumble, and Flake is emphatic in his warning: underestimating the importance of foundational skills can set you back years.
The core of Flake’s advice is deceptively simple: every element of your musical education matters, even the parts that seem boring, repetitive, or insignificant. When a beginner says, “It’s not important,” they are often ignoring the building blocks that make all the exciting parts possible. Timing, for example, is often underestimated. You might think that as long as you can play a catchy beat, the exact placement of each note doesn’t matter. Flake counters this by emphasizing that even professional-level performance loses its power if timing is off. In a band like Rammstein, where precision drives the intensity and impact of every song, sloppy timing is more than a flaw—it’s a deal-breaker.
Another area where beginners often dismiss importance is in dynamics and control. Playing loudly all the time may feel powerful, but it removes nuance and versatility. Flake points out that understanding subtle shifts in intensity allows a drummer to tell a story with the music, to build tension, and to release it in ways that captivate the listener. Ignoring these aspects under the excuse of “It’s not important” may allow you to play a beat, but it strips away musicality. You’re not just playing notes; you’re conveying emotion, and every detail contributes to that communication.
Flake also highlights the danger of neglecting proper technique. Many beginners believe that as long as they can hit the drums, the exact way they hold sticks, position their body, or strike the drum doesn’t matter. In reality, technique is crucial for both performance and longevity. Improper posture or motion can lead to fatigue, inconsistent sound, and even injury over time. What seems trivial now can become a major obstacle as you progress, slowing down your development and frustrating your ambitions. Flake’s experience touring and performing at the highest level has shown him that technique isn’t just a box to check—it’s the foundation of reliability and endurance on stage.
The mindset behind “It’s not important” can also limit creativity. While it seems counterintuitive, true creativity thrives on discipline. When you fully understand your instrument, the rules, and the basics, you gain freedom to bend and break them intentionally. Beginners who skip foundational work often struggle to express themselves fully because they lack the vocabulary and control needed to execute ideas. Flake argues that mastery of fundamentals is what allows a drummer to innovate without limits. By dismissing “boring” exercises, beginners may be trading long-term creative potential for short-term gratification.
Furthermore, Flake’s warning extends beyond the practice room to the way beginners approach learning from others. Ignoring advice from teachers, mentors, or even fellow musicians under the pretense of irrelevance can be a costly mistake. Every suggestion, critique, or technique has a reason behind it, and the most successful musicians know how to absorb knowledge even when it feels tedious. “It’s not important” is often a defense mechanism, a way to avoid challenge or discomfort. Recognizing this tendency is the first step toward meaningful improvement.
Flake’s guidance is also deeply practical. He doesn’t just talk about what’s important; he illustrates how ignoring fundamentals manifests in real scenarios. A beginner drummer may struggle to keep a steady rhythm when the song speeds up, or fail to blend seamlessly with the rest of the band. They might have the energy and enthusiasm to play fast, complex beats, but without control, the music feels chaotic. On stage, this can translate into missed cues, audience disengagement, and a lack of confidence. Flake’s own career with Rammstein, a band that thrives on precision, choreography, and sheer sonic impact, underscores the critical nature of mastery. Every member relies on each other’s skill, and there’s no room for sloppy assumptions about what’s “not important.”
The advice also applies to mental approach. Flake encourages beginners to cultivate patience, persistence, and respect for incremental progress. Music is a lifelong journey, and skipping the seemingly minor details often leads to burnout or frustration. By embracing each component of learning, even when it feels tedious, beginners build resilience, discipline, and an intuitive understanding of their instrument. This mindset transforms “boring” exercises into stepping stones toward excellence, making the practice process less about obligation and more about growth.
Importantly, Flake’s warning is not meant to discourage experimentation or fun. On the contrary, he celebrates creative exploration, improvisation, and the joy of playing music. But he frames these experiences within the context of solid fundamentals. Beginners are encouraged to enjoy playing their favorite songs, trying new rhythms, and expressing themselves, but never at the expense of the essential skills that support performance. Without this foundation, even the most inspired playing may falter under pressure, whether in rehearsal, recording, or live shows.
In conclusion, Flake’s message is clear and powerful: the phrase “It’s not important” can be a dangerous trap for beginners. Every aspect of learning music—timing, dynamics, technique, control, and mindset—matters more than you might realize. Dismissing exercises or advice because they seem irrelevant sacrifices long-term growth for short-term comfort. The journey to mastery is built on the accumulation of small, consistent, and deliberate efforts. By paying attention to the fundamentals, embracing discipline, and resisting the urge to shortcut the learning process, beginners can unlock their true potential. Flake’s decades of experience on the global stage of music, performing with one of the most intense and precise bands in the world, serves as a testament to the importance of foundational skills. Every note, every beat, and every practice session has significance. Ignoring them is not just a minor mistake—it’s a barrier that can prevent aspiring musicians from ever reaching the heights they dream of. So the next time you’re tempted to say, “It’s not important,” remember Flake’s advice and reconsider. What seems small today may be the difference between mediocre and extraordinary tomorrow.
