What I learned from David Herbert

David Herbert has a Game Face

David Herbert is hands down one of the best timpanists in the country. He plays in the prestigious Chicago Symphony Orchestra and earned his position after having been with the San Francisco Symphony for more than 19 years. I remember everyone in Chicago being very excited about the fact that he was joining the orchestra in 2013 and since then, he has contributed musically to one of the best and most demanding positions in the orchestral world. As one of his students, I have had the privilege of learning about not only his incredible musical skills but also how he gets in the zone and can focus like no one I have seen before. As his friend, I have also witnessed how he lives his life and how his thinking outside of the box has made him an innovator in his field. Recently I sat down with him for an Instagram Live interview and I wanted to share one of the most important things I have learned from David.

Having a Game Face

I have known David since 2009 when I first studied with him at the Aspen Music Festival and School. I was first struck by his ability to focus in the summer of 2010 when I was playing bass drum next to him in a concert cycle that contained Sinfonia Domestica by Richard Strauss (see photo below). I had never witnessed such a level of accuracy and precision from the first rehearsal to the performance. I remember Tom Stubbs, from the St. Louis Symphony who was playing cymbals on that concert, coaching me and telling me how we could rely on David 100% for note placement and accuracy. David had clearly already built his reputation.

When I got to play Sinfonia Domestica next to David in 2010

Luckily I continued studying with him during the summers and then in Chicago when I became the timpanist of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago right after he got his job with the Chicago Symphony. In addition to having one on one coachings with him I got to witness him doing his job up close. On one occasion I got to play a side by side rehearsal with him in which we were doing Mahler’s 2nd Symphony.

It was during that rehearsal that I was reminded of David’s focus once again. I remember wondering at the beginning of rehearsal if David had suddenly gotten mad at me. His mood suddenly changed when he went to sit behind the timpani and he transformed from having a jovial and joking attitude to having a stern face and a furrowed brow. Fortunately, I found out later that David was not upset at me. He had just gotten deeply focused as rehearsal was about to start–and it was time for business. Even though this was a side by side “reading”, David took this rehearsal with the utmost professionalism and seriousness. 

I would later describe that moment to a colleague while talking about David: “Have you noticed every time David steps behind the timpani, it’s like he puts his ‘Game Face’ on?” I believe this is one of David’s super powers. When he is behind the drums, it is time for business and to get in the zone. He can focus like nobody else I know.

I asked David about this in our recent interview on the Simon G Show and he told me he was surprised to hear my description. He did not notice that he had a different face when performing. However, he did describe how he always sees a path in the middle of chaos. He referred to the saying of “missing the forest for the trees”. He does not miss the forest. He stays deeply focused on the path or the end goal even amidst chaos, which is what performances can feel like at times. 

Perhaps this focus is something all of us can improve if we want to become better musicians. David has spent many years playing under some of the most demanding conductors in the world and under situations of extreme pressure. When you are under those circumstances, you have no option but to focus.  But, he also creates the right environment for this focus.

One example of this is the way David avoids distractions when it matters. I have witnessed many percussionists and timpanists during the past few years go on their phones during tacet moments–even with some of the best orchestras! But, David leaves his phone in his timpani room during rehearsals and he pays attention, even during the movements when he is not playing. 

This deep focus can clearly be cultivated. Not only by putting away your phone and electronics, but also by taking your craft very seriously. I know David has a deep respect for the music he performs–especially the music written by the great masters–and for his colleagues and conductors. That respect and love for your craft can certainly increase your motivation to be focused and give it the best you can.

This is just one of the things I have learned from David throughout the years and from my conversation with him. One last favorite moment of mine from this interview is when he talks about how he does not like when people say “NO” to him. During those moments he searched for solutions that led him to contribute with some innovations for the timpani world. You can hear more about this about halfway through the interview.

Thanks for reading!

Simón G

When I got to play second timpani to David and the CSO. You can clearly see his “game face” in this photo. photo credit, Todd Rosenberg.