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5) Just like the VIEW above, another VIEW was created to show 'private' values only from the professional_publication column
a) writing query from 44 - 55
b) highlighting 57 only and executing it, gives you the result below.

4) Instead of executing the same query multiple times, I created a VIEW showing only values with pro from the professional_publication column.
a) writing the query from 28 - 39
b) highlighting 41 only and executing it, gives you the result below.

3) Writing a query to find the top 3 products and their prices.
a) highlighting 21 - 25 and running it gives you the result below.

2) I decided to clean and analyse the data by:
a) adding row numbers to the data
b) using the CASE function to create a new product_ranking column
c) using the WHERE clause to remove product_name that has ? on it.
d) highlighting from 9 - 17 and running it, gives you the result below.
e) this is my new dataset

As a data analyst, SQL happens to be my favourite programming language or query language like I love to call it. It's quite easy to learn but gets complicated when you get deep into it.

I will be sharing with you a simple project I worked on this week. Nothing fancy. Just messing around with this dataset.

1) This is a productsData dataset and as you can see from the picture below:
a) i created a database
b) imported the dataset for Excel to mySQL
c) highlighting number 7 alone and running it will give the result below
d) this is the raw dataset

Cool. For data visualizations, personally I kinda prefer Power BI to tableau.

Only an introverted, minimalistic criminal would love something like this. Small, simple, less stuff and just being indoors reading (if books are allowed).

One of the things that scares us the most as a musician or an instrumentalist is our FUTURE. We ask ourselves questions like: What would the future be like for an instrumentalist? Am I still going to jam the drums in my 40’s and 50’s? Music is the only thing I know, if I am not playing what else can I do to earn a living as an instrumentalist?

If you have not thought about questions like this, I have. And honestly it can be a vibe or even a dream killer.
But like football, every industry has its branches. For example, if the dream was to become a professional footballer and you are not, due to injury and other life troubles, you can also be a football coach, writer, manager, anchor, referee or even a talent scout. All of this profession still revolves around football. You are still going to do the thing that you love but in a different way.

Same goes for instrumentalist. There are other branches in this music or instrumentalist industry. You just got to settle and think about it.

And so, I am going to let you in on some of the branches I have thought about so far. So, if you are not playing the instrument, you can:

• Start a blog and share you experience as a drummer. Blogging is still a good business. But a lot of patience is needed here.

• Start an audio or video podcast on YouTube or Facebook. Invite instrumentalist to your show. Talk and laugh. Just like the Oprah show. I haven’t seen any do this here in Nigeria. Its good business if you have the resources.

• Open a music store. Sell musical instruments and merchandise. This is common. But you can also do it too.

• Open a studio. This too is common. But you can also do it.

• Teach. Online, offline or both. Get students and teach them how to play the instrument.

• Write a book. If you are a well-known instrumentalist, then you should have a book or an e-book out. Your fans would love to read about you.

• Talent scout or manager. There are lots of talented instrumentalists out there with no connection or opportunity. Find these guys and get them Gigs and bands and also get your cut. Or even manage them.

• Create an app. An app that connects music managers, musicians and churches with talented instrumentalist. With this app, you can get any one based on location and skill. If you are in lekki or surulere, this app connects you with instrumentalist in lekki or surulere. You don’t need to look too far.

• Go into music production.

• And if you are still not satisfied with any of this, then it’s not too late to go into tech. That is where the future is. Keep playing your instrument but learn small tech. Still not satisfied? Look closely at the picture below.

Things are changing. The world is evolving. Artificial intelligence (A I) is taking over. I won’t be surprise if robots are playing the instrument or making sounds better than any instrumentalist would. I don’t know. But we just have to be prepared and look out for opportunities and other ways to earn a living as an instrumentalist.
Don’t be scared. It is what it is. Lol.

#Peace

We can’t do it all alone. I can’t do it all alone. And that’s why most times we (instrumentalist) need that push, support and encouragement from our friends and families to keep doing the things that we love.

We’ve been told to get a real job coz playing an instrument is not a profession, it is something you do for fun. We hear things like “is this what you want to do your whole life”, “can you build a house or buy a car from playing an instrument”, “no one makes a living from their talent”, “forget about this and pursue a real career” etc.……… I am pretty sure some of us have heard things we like this.

And due to societal pressure, lack of support and encouragement from the people that we love and serve, some who are making little to nothing from playing the drums, have made the decision to learn a skill, get a job or start a business.

But the fact that we doing this other thing (job, hustle, business) doesn’t mean we want to stop playing or doesn’t mean we are just going to give up on our dreams. We love music. We love to play. But to keep doing this, we need that push, that ginger, that support and encouragement from friends, families, colleagues, mentors and even our pastors.

Like and share the videos we put out. When we tell you about our dreams and our goals as an instrumentalist, be kind enough to show your love and support. Some of us have come to terms with the fact that we might not make a living as an instrumentalist. And that is okay.

Whether its our profession or not. Whether we make money or not. Just be there to show your love and support. Whether online or offline, it doesn’t matter. Lol. Just be there.

#Peace

meum:
Do you charge for a project like this? How much?

Yeah I do. Full data analysis using sql, python excel or power BI, I charge 40 - 80k depending on the dataset. For data visualization alone 10k, 15k also depending on the needs of the client.

Nice one bro.

meum:
Nice. I love data analysis and currently perfecting it via youtube videos.

4) Fintech dashboard using Power BI

3) A superstore dashboard using Power BI

2) A spotify's Dashboard using Microsoft Excel. I ma not proud of this one at all. Lol.

I am a Data Analyst who cleans, analyse and Interpret data in order to solve a problem. And one of the ways of analysing data is by using a dashboard.

A dashboard is a data visualization tool that helps analyse data via charts, table etc.

I am gonna be sharing some of the simple dashboards I created way back when I started as a data analyst. The data used for this dashboards are sample data files gotten from the internet. Private companies dashboards can't be shared here.

Software Application used: Power BI and Microsoft Excel.

Note: I am not a designer. Nothing fancy here. Just simple dashboards. Lol.

Here we go:

1) A superstore dashboard using Microsoft Excel

Talking of the supernatural, I do not know if other instrumentalist has this unique ability or maybe it’s just the drummers alone. The ability to point out other drummers without having any knowledge of who they are. This is something I find myself (and I know other drummers do too) doing most times. It just happens. I can’t explain it.

A drummer could be in the church or a show and looking around he sees a guy sited somewhere minding his business, and instantly this supernatural ability kicks in and he knows for sure that the guy sited over there is a drummer.

I don’t know how we do it but 80% of the time we are always right.

Is it the looks? The charisma? Or just instinct?

I do not know for sure. But. I think there is one hack you can use to access this ability whether you are a drummer or not.

If you see a guy who is more invested in the drummer playing than the praise and worship going on. He is a drummer. I can bet my sticks. That guy is a drummer. Lol.

I do not know of any other supernatural abilities that drummers possesses but you if do, please feel free to spill, I want to know too.

PS: The pastor laid emphasis on the word “Supernatural” today in church and as a good listener I have decided to use the word too.

#Peace

They say you’ve got to have multiple sources of income if you want to make it big or you want to survive in this our dear country Nigeria, coz one hustle equal to no hustle at all. They say if you’re not hustling, grinding and suffering then you are not ready for success.

For me the goal has always been to play the drums and make money from playing alone. I have always believed in this quote “make your passion your profession and work will become play”. Beautiful quote by the way.

Coz who says you can’t become a millionaire from playing the drums alone, who? I have seen others do it, so it is not impossible.

But.

I have come to realize that not everyone will have it that smooth. Not every drummer is gonna make so much money from playing the drums alone, in fact some won’t even make any at all. As sad as it sounds, that is the reality that we live in.

So, what do we do? Or what did I do, coz I happen to be amongst the caliber of drummers that are making little to nothing from playing just the drums.

LEARN A SKILL. START A BUSSINESS. GET A JOB. TRY SOMETHING NEW

Easier said than done. But I had to. I just had to. So, 2020 (the pandemic year) and thanks to YouTube, I started my lessons on DATA ANALYSIS and it has been a rollercoaster.

Not like I am making millions from Data Analysis right now but it’s better than just depending on the drums alone. If one doesn’t pay, the other might must pay.

Am I still optimistic about playing the drums and making good money from it? YES, I AM but if it doesn’t happen, IT IS WHAT IT IS. We move. Lol.

So right now, I am a Drummer and a freelance Data Analyst. I do both well. Very well.

This is Twenty – Twenty – Two……… the goal is to keep the passion alive and also try not to be broke. LOL.

#Peace.

New Year Resolution

This year Twenty – Twenty – Two:

· I promise not to come to your church and tune your drums. I will show you respect as a drummer.

· Packaging is a must. Whether I’m good or not on the drums, I will package myself this year.

· Learn a new instrument or start singing. You bench me on the drums, I play another instrument or I sing. I will not be musically stranded this year.

· If drums doesn't pay, I will learn a skill, get a job or even start a business. Whatever happens, I won’t stop playing the drums. I will keep the passion alive. Anything can happen.

· And to all my future girlfriends, I will always pick the drums over you. No vex. It is what it is. I will still love you sha.

You guys should check out Clickbait. It's quite interesting. It's a 7/10 for me.

THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL AS A DRUMMER

1) The sound and setup of your drum kit: With the drum keys and other tools, you can control how you want to sound. You also control how you wanna setup, coz the more comfortable you are on the drums the better the sound.

2) The tempo of the music: if you are playing too fast, you can slow down. Playing too slow, you can speed it up a little. As long as the tempo serves the music, you are good to go.

3) The style of play: as a drummer you control the kind of rolls you wanna play on the drums. You also control when to roll, when to freestyle and when not to. How hard or soft you play is also controlled by you. As long as you are playing to the music, you are doing well.


THINGS YOU CANNOT CONTROL AS A DRUMMER

1) Singers going off beat: you can't control this guys. Lol. No matter how you try to warn them, they just can't help it. They go ON and OFF beat, which can frustrate any drummer. Just do your best and leave the rest to the keyboardist. Lol.

2) Injuries: truth is injuries can happen (unexpectedly) anytime. If you're not fit, you can't play. So we just have to be extra careful and pray it doesn't happen when good Gigs and shows are coming our way. Coz e no go funny at all.

3) How people react: no matter how good you are on the drums, people are always gonna react. Good or Bad people must react. He plays too fast, he plays too slow. He rolls too much, he's always playing the same rolls etc..... Just do you. Go on YouTube, no matter how amazing your drum video is, you go still chop dislikes. Lol. It is what it is. Just keep doing what you know how to do best.

1) Sacrificing a Gig (whether free or not) just to spend the night with a girl. Drummers ain't Simps. Drummers are Alpha males. Lol.

2) Getting high before a Gig. We love to take risk when we play but not that kind of risk. Before a drummer sits on the drum, he has to be 100% sane and focused. Imagine shouting para-diddle para-didle while you are playing. No be juju be dat.

3) Under dressed or over dressed. Drummers are the most fashionable instrumentalist ever. They keep it simple and classy. Ask the ladies they will tell you. You can't never catch a drummer dressing anyhow. Never.

4) Leaving the drums for another instrument. It's either drummers play drums + other musical instruments or just drums alone. You can never hear a drummer say "I used to be a drummer but now I am a full time keyboardist, no more drums". You can never hear such statement. Lol. Not in Nigeria. Never.

5) Admitting they know how to play. You can never catch a professional drummer admitting that he is a beast on the drums. When you hail them, you hear things like "Me! Beast! I am still a learner o" or "I cannot play like that o, I'm just trying". Drummers, especially Nigerian drummers are very humble. Lol. Very humble.

This is a continuation from where I stopped the last time. If you don't know what I am talking about, check out my last post: 10 RIDICULOUS THINGS I WANT TO INVENT part (i). Last time i shared 5 amazing ideas Lol. So today I will be sharing the remaining 5. And like I said the last time, this is not a general idea. I am a drummer, so all my ideas are all drum related.

So without wasting much of your time, here are the ideas:

1) A mobile app game for drummers: not the the action type but the puzzle or adventure kind of games. For example, if it's like an adventure game, easy. You login, you are given an option to create a drummer of your choice. You create one. You pick a music tour of your choice. You begin the game. Your first task or first level in the game is to rearrange a scattered drum kit within a specific time. Second level, create a beat from the music sheet you are given. Third level, play a melodic groove without a particular part of the drum kit e.g hi-hat. Etc....... as the game goes on there will be more creative levels on the game.

2) A drum stick grip box: a small box with holes to fix in the drum stick. What this box does is give the drum stick a good grip based on the drummer's selection. If the drummer want his sticks very smooth when he holds it, the box makes it smooth. If he wants it rough (especially for drummers with sweaty palms), the box makes it rough. Heavy or light, the box makes it so. Based on the drummer's selection the box is able to give the drummer's stick a good grip that suits the drummer.

3) New pattern app: drummers are the most creative instrumentalist. Most drum beats and rolls are played out of instincts I.e when on a Gig they play rolls they've never played before and those rolls end up sounding good. Most time that creative beat and roll can't be replayed coz it's new and the body ain't used to it. What if there is an app that records all of your groove and rolls and is also able to detect new creative rolls and beats (something new and fresh) when you are playing. Now you don't have to worry about trying to replicate a beat you just played few minutes without making mistakes. The app gat you. Please note, this is different from practicing a new beat on your own.

4) A drum throne body massage: a drum throne or stool that not only serve as a sit for drummers but also a massage kit. Imagine playing with tired hands and legs and still having more hours to go. Everything about your groove is gonna change. You won't be as energetic as you were few hours ago, there won't be a lively vibe to your rolls. Having a drum stool that massages you when ever you take a little break from playing won't be bad. It keeps your body from performing below par.

5) The practice app: I'm still thinking of a better name for this app. What this app does is debit you and credit someone else if you refuse to practice 2-3 hours a day. This is how it works. You find a fellow instrumentalist like you ( doesn't necessarily have to be a drummer), you both open an account.( both account must be linked to your bank account). You both decide on the days you wanna practice. If you miss a practice date, you get debited and the other drummer gets credited. You also get to decide the amount y'all are willing to lose if you don't practise. 50 or 100 naira. To the drummer being credited this might look a small amount, but to the one being debited, loosing 100 naira everyday or thrice a week won't be funny. To avoid loosing cash, just PRACTICE. And please make sure you have the app on. Practicing without the app will make you loose money. It's more like a game to make you a better drummer. It's gonna help with procrastination and laziness but with a small cost. Be free to opt out anytime. No be by force. Lol.

There you have it. My crazy ideas. And like I said in the last post, the point is not to have an amazing idea, the point is to build the idea muscle. The more I write this ideas, the more I get good with writing and not just writing but also experimenting on some of this ideas. Every idea needs an execution.

Peace.

They say ideas rules the world, so today I'm gonna be sharing with you 10 of my most crazy and ridiculous ideas. 5 ideas today (incase you don't like them, don't bother about tomorrow's own. Lol) and 5 tomorrow. Please note this ideas ain't for execution. I might experiment with some of ideas in the nearest future but for now, I'm just writing them to exercise the idea muscle. Whether the ideas are good or bad. It doesn't matter.

This is not a general idea. I am a drummer, so all of my ideas are drum related. If you ain't a drummer or a musical instrumentalist you might not vibe with the ideas. But if you do, nice one. Lol.

Without wasting much of your time, here are the ideas:

1) A tuner app for drums: app wey u fit use dey tune drums. Not bad BUT a tech drum needs to be invented first before inventing an app that tunes drums. Smh. An app like that won't work on a normal drum kit. Anyways. We move.

2) A 3D invisible drum kit: drummers play a lot to invisible things. Making an 3D invisible kit with a sound no go too bad.

3) A drum beat hint app: imagine singing a song on the app and within seconds, it's giving you a beat that suits the song. No matter the genre of the song, It has a beat for you. The app gives me a hint, I do the rest on the drum kit.

4) A drum roll filter: it's just like subtitles. Upload a drum video by Aaron spears and let the app filter every roll and break it down for you.

5) Gigs for drummers: just like using uber to locate a driver nearby. An app that helps people (bands, musicians and churches ) to locate the nearest instrumentalist nearby won't be a bad idea. There are lot of drummers without Gigs or a place to play. This might help.

I hope with these few ideas of mine I have been able to convince and not to confuse you that tomorrow's ideas will be better. Lol.

Peace.

Ladies and gentlemen. Boys and girls. To be an average drummer ain't that hard. People say it is. A lot of drummers don't wanna be average, I don't know why. But if you do, Just follow this steps.

1) Don't practise: please don't. Practicing is overated. But when ever you do decide to pick up the sticks, don't stress yourself, 30 minutes of practise once or twice a week is enough for you. You might not get better at drumming, who cares! This is what comes with being an average drummer.

2) Watch for fun: there are lots of drum lessons on Youtube. Bro, ignore them all. Don't do what the good and amazing drummers do. These guys watch both drum lessons and drum covers from professionals. They don't just watch, they also practice and creatively apply them when they play. But you are an average drummer, you don't need the lessons. Just focus on the drum covers or solos by the professionals and keep wishing you can play the drums the way they do.

3) Don't play to the music: I do see professional drummers in a band play a track without actually doing any fancy or unnecessary rolling on the drum kit. They keep it simple. Please don't be that guy. Roll. Anywhere, anytime, just roll. Do some crazy freestyle. Even when they tell you to keep the groove simple, tell them to gettout. You might, no sorry, you will lose the Gig, no wahala. It is what is it.

They say being average doesn't pay. It makes you worse. No one calls or recommends you for a Gig. You don't get better on the drums, you are just there. I don't think I ever want to be that guy. So imma just do the opposite and get better as a drummer. But if being average is your thing. Ride on.

Ps: this is just a note to myself. No too take am serious. Lol

4) Lol. It's better than nothing.

3) You don't have good connect and exposure and you are turning down Gigs. LOL. Continue.

2) Lol. Not all the glitters is gold.

As much as we (drummers) love hanging out, sharing drum ideas and playing so much, some times we do get tired after hours of playing. And what do we do when we are not playing? We talk. Yea! We talk about football, Gigs, future plans, grooves, etc....... To keep the ginger going in the room I came up with an idea or a challenge. Proverbs. A drummer's version of naija proverbs. Proverbs about drummers. Honestly we all said lots of rubbish Lol but this 4 (personally) kinda made small sense Lol. If you are a drummer feel free to try. E no hard. Just turn your experience into a proverb. Simple. Lol.


1) Lol. Kinda true though. A broken stick will change your rhythm.

Teajog:
What a boring and dry memes!

Lol. You are right bro. I don't expect you to enjoy memes about drummers since you ain't one. or are you?

Teajog:
What a boring and dry memes!

Lol. You are right bro. I don't expect you to enjoy memes about drummers since you ain't one. or are you?

5) Lol. No be today. A good band is all you need.

4) Na "feel at home" dey cause this nonsense. Lol.

3) Abeg gettout. who una dey whyne. Lol.