"I never had lessons. Used to try to play to records, which I hated doing. Still can't play to them"

Charlie Watts reflects on his approach to music with a tone of honesty and humility, revealing an organic relationship with drumming. By stating he never took lessons, Watts underscores a self-taught, instinctive process, relying more on personal exploration and natural rhythm than formal instruction. His learning stemmed from immersion rather than academic or structured training, indicative of many musicians who came of age in an era where access to formal lessons wasn’t universal, or whose style was shaped through playing alongside others, not through notation or exercises.

He describes his efforts to play along with records, a common practice for self-taught musicians seeking to develop timing, feel, and understanding of various styles. Yet, Watts admits not only a dislike for this method but also an inability to master it. This admission is revealing: despite being a world-renowned drummer, he found synchronizing with recordings both unenjoyable and ultimately unsuccessful for his own musical development. This suggests a deeply personal approach to rhythm, one that is more about feeling and live interaction than technical perfection or replication.

Watts’s statement also hints at the gap between recorded music and live performance. For him, the magic seems to be about playing in the moment, responding to the dynamic push and pull of fellow musicians rather than following a fixed, unyielding record. The steady precision required to perfectly match a recording is at odds with his artistry, which thrives on spontaneity and interaction. This wisdom conveys that technical methods, while useful for some, aren’t essential for success or expression. Watts’s individuality and unorthodox path serve as an inspiration for musicians to trust their instincts and embrace their unique ways of engaging with their art, even if it diverges from standard or accepted practices.