History Main / DumbAndDrummer

* ''Manga/KOn'':
** Ritsu Tainaka. As the Light Music Club's drummer, she isn't particularly stupid, just lazy and forgetful. Although the reason she plays the drums is that she thinks playing the guitar or keyboard is too complicated and would frustrate her.
** As with NobodyLovesTheBassist (Mio, the bassist, is the most-loved character in ''and'' out of universe) it's kind of an inversion: the dumbest character by far is Yui, the ''lead guitarist''. [[GeniusDitz She learns to play relatively quickly but simultaneously forgot everything else she'd learned recently and flunked an exam.]]

* Yahtzee from ''WebAnimation/ZeroPunctuation'' invokes this in his ''VideoGame/GuitarHero World Tour'' review in response to some of the songs having non-English lyrics.
-->'''Yahtzee:''' If you don't speak Spanish, singing them is like if the guitarist was required to play wearing mittens. Or if the drummer were required to think.

* [[AvertedTrope Averted]] with [[MellowFellow Zuke]] in ''VideoGame/NoStraightRoads'', who's shown to be much smarter than fellow band member [[IdiotHero Mayday]], not to mention having earned himself a degree in Fine Arts and Music during his college days.

Playing percussion adequately often involves managing many more actions and ideas at once than most other instruments. Real drummers who consider themselves "serious" musicians often refer to themselves as "[[InsistentTerminology percussionists]]" in an attempt to distance themselves from this trope as well as because many drummers also play general percussion. Even for those who ''only'' play drums, to do so at any professional level usually requires either the ability to read musical notation or the talent to create beats/play by ear, and they are the backbone of the band's sound in ''many'' genres - so if they are so stupid their musicianship is awful and/or they can't keep rhythm, the ''entire band'' will usually sound awful. So it's ''not'' TruthInTelevision for the most part. On the other hand, drum kits are ''expensive'' relative to guitars and amps, and require much more practice space. If your drummer ''is'' an idiot ([[GeniusDitz probably not]]), it's not all that easy to replace him.

* Kon Kujira isn't the smartest member in ''WesternAnimation/{{Grojband}}'' obviously, but being TheBigGuy pretty much makes up for it.

Playing percussion adequately often involves managing many more actions and ideas at once than most other instruments. Real drummers who consider themselves "serious" musicians often refer to themselves as "[[InsistentTerminology percussionists]]" in an attempt to distance themselves from this trope as well as because many drummers also play general percussion. Even for those who ''only'' play drums, to do so at any professional level usually requires either the ability to read musical notation or the talent to create beats/play by ear, and they are the backbone of the band's sound in ''many'' genres - so if they are so stupid their musicianship is awful and/or they can't keep rhythm, the ''entire band'' will usually sound awful. So it's ''not'' TruthInTelevision for the most part. On the other hand, drum kits are ''expensive'' relative to guitars and amps, and require much more practice space; if your drummer ''is'' an idiot ([[GeniusDitz probably not]]), it's not all that easy to replace him.

* ''Disney/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs'': During the Silly Song, [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} Dopey]] is seen playing the drums.

* In [[VideoGame/Persona4 Persona 4]], you have to play a concert at one point, and it's resident big guy and probably dumbest guy on the team Kanji who is on drum duty. When attempting to stagedive, he even manages to land upright (and stay) on his face. Sort of averted, as [[ButtMonkey butt-monkey]] Yosuke is playing the guitar, so he may not be the most stupid player.

* ''Discworld/SoulMusic'':

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* ''Manga/KOn'' has Ritsu Tainaka. As the Light Music Club's drummer, she isn't particularly stupid, just lazy and forgetful. Although the reason she plays the drums is that she thinks playing the guitar or keyboard is too complicated and would frustrate her.

[[folder:Films -- Animated]]
* ''WesternAnimation/YellowSubmarine'': Ringo's clearly not as bright as his bandmates, but he seems more of a CloudCuckooLander than anything. [[spoiler: In the end, his quick thinking is what frees Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band from their imprisonment, which surprises everyone.]]
-->'''George:''' Ringo, I take back all I said. You're a genius.
-->'''Paul:''' Sheer genius!
-->'''Ringo:''' I know, I know, I know.

* Animal from ''Film/TheMuppetMovie'' was portrayed this way.

[[folder:New Media]]
* Bandcamp - "[[http://bandcamp.com/features So Easy Even Your Drummer Could...Well, Perhaps Not That Easy]]"
[[/folder]]

-->'''Mr. Bones''': How do you get two drummers to play in unison? Shoot one.
-->'''Mr. Bones''': Now why do bands have bass players? To explain things to the drummer.
-->'''Mr. Bones''': How do you know when a drummer is knocking at your door? The knock is out of time.
-->'''Mr. Bones''': What do you call a guy who hangs out with musicians? A drummer.

* Yahtzee from ''WebAnimation/ZeroPunctuation'' invokes this in his ''VideoGame/GuitarHero World Tour'' review in response to some of the songs having non-English lyrics.
-->'''Yahtzee:''' If you don't speak Spanish, singing them is like if the guitarist was required to play wearing mittens. Or if the drummer were required to think.

[[folder:Jokes and Anecdotes]]
* "What does it mean when the drummer's drooling out of both sides of his mouth?" "The stage is level."
* "What's got three legs and a twat at the top?" "A drum stool."
* "How do you turn a guitarist into a bassist?" "[[NobodyLovesTheBassist Knock his head on something]], but not too hard, so he doesn't turn into a drummer."
* "How many drummers does it take to change a light bulb?"
** Answer 1: "Just one, but he has to figure out not to hit it with a stick first."
** Answer 2: "Three. One to hold the lightbulb, and two to spin the stool."
* "How can you tell if there's a drummer at your door?" "The knocking speeds up and he comes in at the wrong time."
* "A percussionist is a musician. A drummer is some guy who hits things with sticks."
* "Did you hear about the guitarist who locked his keys in his car?" "It took him an hour to get the drummer out."
* "How do you confuse a drummer?" "Put sheet music in front of him."
* "What do you call a drummer who's broken up with his girlfriend?" "Homeless."
* "What do you call a guy who likes to hang out with musicians?" "A drummer."
* "Why can't drummers tell jokes timing".
* Q: What's the difference between a drummer and a drum machine?\\
A: With a drum machine you only have to punch the information in once. \\
''Alternate Answer:'' About 40 seconds by the end of the song.
* And in revenge: "How late does [band] play?" "About half a beat behind the drummer..."
* "What's the difference between a drummer and a large pizza?" "A large pizza can feed a family of four."
* "Mommy, when I grow up I want to be a drummer!" "Now dear, you can't do both."
* Two musicians [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and a drummer]] walk into a bar...
* An oft-seen story involves an interview with Music/TheBeatles:
--> "Is Ringo the best drummer in the world?"
--> "Ringo isn't even the best drummer in The Beatles."
* A similar one from an interview with Music/{{Metallica}}
-->'''Lars:''' How many drummers does it take to change a lightbulb?
-->'''James:''' One... As soon as he gets here.
[[/folder]]

--> ''"And if you're not smart enough to play drums, they take away one of your sticks, put you in the front, and call you the conductor."''

[[folder: Anime and Manga ]]

[[folder: Comics ]]

[[folder: Films -- Animated ]]

[[folder: Films -- Live-Action ]]

[[folder: Literature ]]

[[folder: Live Action TV ]]

[[folder: Music ]]

[[folder: Music Videos]]

[[folder: New Media ]]

[[folder: Theatre ]]

[[folder: Video Games ]]

[[folder: Web Animation ]]

[[folder: Web Comics ]]

[[folder: Web Original ]]

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

[[folder: Jokes and Anecdotes ]]

* ''Manga/KOn'' has Ritsu Tainaka. As the Light Music Club's drummer, she isn't particularly stupid, just lazy and forgetful. Although the reason she plays the drums is because she thinks playing the guitar or keyboard is too complicated and would frustrate her.
** As with NobodyLovesTheBassist (Mio, the bassist, is the most-loved character in ''and'' out of universe) it's kind of an inversion: the dumbest character by far is Yui, the ''lead guitarist''. [[GeniusDitz She learns to play relatively quickly, but simultaneously forgot everything else she'd learned recently and flunks an exam.]]

* ''ComicBook/ScareTactics'': This is what the rest of the band initially assume about Grossout, because he is a hulking beast who only communicates in HulkSpeak. Subverted when Grossout gets hold of Arnie's computer and types out his story. He is actually intelligent and articulate, but cannot communicate verbally because of his transformation.

* The 60's animated series ''WesternAnimation/TheBeatles'' gave Ringo this treatment.

Playing percussion adequately often involves managing many more actions and ideas at once than most other instruments. Real drummers often refer to themselves as "[[InsistentTerminology percussionists]]" in an attempt to distance themselves from this trope as well as because many drummers also play general percussion. Even for those who ''only'' play drums, to do so at any professional level usually requires either the ability to read musical notation or the talent to create beats/play by ear, and they are the backbone of the band's sound in ''many'' genres - so if they are so stupid their musicianship is awful and/or they can't keep rhythm, the ''entire band'' will usually sound awful. So it's ''not'' TruthInTelevision for the most part. On the other hand, drum kits are ''expensive'' relative to guitars and amps, and require much more practice space; if your drummer ''is'' an idiot ([[GeniusDitz probably not]]), it's not all that easy to replace him.

Compare AllDrummersAreAnimals, as there can be some overlap, and AlcoholInducedIdiocy because of the ([[TruthInTelevision not-unfounded]]) stereotype of drummers often being the heaviest drinkers in a band. Contrast NobodyLovesTheBassist.

* "What do you call a drummer who's broken up with his girlfriend?" "Homeless."

* PlayedForLaughs in ''Film/ThisIsSpinalTap''. All of their drummers get killed off.
** Three spontaneously combust
** One dies in a "bizarre gardening accident"
** One dies in a {{Noodle Incident}}
--->"A case better left unsolved"
*** They didn't really die from stupidity though. They were more a parody of high rates of mortality among musicians. There are several real life examples of "cursed" spots in certain bands, though as with everything else in Spinal Tap, it's turned up to 11 for the film.
*** Admittedly, that doesn't excuse drummer Mick Shrimpton from taking a bath with a plugged-in toaster resting on the side.

* Inverted with ''Film/ThatThingYouDo''. The drummer is the hero of the story and even inspires a brief fashion trend with his trademark sunglasses.

* Averted in ''Literature/ZeroHistory'' by Creator/WilliamGibson: Heidi Hyde is a former drummer, but it doesn't seem to have caused any lasting mental handicap.

* Averted by Music/{{Rush}}'s drummer Neil Peart, who is incredibly technical in his playing, writes the band's lyrics, has authored several books and is outright stated by both of his bandmates to "have a bigger brain than [they] do." He has even augmented his kit with instruments such as tubular bells, gongs, bell trees, and crotales. Did we mention he's incredibly technical in his playing? And definitely the most serious-minded of the group. His bandmates' antics on stage were an effort to get him to crack a smile (and they did once succeed with a roadie dressed in a chicken suit cooking a rotisserie chicken).
** Though check the comments section of any video featuring Neil playing a drum solo and you're bound to find at least one comment insisting that he's a ''percussionist,'' not a drummer.
* Zigzagged but mostly averted by Music/YoshikiHayashi of Music/XJapan. He's a virtuoso drummer - and virtuoso classical pianist, who isn't as good with but can capably play guitar, bass, and trumpet. He's also a composer, producer, wrote 90% of the lyrics and music for Music/XJapan and ''all'' of it for Music/VioletUK's works, an omniglot, and a fairly sharp businessperson. Alcohol and/or [[ItsAllAboutMe his]] [[BarBrawl occasionally]] [[DramaQueen bad]] [[TrashTheSet responses]] [[{{Wangst}} to]] [[FlameWar troublesome]] [[{{Troll}} situations]] can, however, make it seem true for him if he's caught at the wrong time.
* While Music/DaveGrohl averts this, he stated that when Music/{{Nirvana}} was in Australia getting a visa to travel to New Zealand, the consultate wrote "musician" on both Music/KurtCobain and Krist Novoselic's documents, but "drummer" on his.
* ''Strongly'' averted by Lille Gruber of Defeated Sanity, who, in addition to writing most of the band's material, is an experienced jazz drummer and theory nerd with a degree in classical composition as well.
* Averted by Yanic Bercier, former drummer for Canadian death metal band Quo Vadis. He holds a [=PhD=] in Physics from [=McGill University=].
* When Music/PhilCollins joined the early incarnation of {{Music/Genesis}}, although certainly intelligent[[note]]For his audition with the band, he learned the drum parts by listening to other drummers audition; he had never heard them before - while swimming in Peter Gabriel's pool[[/note]], he found himself falling into this role, playing comic relief to diffuse tensions between the often sarcastic and pissy boarding school graduates that made up the rest of the band.

* Meg White of Music/TheWhiteStripes has had to put up with so much criticism of her drumming style, it's no wonder she retired from music altogether when the band broke up in 2011. Criticisms range from her keeping [[ThreeChordsAndTheTruth a simple, unimaginative beat]] to [[DreadfulMusician not being able to play in time at all]]. Bandmate & ex-husband Jack White ardently defended her style, believing that most of the backlash was due to mere sexism and crediting her with being the most important element of the band's garage punk sound, while world-class drummer Brandon Khoo [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oQsKRyihEA beautifully demonstrated the true value of her playing]], [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome even using Ringo Starr as an example]]. Even Dave Grohl had her back, going as far as to liken her to drumming legends like Bonham and Moon. But Meg wasn't always able to ignore her detractors, saying that it really did get to her sometimes whereas she could usually just blow it off since she realized her own worth to the band and how vital she was to their sound.
** Meg probably wasn't terribly keen on being in a band, to begin with. Jack noted that part of why the group broke up was because she had no passion for it; for example, Jack would be over the moon about something they just did in the studio and Meg would more or less shrug in indifference & move on to the next objective. Obviously, she was never one for the rockstar lifestyle, but it's hard to tell how much of her disenchantment with the White Stripes was due to the criticism she received or just not really feeling the band lifestyle in general at some point.

* Pierce, from ''ComicStrip/{{Zits}}''. Unworldly, soft-hearted when it comes to living creatures, and lacking impulse control-yes. He's definitely not stupid, though, and the trope rarely if ever is mentioned in the strip.

Compare AllDrummersAreAnimals, as there can be some overlap, and AlcoholInducedIdiocy because of the (not-unfounded) stereotype of drummers often being the heaviest drinkers in a band. Contrast NobodyLovesTheBassist.

* Averted by Music/{{Queen}} drummer Brian May, who even has a PhD in astrophysics.