How long do you practice?
I usually practice for an hour and a half at the most. No more than that. If you practice too long you will get tired or bored. Focus on one thing with all your energy for a reasonable amount of time and then stop to take a break. You will be better at it when you come back to it.
How do you know when to play?
I know when to play when I hear different parts of the music (cue) tell me when to get ready to play. Other times I watch the conductor if I'm in a choir or a band.
How do you know when to follow the other musicians?
Playing with other musicians is teamwork. It's not about everyone doing their own thing. The sounds will be too busy/messy. In a good music ensemble (group), musicians listen to each other to know when to take the lead and when to be a teammate and let the other person shine.
How do you do concerts?
As far as doing concerts, you have to know people who have the connections to the places that you want to perform at. You could call and ask, but it's a lot better if you get out and meet people face to face. After you perform a lot of places and sound really good, people will ask you to do concerts for them and you won't have to look too far.
Who are your favorite drummers?
My favorite drummers are Dave Weckle, Steve Gadd, Tony Royster Jr., and Aaron Spears
Do you make good money?
Yes there are times when I make really good money being a musician but it is not a consistent business. You have to be committed to getting really good to make sure that you make enough money when you do play since there may not be a lot of opportunities to perform. Several musicians travel to other places to perform so that they continue to make money regularly. I usually make really good money during the summer months when I'm not teaching school.