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Darman could be called a musical late bloomer. He began gaining interest in the acoustic arts in his 20s, learning percussion instruments and becoming good at playing them. The 34-year-old talks about how committed he is to his craft, the importance of practice and how Jakarta compares to the place he calls home, Yogyakarta.

How long have you been playing music?

More than 10 years. I’m a percussionist. I like playing the djembe and the tabla.

Tell me about playing the tabla.

I became interested in the instrument because of the unique sound it made. It’s a pair of hand drums, but each has a different size and timbre. Actually, the pair that I own now was a gift given to me by a friend. She heard that I had come to Jakarta to learn how to play tabla, so she decided to give me hers because she wasn’t using it.

How did your love for music start?

There was always this deep passion for music inside of me. In my 20s, I enrolled at a university to study visual arts. I had a knack for photography at the time. After a couple of years, I began to see a parallel between visual arts and music. It was not long after that I decided to start playing music.

Visual arts and music seem like two different worlds. Can you elaborate on their similarities?

In a painting, for example, there are certain elements that an artist needs to consider, like the size of a canvas, the colors, the kind of brush strokes that need to be used, etc. In the same way music is composed in a frame, and that frame contains other musical elements. Transitioning from visual arts to music was quite easy for me.

Are you a full-time musician?

Yes. Music isn’t just a hobby for me; it’s my livelihood. While I’m in Jakarta, I play in a number of gigs. I also play regularly at a reggae club.

Did you ever get the chance to play abroad?

Yes. My most memorable trip was to Japan, where I traveled with my group from Yogja. That trip was amazing. It was a good opportunity to represent Indonesia and at the same time learn about other cultures. I’m hoping to travel abroad some time this year.

How often do you rehearse?

The number of hours I spend rehearsing depends on the date of the show and the type of show. The important thing is that when it’s time to rehearse, all my energy is focused there. Rehearsals are a critical part of being a good musician, because they help you develop discipline.

Do you always travel with your instrument wherever you go?

If it’s possible, yes. You never know when you’re going to be asked to play something, so you have to be prepared. My instrument is like my sweetheart. It means a lot to me so I take great care of it. As a percussionist, you have to be connected with your instrument. My instrument and I have a strong bond.

Do you think that young Indonesians show enough appreciation for your kind of music?

Many Indonesians learn how to play the guitar and the drums without formal training, which is remarkable. When you think about places like the United States, parents pay hundreds of dollars to enroll their children in music schools. However, I think most of these Indonesians don’t realize how fortunate they are to be able to learn music on their own.

Is there a certain feeling you get when you play music?

Playing music brings comfort to me. Playing music in front of an audience gives me joy. There is a lot of spiritual significance. For example, the tabla is used in classical and devotional music in India. In West Africa, the djembe is used to communicate with the spirits. Traditionally, one has to spend many hours playing at ceremonies and festivals before becoming an official djembe player.

Do you teach your children how to play any instrument?

I don’t have a child now, but when I have one I will definitely teach him.

How would you describe Jakarta to a foreigner?

Jakarta is a big city where you can find just about anything. One of the biggest problems that the city is facing is traffic congestion, but you can always rely on an ojek [motorcycle taxi] to beat the traffic. Jakarta is the best place for starting a business, but if you want to take a vacation I would suggest Yogja.

What do you do in Yogja?

I’m originally from Sulawesi. Now you can say I live in Yogja, because that’s where I spend most of my time. I play music with a percussion group there.

Do you enjoy living in Jakarta?

Yes and no. This city has its pros and cons. I usually spend about four months here and the rest of the year in Yogja. So I am never here long enough to get fully annoyed.

Darman was talking to Dwayne Carruthers.