Scott Riby

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Biography

Scott began playing the drum kit at a young age in the North-East of England, where an early hobby soon developed into a professional career. After moving to Manchester and later London, he established himself as a versatile composer and multi-instrumentalist, performing with leading artists and receiving commissions for generative music, interdisciplinary collaborations, sound art installations, and scores for film, commercials, and documentaries. In 2016, he earned his teaching qualifications in compulsory and further education and has since guest-lectured at universities across the UK while teaching in schools throughout South-East Asia and Australia, all alongside an active career as a session musician. He is currently based in Singapore.

• What sparked your passion for music?

  It was always a natural passion. Even as a baby, I was constantly tapping away and singing. I used to play the piano just for fun, even though I didn’t know what I was playing, so there was always a natural connection to music.

  As I grew up, listening to different genres, whether introduced by friends or family, really influenced me and deepened my love for music.

• Do you have a favourite piece or a composer?

  It is a difficult question because I don’t think I have a single favorite piece or composer. As a music teacher, I listen to a wide variety of music.

  However, there is one piece that has deeply influenced me. When I was doing my A levels, my teacher introduced me to Debussy’s Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune. It is a beautiful, romantic, and colorful work. This piece became one of my favorites and also played a key role in drawing me further into the music industry.

• Which performance are you most proud of or resonates with you the most?

  I’ve performed in some incredible shows, such as the O2 Arena in London and the National Television Awards in 2015, both of which were unforgettable experiences.

  Still, some of my favorite performances have been in smaller venues. For example, I once played a gig in Newcastle in the northeast of England at a venue called The Pluney. I remember it as a truly special show. The crowd was really engaged, and the energy of the performance put me completely in the zone. I was so immersed in the music that I forgot I was even on stage; I simply enjoyed performing that day.

• What do you do offstage that inspires your musical artistry onstage?

  I listen to a lot of music and try to recreate what I hear on stage, which takes a lot of confidence. If there’s a drumbeat or fill that is particularly challenging, it can take time and courage to attempt it live. But I believe that if you never try it out in front of an audience, you’ll never know how it works or get feedback from others.

  When I’m performing in a show, I often listen to different drumbeats and think about whether they connect to the piece I’m playing. I’ll try them out in practice and then decide if I want to include them on stage. Most of the time I do, but it depends on the context. If it’s a very serious performance, like in an orchestra, improvising could throw everyone off since they wouldn’t know how to respond.

• Do you have any unique practice techniques or routines?

  I used to practice a lot, especially with drumless tracks, where I could listen and improvise or create my own drum sections.

  Connecting to the earlier question, I would also listen to other drum beats on YouTube and try playing them in a different tempo or rhythm to see how they fit into other musical genres.

• What’s the weirdest or silliest thing you’ve done while practicing?

  When I used to practice a lot, I would set my alarm to wake up in the early hours of the morning, thinking it would be more beneficial than sleeping. I often woke up around 4 a.m. to do an hour of practice.

  I remember when I lived in London and had a roommate. One morning, while I was practicing on a practice pad, he came in and asked what I was doing since it was so early. He got angry and lectured me, and after that incident, I stopped practicing in the mornings.

• What are some of the artistic or personal goals you're striving toward as a musician?

  I think my goals have changed over time. Since I am a teacher now, I can’t play in venues as much as I used to. In the past, my dream was to become the best drummer in the world, and at the time I felt that if I stuck with that goal, I could achieve it with all the different gigs and venues I had the chance to attend.

  As I grew older, however, my goals shifted. Being married and wanting to start a family means that I can’t realistically travel around the world for performances, since I would be away from home for months. Instead, I now aim to stay connected to music in different ways, whether by listening or playing. Ultimately, my goal has become to inspire teenagers and younger students to develop a broader understanding of music.

To learn more about Scott Riby you can visit his website.