With me it isn't so much about efficiency. I feel like I have had a good session if I was satisfied artistically, or I was productive, or I learned something. Because I know that three years from now I will look back on a lot of growth, if I simply trust the work now.
I trust rhythm.
I can achieve it by performing (a form of programming) or by programming (a form of performance). ....... gee, I really hope I start a flame war with that.
Drummers can do stuff that I can't with my computer. I can do stuff that a drummer can't do.
They invested thousands of dollars in skins, cymbals, and microphones. I got more monitors, and computer stuff.
We both need to practice. We both need to understand how to think and express in rhythmic phrases,
Counting, tapping the foot, and clapping, still work.
We will both produce something artistic. Not better, not worse, just different.
A basic beat provides an easy foundation to work up a lot of music to. It is easy to place in the mix to help intuit a nice balance. With the computer, you can always come back a year from now when your chops are more developed. I love that option.
If you have midi files, you can edit with abandon.
Maybe it's the bare feet, but I think it is really that she plays along, got herself in the game, with world class artists.