Band practice with a click

megadan · #1 12-04-2008, 10:41 AM

had a full band practice last night where we ran the drum machine through the PA for a click track. Worked really well, we sounded tight and it really smoothed out a lot of tempo issues.

We've used the click before in the studio, and when the drummer couldn't make it, but this was the first time with (almost) everyone there (missing one guitarist). Does anyone else do this?

joelc1319 · #2 12-04-2008, 10:48 AM

Excellent to hear. My band does the same thing when we have access to one (that we can all hear, haha). It really makes things tighter and then later when we remove the click we still have the tightness. It helps to have everyone on the same page too, so there are no arguments about anyone slowing down or speeding up

Also, we try to start with say, the click on the 8th note, then do it with the quarter note, then half note, then we turn it off. It really locks everything in!

megadan · #3 12-04-2008, 10:52 AM

I found some songs worked with the eighth note click, but one song with a complex triplet section needed a quarter note click. But I think you're right, trying to stick with the quarter note click can be tougher, but I think it's better practice!

Mike Saville · #4 12-04-2008, 11:57 AM

Good to hear - just make sure you don't become too reliant on it

I'm very much in favour or practice with a click/metronome - however it should not be used all the time.

You want to use these tools to develop an internal sense of time that you can rely on when the click isn't there. So practice with and with out the click.

If you have a drum machine you could try setting it up for 2 bars of time followed by 2 bars of silence. It's a good test to see if you can maintain accurate tempo until the DM comes back in. As you get better increase the number of silent bars

Sarbecue Boss · #5 12-04-2008, 12:32 PM

Yes- Every church gig I do now has a click through the in ears, every recording in the studio I do has a click, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

joelc1319 · #6 12-04-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Saville

Good to hear - just make sure you don't become too reliant on it

I'm very much in favour or practice with a click/metronome - however it should not be used all the time.

You want to use these tools to develop an internal sense of time that you can rely on when the click isn't there. So practice with and with out the click.

If you have a drum machine you could try setting it up for 2 bars of time followed by 2 bars of silence. It's a good test to see if you can maintain accurate tempo until the DM comes back in. As you get better increase the number of silent bars

+1,000,000. The last thing we all want to do is become as robotic as metronomes are!

MatticusMania · #7 12-04-2008, 03:10 PM

I hate click tracks and refuse to use them, let a drummer practice to a click, and then I'll practice to the drums...

megadan · #8 12-04-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I hate click tracks and refuse to use them, let a drummer practice to a click, and then I'll practice to the drums...

But if your tempo is sketchy and you're moving up and down, your drummer is naturally going to to be slowing up and speeding down with you. Try both of you practicing to the click.

Sometimes hating the click is a result of thinking the click is messing up or doesn't work with your music - if it seems like the click is off, it's probably you and you don't even realize it! We play very complex music (with precision, not speed) and we have no problem playing to a click, even in parts we previously thought where "on purpose" tempo changes!

Seriously, I don't practice by myself with a click, and I wouldn't do it at every practice, but as an occasional tool, I think it's very useful.

bikeplate · #9 12-04-2008, 03:42 PM

Hi

Very pro. I salute you.

Rob

megadan · #10 12-04-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelc1319

+1,000,000. The last thing we all want to do is become as robotic as metronomes are!

Not to disagree, but I can't see any downside in being extremely tight. I'm a big fan of playing "dissonant" jazz rhythms and off time/on time figures so I don't think I'm likely to become robotic. Practicing that style of rhythm with a click is essential, as well, imho.

megadan · #11 12-04-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikeplate

Hi

Very pro. I salute you.

Rob

I said to the band, well, now we've moved up to another level of band nerdiness

Next step will be IEMs haha (we're a young and loud and weird type of band)

bikeplate · #12 12-04-2008, 03:59 PM

HI

Refreshing to hear younger people conerned with tempo and the such. You'll reap the benefits in the future, be it collectively or individually as band members or sidemen. Keep it up and best of luck

Rob

CindyB · #13 12-04-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megadan

Sometimes hating the click is a result of thinking the click is messing up or doesn't work with your music - if it seems like the click is off, it's probably you and you don't even realize it! We play very complex music (with precision, not speed) and we have no problem playing to a click, even in parts we previously thought where "on purpose" tempo changes!

+100
Right on! I've heard musicians (well, guitar players anyway) complain that the click was speeding up and slowing down. The drummer and I have had huge arguments with them. I had to bring in my drum machine with a "tap tempo" function to prove to a guitarist that the tempo we had for various songs was correct. (Tap along with the iPod - hard to argue with that.

)

I like to practice to the drum machine at home because it's easier to practice the groove. I'm a big fan of tight rhythm.

Cindy

joelc1319 · #14 12-04-2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megadan

Not to disagree, but I can't see any downside in being extremely tight. I'm a big fan of playing "dissonant" jazz rhythms and off time/on time figures so I don't think I'm likely to become robotic. Practicing that style of rhythm with a click is essential, as well, imho.

Personally I think "tight" and "metronomic" are two different things - tight meaning you and the group are moving as one unit, together, breathing as one. Metronomic to me means that there is no human element to the playing; it's all just too perfect (pretty much impossible to pull off however, so your point is definitely valid!)

Jeff Berlin once said that no one should practice with a metronome, for fear of them becoming too robotic or not "feeling" the music. I, along with most of the rest of us, would have to respectfully disagree - few have a solid enough internal clock to be able to always play as perfect and on the beat as possible, even though Mr. Berlin might!

Snerek · #15 12-04-2008, 04:26 PM

i often wonder when i see these lame bands on tv with their in ear monitors if they are playing to a click or just 'playing' to the backtrack.

Michael Case · #16 12-04-2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelc1319

+1,000,000. The last thing we all want to do is become as robotic as metronomes are!

Sure, right, yeah.

Michael Case · #17 12-04-2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I hate click tracks and refuse to use them, let a drummer practice to a click, and then I'll practice to the drums...

?

Stumbo · #18 12-04-2008, 09:57 PM

Click tracks, drum machines (as metronomes) and such are tools of the trade. Hating a metronome is like an auto mechanic hating a torque spec.

sirpug · #19 12-04-2008, 10:39 PM

What about songs that change tempo? Is there a metronome that you can set with different preprogrammed tempo changes that has a foot switch or something? My band is starting to do a few songs that have tempo changes (i.e. 80bpm to 130bpm and back).

joelc1319 · #20 12-04-2008, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Case

Sure, right, yeah.

Read my 3rd post for clarification, thanks.