Drums, the other part of the rhythm section

[fink_91]

I have been wondering how exactly the bass and the drums work together and where to find "stability" between the guitar and the drums and maybe some exercises or advice on working with a drummer...I hope I'm making myself clear on what I'm asking.

[Traver]

Depends on the sound you want, there are no rules in music.

[dulouz]

It depends on a lot. You and the drummer have to be compatible. I have found that some drummers are easier to play with than others. I am sure that some drummers don't like playing with me.

All you can do is listen to each other. Thankfully I have a drummer that is really great to work with. He makes playing the bass so easy and fun.

[infamousxtopher]

i have recently started taking drum lessons, and understanding the instrument better helps me to lock in better, understanding what the drummer is really doing.

[MarkTAW]

I've always enjoyed working with drummers I was compatible with and hated working with drummers I wasn't compatible with. Guitarists are less important to me, but still important. There's a delicate balance between taking up enough space to support the other instruments, but not overpowering them.

Where to find the balance depends really on the situation - the heavier or more full the guitars, the more the bass will tend to get lost in the mix so you need to go simpler, the more sparse the guitars, the more room you can take up (or not, as is aesthetically your choice to make). The same goes for the drums - I really hate drummers that play like drum machines just playing kick snare kick snare, especially the ones that *sometimes* delay the kick drum on 3 - it gives you no room to move about outside of the lock-step rhythm.

This is one of those areas where you get to assert your personality, and while some people will disagree with your choices, they are yours to make (and the bands to agree or disagree with).