practicing for a CD

[low5_er]

Hey.

I have the privalege of recording a disc with some friends of mine, and I'm really digging the songs . . . basically, I want to do a really really good job. I heard a drummer say once that he knows the bassist is good if he and the bassist are so locked in together that the bass notes explode out of his foot when he hits the kick. That is one of the best ways I know of to describe being locked in together and creating a pocket. So I bust out my metronome and I'm playing along with the scratch tracks, and I am finding that I can't play "tight" with the metronome or the scratch tracks. My practice time is limited to about an hour a day, but I really want to do a studio quality job, something I'll be proud of for the rest of my life (you never know how many more opportunities you will have to record). Is there an excercise I can do that really focuses in on keeping time well and playing tight with the drums? I only have a metronome to practice with and the scratch tracks with the click on them. We aren't a band, but more friends who are playing for some gifted friend who wants to get their songs recorded and shared with the people in our area.

Thanks.
Luc

[Stumpy]

Originally Posted by low5_er

Hey.

I have the privalege of recording a disc with some friends of mine, and I'm really digging the songs . . . basically, I want to do a really really good job. I heard a drummer say once that he knows the bassist is good if he and the bassist are so locked in together that the bass notes explode out of his foot when he hits the kick. That is one of the best ways I know of to describe being locked in together and creating a pocket. So I bust out my metronome and I'm playing along with the scratch tracks, and I am finding that I can't play "tight" with the metronome or the scratch tracks. My practice time is limited to about an hour a day, but I really want to do a studio quality job, something I'll be proud of for the rest of my life (you never know how many more opportunities you will have to record). Is there an excercise I can do that really focuses in on keeping time well and playing tight with the drums? I only have a metronome to practice with and the scratch tracks with the click on them. We aren't a band, but more friends who are playing for some gifted friend who wants to get their songs recorded and shared with the people in our area.

Thanks.
Luc

Is the drummer tight with the metronome on the scratch tracks? If not you should ask if they want you metronome straight (my choice) or tight with the drummer.

The drummer is correct with the assessment. When we were going to the studio this past spring...we got to the point in the prepro that the drummer in my band asked if I was playing a particular part...Everyone said that I was. He didn't believe it. We told him that I was so locked in that the kick and the bass were one.

Very cool stuff.

[Dave Martin]

Man, I hate it when you have to decide whether to play with the click or the drummer....

[elpelotero]

best thing is to practice with the drummer...A LOT!

2 years later, I'm still getting the hang of it. I can now sense his hits a lot better and know when he'll do something. Try not to get thrown off by fills.

When you play "tight to the drummer", as opposed to metronome, they will increase and decrease tempo. Unless they played to a metronome on the recording. In this former case, you will have to literally memorize their hits.

break the song down into pieces. For example, the choruses first, then the verses.

practice the lines a lot and know exactly what you will be doing. Don't leave stuff "to figure out later." Don't practice at your speed, practice with something.