tips for jamming with a drummer?

bra5am · #1 01-19-2007, 10:29 PM

I am looking for any tips for jamming with a drummer, any tips would be very appreciated because I have a drum machine and my friend plays drums and I want to be able to get a nice beat going with either.

Man with an Axe · #2 01-20-2007, 12:35 AM

The general technique I use is to make sure that when the bass drum hits, I play a low note. In fact, sometimes in certain songs i ONLY play simultaneously with the bass drum.

Daniel Baskin · #3 01-20-2007, 12:43 AM

I believe there are no rules to this.

All you have to do is...

LISTEN...

A lot.

bra5am · #4 01-20-2007, 01:10 AM

I know I have to listen, but what should I listen for and what of my notes should I hit corresponding with what he is playing

Che · #5 01-20-2007, 02:27 AM

it just play whatever sounds good to you...there are no rules for what notes to hit when. but i guess one thing you could do is hit a low note everytime he hits the bass drum, or at the beginning of each bar, at 1?

heath_the_great · #6 01-20-2007, 07:22 AM

just watch, listen and dont think....just play

Scottgun · #7 01-20-2007, 07:33 AM

What the others said, it is simply a matter of logging hours together. Often you will hear expressions about locking in with the drummer or playing in the pocket. I always found such advice to be meaningless. If it sounds good, do it. RECORD yourselves and play it for third parties. The tape...err...the recording medium, does not lie.

Scott

Paulb7664 · #8 01-20-2007, 03:33 PM

Hi
Have a look at this link. Go to lessons, New Dimensiond 1 and 2. This is what you need to be doing.

Have fun!

Paul

http://www.bassplayer.tv/

Alec W. Conway · #9 01-20-2007, 09:47 PM

same as with your girlfriend or your wife.

sometimes you have to listen, sometimes you have to talk.

coheedfan90 · #10 01-20-2007, 10:50 PM

i don't think there are rules. when my friend and i get together, he'll just come up with a beat and I'll play whatever comes naturally.

MinorPentatonic · #11 01-21-2007, 10:25 AM

Watch each other

When he wants to go, you stay and drop back a bit

When you want to go, he stay and drop back a bit

It's a bit like attacking full backs in a game of football. No really it is.

JimmyM · #12 01-21-2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man with an Axe

The general technique I use is to make sure that when the bass drum hits, I play a low note. In fact, sometimes in certain songs i ONLY play simultaneously with the bass drum.

And people wonder why I'm so adamant against using catch phrases like "locking in with the drummer." That style of playing is so locked into the drummer that you might as well be the same person, and that's not a good thing.

Open up a little. Don't be so gung-ho to play with the bass drum at all times. Sometimes it's appropriate. Sometimes it would sound much better if you completely ignored the drummer and plowed right through him.

KeithBMI · #13 01-21-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Open up a little. Don't be so gung-ho to play with the bass drum at all times. Sometimes it's appropriate. Sometimes it would sound much better if you completely ignored the drummer and plowed right through him.

Careful. I said that once and I got a ton of "rolleyes" smilies.

JimmyM · #14 01-21-2007, 07:55 PM

Bah...these Talkbass know-it-alls who really don't know don't bother me. I've opened up for Air Supply. I know what I'm talking about.

**mr sprocket** · #15 01-21-2007, 08:09 PM

It just takes time. As you play you will develop a feel for how the drummer plays. Maybe start with jamming on a few covers to get a feel for how each other plays. Some styles will need a more locked in, play with bass drum kind of groove. Some you may be playing a groove counter to the drums. There are times the bass will take on the roll of drum or metronome will they drummer plays sommething looser.

Listen and have fun.

MakiSupaStar · #16 01-21-2007, 08:11 PM

If you both just focus on timing... you'll be alright. The rest is gravy.

heath_the_great · #17 01-21-2007, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Bah...these Talkbass know-it-alls who really don't know don't bother me. I've opened up for Air Supply. I know what I'm talking about.

fair enough....ive jammed with prince, hendrix, james brown and jamiroquai...........IN MY DREAMS BWAHAHAHAHAHA...

but seriously....being "locked in with the drummer" does not mean playing only on the kick drum... being locked in with the drummer IMO means having the same groove and idea of the groove with him/her...we all dont want to be jacos, wootens, millers, sheehans or claypools...some players such as pino palladino, hub, preston lacy, willie weeks, braylon lacy, rhonda smith, adam blackstone and so many others have this great niche to their styles where they can be so locked in with thier drummers you know they're there but you're not focusing just on them then they jump out with something so tasty that commands attention, then they sit back down (so to speak)...

IMO to be a great bass player, you dont have to be technically or stylistically advanced to a legendary level

i want to know why its not good to be so locked in with the drummer that its almost like being the same person? i though the drum and bass were the heart of the rythym section, and a band is only as good as its rythym section...

but then again it all depends which style of music you like, what your influences are and what you want to become as a bassist, but you always have to start somewhere, and learning to lock in with a drummer is the best place to start, think of it as learning to ride bike before learning to drive a car....

Paulb7664 · #18 01-22-2007, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heath_the_great

IMO to be a great bass player, you dont have to be technically or stylistically advanced to a legendary level

i want to know why its not good to be so locked in with the drummer that its almost like being the same person? i though the drum and bass were the heart of the rythym section, and a band is only as good as its rythym section...

+ 1 To this.

Ask a drummer who he listens to in the band??
Answer: The bass player.

Your job as a Bass player is to "link" the rhythm to the melody.
Listen to the drummer for timing and the singer or lead guitarist for the melody.
If you can do this you won't go far wrong.

Paul

markjazzbassist · #19 01-22-2007, 08:31 AM

before i start grooving with the beat, i like to let the drummer play a couple of bars by himself so i can get a good sense of what to do with it. Then I just work off what he's doing. Just remember, you and the drummer are Rhythm Brothers from the Rhythm Mother.

tZer · #20 01-22-2007, 09:03 AM

Don't think you have to jump out of the gate flying. Start very patiently and listen to him. Close your eyes and feel the groove. Use sparse, and simple lines to find a good fit. As you find that good fit, find where you can elaborate on an idea - a nice pick-up note here, a funky syncopation there. Before you know it, you both will be creating a rhythm section part that is founded on a connection between you two.

There is always the feeling that you wanna run before you walk, but if you take the time needed to walk solidly, running will be no problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

Just remember, you and the drummer are Rhythm Brothers from the Rhythm Mother.

^^^ What he said...