play drumset?

[iplaybassguitar]

i dont totally agree with the fact that is enhances your knowledge of bass, cuz it doesnt, but it does help you establish rock solid timing and groove, and it also lets you see how the drummer views your bass playing.

[Ibanezzer]

I picked up my first drumset about 8 months ago, been playing bass for about 3 years now. I think it has helped with timing and such and it gave me some more ideas to think about when I get stuck on somethign with bass. Also its wierd but I hate practicing with a metronome on bass but actually enjoy practing drum beats to the metronome. My kit hasn't seen a whole lot of use, maybe a few hours each week, but it has helped me.

[Mike N]

I played drums for 16 years before switching to Bass.

[Edwcdc]

I got a cheap kit about two years ago and my main goal was to have a kit in my studio for recording and for rehearsals. I started learning how to play beats so I would have something to play when I was learning micing techniques. I also did a lot of tuning. I recently upgraded by getting new drums. I bought a PDP birch kit. This thing sounds great with Evans G2 coated heads on it. All that effort I put in learning how to tune crappy drums has paid off at least.
I want to get better on drums but I don't practice enough.
As far as helping my bass playing, I don't see much difference.

[steveb98]

I have tried to play drums and really suck at it, but did do one gig double drumming. When I was a recording engineer I got into tuning drums, because the average drummer is bad at tuning drums. There used to a couple studio drummers that worked all the time because their drums sounded so good and recorded so well. Being time is money in the studio (back in my day), if we can just throw up mic's and the drums sound great that is money saved.

What I have noticed over the years is many bass player later on start playing drum even if only for fun. You spend so much time listening and working with drummers, and getting picky about drummers it only make sense to want to try it out. A couple guys I know play great on both drums and bass. When I run into them at gig first question is which they are play.

So I think playing enough drums to understand the instrument and how a drummer thinks is a good thing. We also give weight to your comments to a drummer, because they know you understand their axe.

[derrico1]

Originally Posted by iplaybassguitar

i dont totally agree with the fact that is enhances your knowledge of bass, cuz it doesnt, but it does help you establish rock solid timing and groove, and it also lets you see how the drummer views your bass playing.

+1

Playing drums and taking lessons probably hasn't made me a better bassist, but it has helped my

* songwriting

* ability to talk w/ drummers about possible alternative grooves and accents in tunes we're playing (In the old days, we had to try variations until something clicked, and then I'd say "Great! Play that thing you just played. No! Not that one -- the one before you started the hat thingy...")

* demos


Beyond that, having my own kit makes it easier to play with a bunch of drummers since they don't have to cart their kit and set it up.

BTW, if you're thinking of learning to play kit and awfulness is an issue -- or if your living arrangements aren't friendly to loud drums -- I highly recommend acoustic drum kit with mesh heads and cymbal pads --> drums triggers -->a trigger-to-MIDI interface (an Alesis D4 or D5 can be had for fairly cheap these days)-->drum sample software.

The look and feel is very similar to an acoustic set, and the sounds are as good as your drum sample software (i.e., probably an awful lot more polished and balanced than the sounds you're going to get if you aren't a great drummer playing a well maintained, high quality kit w/ genre-appropriate mics, mic placement, and processing). Best of all, you'll have a set that you can play essentially silently through headphones, or crank to concert volume through a PA, as your mood and needs dictate.

Nice if you share living quarters with others, or if you have kids who are likely to want to play your drumset.

[Amenra]

i love playing drums. I always try to get some playtime when we rehearse with our band. the funny thing (and really sad actually) is that our drummer isn't good at all, he doesn't have any talent nor does he practise a lot to make up for the lack of talent. So everytime i ask him if i can play some drums he's always very suspicious and tells me to be really careful not to break the cymbals or sticks. On a sidenote: he thinks he's awesome on drums.

But since i never took any lessons i think i can become a decent drummer. Always wanted a drumset but 1. i dont have the money and 2. my parents won't like the noise

however there will be a day i'll own my own drumset!!!

[drumsnbass]

for all you neophyte aspiring drummers, I highly recomment the book "Rockin' Bass Drum". You can get it on amazon, and this little book will teach you a lot in no time. Best beginner book I ever saw/used when I started.

[Phantopeth]

My first instrument was the drums, and then I picked up the bass a couple of years later. Back then, I took private lessons (bass) and my instructor was also a drummer, so we would do just what you're hoping to do with your students. I think it's a great idea. I think it could prove to be a good way to instill good listening and grooving skills in young bassists.