Ask a drummer

[Lost Drummer]

In case you don't know me I'm a noob bassist who comes from a drumming background... If there is anything you wanted to ask a drummer but didn't, here's your chance.

Hit me!

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Lost Drummer

Hit me!

Tempt us not!

MM

[Lost Drummer]

Woah slugger! I'm a bassist too. A new bassist but a bassist none the less.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Lost Drummer

Woah slugger! I'm a bassist too. A new bassist but a bassist none the less.

OK, brother. In that case: Do you think that drummers generally hear music in a different way than musicians who play more tonal instruments? For example, are they generally more likely to perceive and respond to such relatively non-tonal elements as changes in dynamics or changes in tempo, than they would to things like key changes or changing chord progressions?

And do they really howl at the full moon?

MM

[Petebass]

I've got a question. I played one gig on drums (don't ask, long story) and really struggled with the tonality of the other instruments. Why? Because you're sitting behind all the speaker cabs. Did that trouble you? Would it trouble you now that you've had a chance to stand in front of the speaker cabs and can hear them the way they were intended?

[Joey3313]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

OK, brother. In that case: Do you think that drummers generally hear music in a different way than musicians who play more tonal instruments? For example, are they generally more likely to perceive and respond to such relatively non-tonal elements as changes in dynamics or changes in tempo, than they would to things like key changes or changing chord progressions?

And do they really howl at the full moon?

MM

I don't mean to steal this thread, but as someone in the same position as the threatstarter, I can answer as well:

Yes, I do believe that drummers respond more to changes in tempo and dynamics moreso than changes in chord progessions.

I know that when I am listening to a song for the drum parts, in addition to hearing what the drums are doing, I'm listening to those things more than what the guitar is playing, whereas if I am listening to the song for the bass or guitar parts, the dynamics and tempo are somewhat secondary to the chord progessions.

Dynamics and tempo are literally two of the most important things for a drummer to possess, so it makes sense they would listen for those things above all else.

IMO. Maybe I'm just weird.

[88persuader]

I'm also a drummer. Played drums professionally for the 1st 20 years of my musical career before moving to bass and keyboards. As a drummer I aproached music in almost a mathamatical way rather then a melodic way. (I was big into odd time signatures and poly-rhythms ... Think Bill Bruford) Many of the BEST bass players started out as drummers. (For example Mark King started out as a drummer) When a bass player has drums in their background it's easier to understand where the drummer you work with is coming from and it's easier to find the pocket they like to play in. Some drummers like to play in front of the beat, some right on and some behind ... it really helps to be able to hear and understand their aproach so you can lock in with them. I think you can tell a bass player who started as a drummer because their aproach is more rhythmic. They can lay into a simple pattern and make it swing and move rather then just play the notes. I'd suggest ALL bass players study drums or at least really listen to them, understand the way your favorite drummers think, understand the way the drummer you gig with thinks. Definitely a marrage! A good drummer and bass player combo will make any band cook even if the other musicians are lack luster.

[Lost Drummer]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

OK, brother. In that case: Do you think that drummers generally hear music in a different way than musicians who play more tonal instruments? For example, are they generally more likely to perceive and respond to such relatively non-tonal elements as changes in dynamics or changes in tempo, than they would to things like key changes or changing chord progressions?

And do they really howl at the full moon?

MM

Yes we do hear music differently. if music is a language. drummers talk, bassists hum, and guitarists sing.
when I say we talk I mean our instrument is closer to spoken word. Short and staccato with a lot of space in between the notes. When I say bassists hum I basically mean singing in the low range. the low frequency makes it more difficult to cut through to the front of the music than a high pitched instrument like a guitar.

Yes drummers will respond to a change in tempo more than a change in key because we are the noise makers. we have no real access to the area of tone so we are unlikely to drastically effected by such because it doesn't matter so much to us.

an of course we howl at the full moon... especially when not sober.

[Lost Drummer]

Originally Posted by Petebass

I've got a question. I played one gig on drums (don't ask, long story) and really struggled with the tonality of the other instruments. Why? Because you're sitting behind all the speaker cabs. Did that trouble you? Would it trouble you now that you've had a chance to stand in front of the speaker cabs and can hear them the way they were intended?

once again I'm a new bassist so I haven't had the opportunity to listen with a bassist ear in the drummer's seat. though I suspect that yes I would probably get a little upset with the tonality of the other instruments. I would just have to trust that everything was done correctly at sound check.

[Lost Drummer]

Originally Posted by 88persuader

I'm also a drummer. Played drums professionally for the 1st 20 years of my musical career before moving to bass and keyboards. As a drummer I approached music in almost a mathematical way rather then a melodic way. (I was big into odd time signatures and ploy-rhythms ... Think Bill Bruford) Many of the BEST bass players started out as drummers. (For example Mark King started out as a drummer) When a bass player has drums in their background it's easier to understand where the drummer you work with is coming from and it's easier to find the pocket they like to play in. Some drummers like to play in front of the beat, some right on and some behind ... it really helps to be able to hear and understand their approach so you can lock in with them. I think you can tell a bass player who started as a drummer because their approach is more rhythmic. They can lay into a simple pattern and make it swing and move rather then just play the notes. I'd suggest ALL bass players study drums or at least really listen to them, understand the way your favorite drummers think, understand the way the drummer you gig with thinks. Definitely a marriage! A good drummer and bass player combo will make any band cook even if the other musicians are lack luster.

hear hear.

I once heard Billy Ward (great drummer) say "I don't have the time I just borrow it." Drummers have the best knife in the band to slice up the time. because all our notes are short. from there the bassist sets up an undertow that completes the foundation of the song. from there the guitarist and singer do whatever it is that guitarists and singers do while we hold down the groove.

[Lost Drummer]

Originally Posted by Joey3313

I don't mean to steal this thread, but as someone in the same position as the threatstarter, I can answer as well:

Yes, I do believe that drummers respond more to changes in tempo and dynamics moreso than changes in chord progessions.

I know that when I am listening to a song for the drum parts, in addition to hearing what the drums are doing, I'm listening to those things more than what the guitar is playing, whereas if I am listening to the song for the bass or guitar parts, the dynamics and tempo are somewhat secondary to the chord progessions.

Dynamics and tempo are literally two of the most important things for a drummer to possess, so it makes sense they would listen for those things above all else.

IMO. Maybe I'm just weird.

good stuff.

Feel free to help me out with some of these questions.

[Phalex]

The question I'm always asking myself about drummers:

What The Hell Are You Thinking?!?!

[Lost Drummer]

in regards to what?

have they just gone out of time?

gazing into space?

what?

[Musiclogic]

why would a drummer take up bass??? to broaden your musical horizons? or is it just string envy?...LMAO J/K

[Lost Drummer]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

why would a drummer take up bass??? to broaden your musical horizons? or is it just string envy?...LMAO J/K

to gain a more thorough understanding of the rhythm section.

that and slap bass is really cool.

[Musiclogic]

Originally Posted by Lost Drummer

that and slap bass is really cool.

Imagine that statement comming from a drummer.....LMAO

a percussive approach to a stringed instrument being cool.....that is exactly what I would expect.

+1....excellent answers

I still think it's string envy....LMAO

[CelinderMotoMan]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

Do you think that drummers generally hear music in a different way than musicians who play more tonal instruments?

You mean drummers can hear music? I thought that you had to actually listen to hear something.

[Lost Drummer]

i gotta say that slap is what drew me in. i truly started appreciating the bass when i started jamming with a bassist friend of mine.

[Lost Drummer]

Originally Posted by CelinderMotoMan

You mean drummers can hear music? I thought that you had to actually listen to hear something.

we do listen... just not all the time... especially not when the guy with the really big guitar is talking

[Microbass]

i read one of these types of threads a while ago, and inspired me to learn basic drum beats, so that maybe i could get more insight as to why my drummer consistently under performs.

after a weeks... i have found my rthym to have improved, timing as well.

alas with no understanding as to why he still sucks.