Was offered to jam with REAL session drummer, HELP!

RWP · #1 01-17-2007, 02:51 PM

A friend of mine introduced me to guy that has made it big in the world of session drumming. He apparently has a full Pro Tools studio in his basement and makes a living doing drum tracks for commercials, TV shows and the like. He knows I play bass and we hit it off talking about the various aspects of the business. He then offered to have me over to jam.

OK so here it the question, I haven't gigged in years and although I play a lot at home I would hate to get there be a huge disappointment to both of us. What should I bone up on? What would be something cool to learn that works well with just drums and bass? I have some ideas but would love to get other suggestions. THANKS!

Bassic83 · #2 01-17-2007, 03:04 PM

THE most important thing on bass in the studio is....

TIME IS NOT A MAGAZINE!

You can play an open E, whole notes, 1 per measure, and if your time is great, it'll swing like a monkey from a tree...

On the other hand, you can play every note on the bass, but if your time sucks, you'll just make everyone mad.

Only YOU can choose to groove!

Seriously, sometimes bass is all about what you DON'T play, and leaving space. This is especially apparent in the studio. Producers generally look at whether you can groove, then your overall tone.

What turns people's stomach is if you show up late, drunk or stoned, if you come unprepared, and if you stink. Literally- I know of at least one guy who was booted off a project due to his lack of personal hygiene!

All that said, relax, and go have fun. It's a jam, not a Steely Dan session! Just remember to groove and leave plenty of space.

OK, lecture over. We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread...

Lobster11 · #3 01-17-2007, 03:24 PM

The guy invited you over to jam, not for an audition. Relax! It's not a contest, you're not being tested, and the worst thing that can happen is that one or both of you decide not to do it again. My guess it that you'll probably wind up spending half the time just talking and fooling around, getting more comfortable and familiar with each other with an eye toward future playing if you enjoy each other's company. I don't think I'd worry about "boning up" on anything particular at this point, though if y'all figure out stuff you want to try to do together you might have some specific things to work on before next time.

I agree that you probably shouldn't show up drunk or stoned, but I always show up with some good beer to share. Have fun and let us know how it goes!

Baryonyx · #4 01-17-2007, 03:48 PM

Just go there and play your heart out, and if it floats then you're onto a good thing!

Lobster11 · #5 01-20-2007, 12:16 PM

So has this jam happened yet? I'd like to hear how it turned out!

Scottgun · #6 01-20-2007, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWP

What should I bone up on? What would be something cool to learn that works well with just drums and bass? I have some ideas but would love to get other suggestions. THANKS!

If you know what the guy likes/plays, just find some tracks and play along. The first thing I do before checking out new people is ask for a set list before hand or any recordings they have done, get them and learn them. I show up to the audition/jam and assert myself by saying, "Hey, I know _________ pretty well, mind if we warm up with that?" I've yet to hear a no to that request. This way the first thing they hear from me is something I'm strong on.

Scott

markjazzbassist · #7 01-20-2007, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lobster11

The guy invited you over to jam, not for an audition. Relax! It's not a contest, you're not being tested, and the worst thing that can happen is that one or both of you decide not to do it again. My guess it that you'll probably wind up spending half the time just talking and fooling around, getting more comfortable and familiar with each other with an eye toward future playing if you enjoy each other's company. I don't think I'd worry about "boning up" on anything particular at this point, though if y'all figure out stuff you want to try to do together you might have some specific things to work on before next time.

I agree that you probably shouldn't show up drunk or stoned, but I always show up with some good beer to share. Have fun and let us know how it goes!

+1

just jam bro. no worries. be confident and you'll have a great time.

CamMcIntyre · #8 01-20-2007, 03:36 PM

It's a jam w/a cat that could possibly get you some work. I'd jump at it. Worst case scenario is it feels funny. No matter what you'll have had the opportunity to jam with someone who you could pick their brain later.

take it easy.

Matt Till · #9 01-21-2007, 05:20 PM

This sounds egotistical, but, if I have a good drummer in a jam... I sound awesome. It's not because I'm that great though... it's all about LISTENING to the drums. Wow, how obvious is that? Right, but still. Whenever I've jammed with drummers, the better they are, the better I am... which once again, makes a ton of sense.

SO, what I'm saying, this guy is a pro... that means he's good. You don't do session work if you suck, fact. So, if you can lock in with a drummer/compliment what he's doing, you should be set.

MakiSupaStar · #10 01-21-2007, 07:25 PM

Keep this in mind...

Good drummers are the EASIEST guys to jam with. That's why they're good.

This kind of happened to me last week. I was jamming with some guys and it was kind of an open mike hip-hop battle session. Anyway, being the only bass player there, I was jamming all night with hip-hop dude rapping over the top. First time I've ever played hip-hop. Ended up being a lot of cool grooves and it just became a big jam session. Anyway, long story short. The guy sitting behind the kit was just right on and ripping the whole night. I kept looking over at him and he'd look over at me and we'd just bust up laughing. I later asked him what was so funny, and explained it to me like this... We had all this craziness going on (dudes rapping) hack guitarists, guys coming in a playing congas, djembe's, harmonicas, and a dijiridoo, and somewhere in the middle of all this chaos we met, musically shook hands, said hello, and realized that we locked really well. Turns out the guy toured with The Pharcyde and a bunch of other acts, and just ripped. He wants to hook up and jam again... So that's a good sign. But my point is this. A good drummer is a good drummer because he's easy to play with, so this jam should be the easiest jam of your life.

Matt Till · #11 01-21-2007, 09:52 PM

That is an awesome story Maki, and I can totally back you, the same thing has happened with me.