Playing the drums

Youngspanion · #1 04-20-2008, 08:18 PM

I recently took up the drums and boy what a great thing this is. After a few months, I have learned to play some pretty basic stuff and this is now my favorite thing to do. What I do is, I develop a bass line and then I record it. Then I play it back with my headphones on and play the drums to it. Of course, while I'm recording the bass, I need to use the metronome to keep myself steady. Then I have a blast. And I'm learning how to play the drums and the bass by playing the both of 'em.

anyone else play the drums?

**embellisher** · #2 04-20-2008, 08:57 PM

Drums was my first instrument, at 12. Played in my Dad's church and other churches until I was almost 16. I started bass a few months after drums, and switched for good at 16.

I still play drums on occasion, when jamming with other musicians. I have probably played in front of people 5 times in the last 15 years.

I still enjoy playing drums. But I am almost 20 years out of practice. And I was never as good as I am at bass.

Deacon_Blues · #3 04-21-2008, 04:33 AM

I love playing the drums as well. In my life, I've done only two gigs as a drummer (it was in a band I was in when I was studying abroad in 2002), but I play the drums every time I get the chance. Bad thing is that isn't too often. I actually can't say if I like to play bass or drums more...

I'd love to buy a drumkit if I had the money and knew where to put it. I think I need to buy a house first, alternatively go for an electric set for equally much money and sacrifice another 5 square meters more of my living room....

nsmar4211 · #4 04-21-2008, 08:10 AM

I've been playing percussion 16 years, drumset 8, bass 3......

I like bass better

. I originally told myself it was because there was less to move around, but the sheer weight of the equipment negates that!

What's fun is sit at the set and play the bass drum and hihat.... and your bass at the same time! It'll definetly help you learn to play the feet without thinking about them and vice verse (play the bass without thinking about it)....... just watch your headstock doesn't whack the hihat if you move

.

Jamarcla · #5 04-21-2008, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsmar4211

I've been playing percussion 16 years, drumset 8, bass 3......

I like bass better

. I originally told myself it was because there was less to move around, but the sheer weight of the equipment negates that!

What's fun is sit at the set and play the bass drum and hihat.... and your bass at the same time! It'll definetly help you learn to play the feet without thinking about them and vice verse (play the bass without thinking about it)....... just watch your headstock doesn't whack the hihat if you move

.

For example chech this video of the great Doug Johns : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qPiuOgFkCA

Youngspanion · #6 04-21-2008, 08:41 AM

That is my favorite stuff to do. Sit behind the set and play the bass and use the bass drum and hi hat on 1,2,3, and 4. Alot of fun.

Hoover · #7 04-21-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Youngspanion

anyone else play the drums?

I played in high school and college, though it was never my main instrument. By the time I was in my mid-20's I no longer had access to a full-time rehearsal space or lived in a place where it was practical to play (or even keep) keep a drumkit, so I let it slide. Sat down at a kit a couple months ago for the first time in decades, and man did I embarass myself!

So I definitely played the drums...past tense.

nsmar4211 · #8 04-21-2008, 01:28 PM

I don't do straight beats though when I mess around with set and bass at same time, I play the bass drum like I would if I were drumming. 1 3, 1 & 3, etc. Playing straight beats is easy

. I like to mess with the interplay between the bass and the drums.... doing one pattern on the set and another on the bass kicks up your coordination a notch

. Biggest problem is making sure my leg doesn't go to sleep cause of the weight of the bass LOL

Phantopeth · #9 04-21-2008, 02:57 PM

The drums were my first instrument. I started on them in the 6th grade, although not passionately until my sophomore year of high school, not-coincidentally the year I started listening to Led Zeppelin

I've gone through my phases where I'm one more than the other, although now, due to my band situation(s), I'm primarily a drummer again.

Playing drums and bass at the same time is fun

Every once and a while my guitarist will jump in, too. One thing I'd like to get somewhat proficient at is holding down the bassline with hammer-ons, and using my right hand for kit-use. Heck, that right there gives you a jazz trio! I might have to pick up an active bass