Do you like your drummer?

Kimpini · #1 07-06-2008, 07:01 PM

Saw a thread of someone saying drummers suck, how often is that true?

Waspinators · #2 07-06-2008, 07:07 PM

Meh, it bothers me when people talk so much crap about their drummers. My band is falling apart because of how unbelievably hard it is to find a drummer around here... I'd give anything for a good metal drummer, regardless of how loud/stupid.

LumpyGravy · #3 07-06-2008, 07:19 PM

Well, that kind of hits close to home for me. Besides being a bass player, I have been learning drums for 3 months. I am having such a blast. I have a lot more respect for drummers, now. Think about it, bass and guitarists only use 2 limbs. Drummers 4. And not all in unison. learning how to use all four independently is not a walk in the park. I am going to double bass pedal to help strengthen and coordinate my left foot. Also rudiments, there are roughly 40 to learn. A bunch are variations, but to learn them and apply them to the kit is How drums are played. How about keeping a constant steady pulse, so the whole band can play as a band. Believe me, I am not bagging on you. I am and have been a bass player for 24 yrs. I do enjoy it and am very passionate about it. Just remember when you listen to music, your ear tends to look for the bass. Well right next to the bass is the drummer. I have been listening to what the drummers are doing, and there is a lot that goes on.

It is also important to play with the drummer. He/she is the other half to your rhythm section. Play with them. Get that pulse going. Locking in with a drummer will make your band sound a great deal better. I love playing with my drummer. We have a tight relationship. Now, I listen to him even more. I can almost anticipate where and what he will do. It's a really good feeling.

I hope I didn't offend. I merely wanted to educate and express an opinion.

ryco · #4 07-06-2008, 07:21 PM

I LOVE my drummer! I am so fortunate to be playing with him. Every gig is like a lesson!

Lemoore-on · #5 07-06-2008, 07:33 PM

This drummer is why I stay with this band. He is not the best (tech/therory) but we click better than any drummer I have ever played with.

Aenima · #6 07-06-2008, 07:35 PM

Our new drummer is probably the nicest guy in the band, not to mention he is a beast on the kit

ErebusBass · #7 07-06-2008, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waspinators

Meh, it bothers me when people talk so much crap about their drummers. My band is falling apart because of how unbelievably hard it is to find a drummer around here... I'd give anything for a good metal drummer, regardless of how loud/stupid.

A-F******-MEN! My band has always been on a never-ending search for a good metal drummer. We found one a couple months ago, but he decided he'd rather play death metal, and that's just not our thing.

bassteban · #8 07-06-2008, 07:51 PM

I can't vote; 'like' just ain't the word for how I feel about my drummer. It's even beyond love- it's telepathic, I tell you. For instance- right now he's several hundred miles away, yet I know which beat is going on in his head. It's the same one in my head. I've played w/technically better drummers, & mine's just a hair & a half slower in tempo than what I prefer, but I've never communicated so well w/another musician. If you add a choice that goes w/this description I'll vote.

Marley's Ghost · #9 07-06-2008, 07:53 PM

I dig our new drummer. He is solid and in the pocket. The old guy was a head case, never played a song the same way twice. Drove me nuts.

ric1312 · #10 07-06-2008, 07:54 PM

The drummer I have now is an awesome dude, and would still be my friend even if we didn't jam together.

Every other drummer I played with = ahole or social ******.

capnsandwich · #11 07-06-2008, 08:00 PM

My drummer's a cool cat. He's a little dense when it comes to humor and can sometimes be arrogant with his abilities, since he is a good drummer, but overall he's a cool guy with plenty of skill and experience. I first played with him in church when he married the pastor's niece. He started on the drums and before long he was the #1 in the church rotation. He really allowed me to open up in some of the songs since he had better feel than the other drummers in the church.

Then he asked me to join his band. That's where his drumming skills shined. He's probably the closest thing to Neil Pert than any other drummer I've heard but he can also groove with the best of them. One of the most solid drummers I've ever played with and can be depended on in any musical situation, but then again you have to get him to show up on time first. That's one of his weak points.

fetfet · #12 07-06-2008, 08:34 PM

I like my drummer as a person, but he's a control freak. And he's almost as lazy as our singer.

Lesfunk · #13 07-06-2008, 08:35 PM

Personally or musically?

b to g is yummy · #14 07-06-2008, 08:39 PM

I'm sure there are people who fit somewhere between the extremes of love and hate, but I voted for love. He's a cool guy, not the greatest drummer in the world, and I wish he'd do some lessons with at least books, but he's improved by far the most in my band's existance. He's leaving for a few months, makes me sad...sniff!!

fetfet · #15 07-06-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lesfunk

Personally or musically?

Both, sadly.

sandman · #16 07-06-2008, 08:47 PM

i love our drummer...., i like most drummers i meet. they're awesome, it's just so physical what they do!

Jeff K · #17 07-06-2008, 09:37 PM

My band has been together 14 years, but we're on our 3rd drummer. (No, we're not hard to get along with - the first two moved out of state.) Both the 2nd and current one are real nice guys, but I still miss our first one. He was head and shoulders the best of the three, and a very good friend as well. Plus, we played together for over 10 years.

Our current drummer is a really nice guy, and a good singer, but not real technically proficient. He's hard to lock in with because his timing isn't consistent.

rokkitt · #18 07-06-2008, 09:43 PM

mine is really cool!

here's to Gary! drummer for The Aces!

big al

ZonGuy · #19 07-06-2008, 09:49 PM

If the dude is dependable and professional and has good time and groove and will cooperate in that bass-drums subliminal hook-up.....

Whats not to love????

I don't play in a band, so its a different drummer for every session. Being a nice guy helps, but its no substitute for a strong right foot.

LumpyGravy · #20 07-06-2008, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff K

My band has been together 14 years, but we're on our 3rd drummer. (No, we're not hard to get along with - the first two moved out of state.) Both the 2nd and current one are real nice guys, but I still miss our first one. He was head and shoulders the best of the three, and a very good friend as well. Plus, we played together for over 10 years.

Our current drummer is a really nice guy, and a good singer, but not real technically proficient. He's hard to lock in with because his timing isn't consistent.

Is he "self taught"? Can you in a roundabout way get him to practice with a metronome? Or can just the 2 of you play together? Give him a steady beat to listen to.