Drummer uses me as a metronome

NickInMesa · #1 06-26-2009, 07:00 PM

I went to play with a beginner drummer, who is actually not bad at all, I think he is a natural, but his sense of rhythm is absolutely not right.

On top of the guitarist we played with mostly plays by himself, so he ended up adding notes here and there, so I had to be the chord cop (something which bassists are not supposed to do but we all do).

These two are putting a band together and since they are quasi neighbors I thought I could join them and jam some cool tune.

Funny thing is that they both agreed that it's so much better with a bassist (duh) and the drummer tells me I was helping him to stay on the rhythm.

I guess that me always playing over a beatbox or metronome pays dividends in the end.

I told him that many drummers play with a metronome, even if just a blinking led. Gee, the kids.

Squierbassboy · #2 07-02-2009, 01:57 PM

Good on you for soldiering on!

jaywa · #3 07-02-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

I went to play with a beginner drummer, who is actually not bad at all, I think he is a natural, but his sense of rhythm is absolutely not right.

I'm not following. If he doesn't have good time/rhythm, then he really is not a "natural" as a drummer, is he? I mean, it's kind of an important part of the job description. Can you explain why you think he's a "natural"?

NickInMesa · #4 07-02-2009, 02:07 PM

He knows how to play, overall, can improvise over any style of music and get it going, but after 2 minutes he tires and starts getting sloppy.

hover · #5 07-02-2009, 02:09 PM

ah, so a lack of stamina mixed with ADD...not good.

Zooberwerx · #6 07-02-2009, 02:34 PM

Another Keith Moon, eh? Looks like you're stuck being the anchor for the timebeing. If this kid really has the "seed", maybe he'll be able to lock-in with time, practice, and a little guidance. Solo guitarists are especially tough as they seem to have their own interpretations of timing and phrasing.

Riis

jaywa · #7 07-02-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

Another Keith Moon, eh?

I was thinking the same thing. Moon had stamina, though.

totallyfrozen · #8 07-02-2009, 03:00 PM

That's good praise for you!
The metronome is paying off for you.
The drummer doesn't sound like much of a 'natural' to me (but that's just my take on it). Sounds to me like he can play some fills and has some physical coordination. Poor sense of timing doesn't seem to equal a natural timekeeper. In any case, you're earning your praise! That's awesome!

So when you play, how do you keep time? Do you tap your foot? Sway your body? What "trick" are you using to feel the timing?

Just wondering...

HogieWan · #9 07-02-2009, 03:03 PM

bass players are supposed to keep the time - in jazz especially

Zooberwerx · #10 07-02-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totallyfrozen

So when you play, how do you keep time? Do you tap your foot? Sway your body? What "trick" are you using to feel the timing?

Just wondering...

Hey....even big time orchestras have to pay somebody to stand up front and swing a stick! As for me, I have an imaginary metronome in my head clicking away....it also helps drown out the voices.

Riis

NickInMesa · #11 07-02-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totallyfrozen

That's good praise for you!
The metronome is paying off for you.
The drummer doesn't sound like much of a 'natural' to me (but that's just my take on it). Sounds to me like he can play some fills and has some physical coordination. Poor sense of timing doesn't seem to equal a natural timekeeper. In any case, you're earning your praise! That's awesome!

So when you play, how do you keep time? Do you tap your foot? Sway your body? What "trick" are you using to feel the timing?

Just wondering...

I either tap my foot, or swing my body, nod with the head, swing the bass neck, you need to feel it with your entire body when you play. Very rarely do I count, for instance when I am learning a new song and I don't get it quite yet. When you count, you can't groove, different parts of the brain.

Also I do exercises like listening to music on the radio, getting the beat, turning off the radio, then turning it back on after one minute, and magically I am still on it.

Something I learned from riding dirt bikes and playing rugby is detaching all sorts of rational thinking from the current activity. In motocross, if you think, you fall. In rugby one old dude told me "leave the brain in the locker room" and that did the trick. Same with music.