first gig in a few years now with a BAD sit in drummer

fenderthrupeave · #1 06-26-2009, 12:39 PM

So my band went through some changes over the last year and we now have a really solid line up of musicians and we scheduled our first gig for tonight. Well we found out wensday our drummer HAS to work. so we called our old drummer, who at the time had trouble keeping time but played alot of fill, he was the first drummer I really played with. Well he kind of left the band and the new drummer is like a human metronome, always on the beat, doesnt play a hole lot but is ALWAYS On the beat. So now I have to play a show with a drummer who cant keep time or play wills on the beat. I have a fealing tonight is going to suck donkey balls.

Any advice for playing with a lousy drummer coming from a bass player who likes to lock in with drums.

DeluxeRed · #2 06-26-2009, 12:44 PM

Lead, don't follow. Play with confidence. Communicate as best you can sonically and visually. Don't worry too much about it--that'll cause it to suck for sure and probably even worst than the drummer will. Remember, bass rules.

jaywa · #3 06-26-2009, 01:25 PM

It's amazing how spoiled a person can get with a good drummer, isn't it? I've been there, and I feel yer pain.

Stumbo · #4 06-26-2009, 02:16 PM

Be sure to hit the one every time. You'll be the time keeper.

Show the new (old) guy this post.

Maybe set up a headphone metronome for the guy. Figure out the temp of each song, set the 'nome and have him play with a click track.

jaywa · #5 06-26-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Maybe set up a headphone metronome for the guy. Figure out the temp of each song, set the 'nome and have him play with a click track.

Gotta be careful there. I've seen it happen where you put a guy on a click whose time is already a little shaky and it actually makes him worse rather than better. Worth a try, no doubt, but don't expect miracles either.

bigntasty · #6 06-26-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeluxeRed

Lead, don't follow. Play with confidence. Communicate as best you can sonically and visually. Don't worry too much about it--that'll cause it to suck for sure and probably even worst than the drummer will. Remember, bass rules.

+1 on leading, not following in this situation.

Use your experience and communicate with the drummer as best you can. Nothing wrong with maintaining good eye contact with him for changes, confirming tempo, etc. - even nodding your head to the tempo sometimes. People will think you're groovin', and they'll be right! You'll do great.

fenderthrupeave · #7 06-26-2009, 04:15 PM

we were thinking about the metronom but almost every song changes tempo and not just half time/double time. I call it 2/3ds time the song drops 30 bpm, so thats really not an option. I dont think it will be to bad we have everything down solid, and were not putting him in the monitors so I will let you all know hwo it goes.

mndean · #8 06-26-2009, 05:56 PM

Intro to MP Four Yorkshiremen sketch, modded for Bassmen: That's nothing my friend, at least you have a drummer! All we got is a lead singer/guitarist with a wavering sense of time and a tendency to forget where he is in a song! An' he wrote 'em!

xgator4u · #9 06-26-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeluxeRed

Lead, don't follow. Play with confidence. Communicate as best you can sonically and visually. Don't worry too much about it--that'll cause it to suck for sure and probably even worst than the drummer will. Remember, bass rules.

^ This, and always hit the 1. Oh yeah and turn it up a little to make sure he=the drumtard can hear YOU. Get HIM to lock with YOU.