Stay with drummer or keep time?

Wyatt · #1 01-30-2011, 12:22 AM

I started playing with another band about a week and a half ago. The drummer almost always slows down during the guitar solo.

Do you slow down with the drummer or keep beat going? So far, the rest of the band seem to follow her.

MysticMichael · #2 01-30-2011, 12:34 AM

If there is some sort of musical imperative for slowing down during the guitar solos (though I can't imagine what it could be) - and both the drummer and the rest of the band are doing so deliberately and meaningfully - then go with the flow and make it work.

If however, the drummer is slowing down due to some sort of deficiency of musicianship - and the band is accommodating her deficiency rather than correcting it - then at least to this extent, the band is dysfunctional. If this be the case, you essentially have three options: 1) speak up and try to get the problem(s) fixed; 2) say nothing, accept and live with it; or 3) bail out.

Personally, I would opt for Option #1, and if that didn't work, then Option #3. You must choose for yourself...

MM

Bassbat · #3 01-30-2011, 12:36 AM

If everyones following the drummer you should follow the drummer. For me it depends on the part of the song. Some parts I follow the guitarist more sometimes the drummer. But if I were you I'd point out the fact that the song slows down on that part, and decide if you all want it to slow down at that part.
I have that problem a lot, but it tends to be the guitarist throwing off the drummer and I. The problem is usually resolved with communication and further practice

sandmangeck · #4 01-30-2011, 12:40 AM

I used to play in a coverband awhile ago. The drummer would get off time throughout the night. The rest of us wouldn't. He even played with a click track in in ear monitors. We still packed the places out. Tells you something about fans.

MysticMichael · #5 01-30-2011, 12:40 AM

Nobody should be "following" anyone else. Tempo is something for which everyone has a share of responsibility. There should be a consensus on tempo for each portion of each song - regardless of the instrument(s) one plays, the style of music being played, or any other factor. Period.

MM

Rebecky · #6 01-30-2011, 05:24 AM

In my covers band we tried out a drummer who would count in a song at say 130bpm then start playing at about 90bpm... Goddamn! We had to tell him it wasn't working out...

JimB52 · #7 01-30-2011, 05:56 AM

Live, best to hang together. Practice / rehearsal is the time to address problems.

Beginner Bass · #8 01-30-2011, 05:59 AM

It only helps to stay the course if other people stay with you. Otherwise, it just sounds like you are ignoring the rest of the band and doing your own thing.

Evil Undead · #9 01-30-2011, 06:04 AM

Communication is always the key

sonic assassin · #10 01-30-2011, 06:06 AM

sometimes music is meant to ebb and flow in such a way. it adds drama and realism. there are parts of songs in my last band that intentionally dropped about 5-7 bpm on purpose to make them more epic.

if its a problem, address it. ive been the tempo nazi for years. often times, my parts need to be within 2-3 bpm of the tempo it was written or i cant play them right. the bounce is all wrong. i dont get why i can memorize tempos and drummers cant.

if he is playing to in-ears and a click and the click isnt programmed to slow down, then perhaps its a problem. i tend to go with a pointing up motion for faster and down for slower. ive had that understanding with many drummers. they seem ok with it.

RonChase · #11 01-30-2011, 06:14 AM

I had an original band with a crazy drummer(not saying your drummer is crazy)this guy had major control issues and his drumming on his best day was well uh sucky,I stuck this band out 3 years gritting my teeth and found myself writing and tracking by myself so why have a band at this point,I stayed because I was in 2 other lucrative bands one was blues in which we actually played the Blues Challenge and the other Oldies and we play concerts all over the state,so I try and get out of this original band and all hell busts loose this drummer is calling old friends asking about me and emailing old band wanted ads and putting posters of me with my head cut off and sending nasty emails and on and on so go for whats best for you and forget the drummer tell him he needs to shape up cause he is messing up the band.I remember back to a time when I was learning and show biz is not kind you got to work hard and if one dont it does show,unless this is a fun band with no goals then just ride it out

madmatt · #12 01-30-2011, 06:16 AM

Keep time and lose the drummer?

Renaissance · #13 01-30-2011, 08:02 AM

The others may not realize it is happening while playing. Record your rehearsals and then point out how "we" are slowing down during solos.

Nev375 · #14 01-30-2011, 08:06 AM

Lock in with the drummer and stay there. At rehearsal say "I think we've been slowing down during the solos. Can we work on that?"

MuzikMan · #15 01-30-2011, 08:12 AM

Try to correct the problem at rehearsal but stay with the drummer during the performance. If long terms goals aren't reached then it's time to move on.

leegreenman · #16 01-30-2011, 08:21 AM

Maybe have the drummer play to a click track in practice? It might prove very helpful.

KeithPas · #17 01-30-2011, 08:26 AM

When I would play with a drummer with these tendencies I would talk to him privately and tell him that he is slowing down and to listen to me and that we would make it work together.

sobie18 · #18 01-30-2011, 10:58 AM

I would drag his lame butt through the song and push the tempo where it needs to be. Even yell at him during the song that he's slowing down. He's got to know he's doing something wrong...

I would definitely have some words with him during the break or at rehearsal. I've put up with a few lame drummers in my time and some folks I just refuse to play with because of their inability to keep time. I'm not trying to be cold or mean but dammit man...

JohnMCA72 · #19 01-30-2011, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

Nobody should be "following" anyone else. Tempo is something for which everyone has a share of responsibility. There should be a consensus on tempo for each portion of each song - regardless of the instrument(s) one plays, the style of music being played, or any other factor. Period.

MM

Correct-a-mundo!

As bad as tempo changes where there shouldn't be any are, 2 players on different tempos is worse! That's something to fix in rehearsal, but when it happens live you've just got to go with it & make the best of the situation.

jpmcbride · #20 01-30-2011, 07:50 PM

Lock in with the drummer and stay there, even if he shifts the tempo one way or the other. Slowing down or speeding up is bad, but getting out of sync is MUCH worse. Just follow the drummer and address the topic later at rehearsal.