Drummers...

[Busker]

What would you do if you joined a band and were not satisfied with the drummer's ability? Give it a little more time and hope it improves quickly? Or bow out, quickly?

[*ToNeS*]

Depends on what he's lacking. Ironically, I have no time for crap time, so if he can't hold it together with me I'd be sticking my boot up his arse ASAP.

If it's more of a stylistic thing or a lack of chops or ideas that don't mesh instantly, that's a different thing entirely. Our drummer is red-hot, but when he first came in he was all over the place. He just had to get to know us, that's all Click the linky underneath if you want to hear what I mean. A steady diet of black metal and a degree in jazz tuition has made him into one scary individual, and possibly the coolest person in the entire universe barring Christopher Walken.

[T-Bird]

Hi, Busker

I'd guess that it depends of whether the drummer is satisfied with his current ability to play or not. If he's taking lessons, practising new stuff and trying to improve his drumming, I'd stay. Otherwise I'd start thinking of moving on.

BTW *ToNes*, what I wouldn't do is join a band and start kickin' the existing members out if I didn't like their playing.

But that's just me.

Regards
Sam

[derrico1]

If everyone in the band isn't solid for the genre, I'd pass.

I mostly play different genres of vernacular music (rock, pop, blues, country, and folk influenced, etc.), so this isn't about requiring everyone to be a high priest/ess of theory and shredding; "solid" just means they can play or create an appropriate part for each tune with a minimum of fuss.

[Busker]

Originally Posted by derrico1

If everyone in the band isn't solid for the genre, I'd pass.

I mostly play different genres of vernacular music (rock, pop, blues, country, and folk influenced, etc.), so this isn't about requiring everyone to be a high priest/ess of theory and shredding; "solid" just means they can play or create an appropriate part for each tune with a minimum of fuss.

I agree. So if the drummer plays with little finesse, and mostly at one volume - LOUD - it might be time to move on?

Hello T-Bird and everyone.

[DWBass]

Oh, I've so been there! I joined a band and the drummer was lacking big time! We did one gig and he actually froze on one song! Forgot what to play and just sat there! Suffice it to say, I told the band leader. either he goes or I'm out!


He agreed!

In another band I joined, the drummer was lacking skills in all genres except rock or country related. No Reggae chops! No Funk chops! No Latin chops! No Disco chops! He had to go!

Band leader agreed!


The last band I was in, the drummer was pretty good 'in the middle of songs'!! Couldn't start or end a song if his life depended on it! He also was a 'snare whacker'! I'd have no high frequency hearing by the end of the night he played so d@mn loud!

I quit this time!

[Phalex]

I've only ever played with a drummer that wasn't phenomenal one time. That was the longest weekend of my life!!

Seriously, the drummer is the most important position in any band. You can get by with a mediocre guitar player or bassist (You should see my band!) but there is no way to cover for a drummer that has no meter, or can't keep a beat.

[Depth_Charge]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

BTW *ToNes*, what I wouldn't do is join a band and start kickin' the existing members out if I didn't like their playing.

+1. I wouldn't either. And I wouldn't buy a house built on sand or cracked foundations either...

So if the drummer is not up to par then as an auditioning player I'll say something along those lines. If it's bad enough that I think he needs lessons and major improvement I'll just decline the opportunity at the earliest moment.

And if I answer a "band wants bassist" ad only to learn they don't have a drummer, I pass too, unless it's an established band I know serious talent want to be a part of, and those I miss out on dammit!

[Busker]

Well, I think I've made a mistake. I've joined a band with a sub par drummer. My own inexperience and desire to "be part of something" is the reason, although I could tell from the very first songs we played that the drumming wasn't good, let alone great.

Even so, I was determined to give it at least few rehearsals to see if it was going to improve, or what. So that's what I'm going to do. But I did buy ear plugs. His playing is LOUD. My right ear is closest to the drum kit. It actually hurt a little bit after the last rehearsal, and two days later I can still feel it. I probably damaged my right ear.

I'll probably be bowing out soon. I hate it, but that's life. I will not be making this mistake again. From now on, any audition I go to, if they offer me the job and there's something about the band I don't think I like, I'm declining.

[Depth_Charge]

Originally Posted by Busker

Well, I think I've made a mistake. I've joined a band with a sub par drummer. My own inexperience and desire to "be part of something" is the reason, although I could tell from the very first songs we played that the drumming wasn't good, let alone great.

Even so, I was determined to give it at least few rehearsals to see if it was going to improve, or what. So that's what I'm going to do. But I did buy ear plugs. His playing is LOUD. My right ear is closest to the drum kit. It actually hurt a bit after the last rehearsal, and two days later i can still feel it. I probably damaged my right ear.

Common mistake to make. So is not using earplugs. I've done both, and more. Don't sweat it.

And I'd rather say something to this band about the drumming putting me off. Gives us a chance to work on the issue as a group, and doesn't waste your time for the next few weeks scoping things out.

And if they ask you who you are to say that (yes, I've been asked that in the past), as you pack your gear up, tell them you don't need to be a qualified plumber to know a turd when you smell one.

[Nedmundo]

Originally Posted by Phalex

Seriously, the drummer is the most important position in any band. You can get by with a mediocre guitar player or bassist (You should see my band!) but there is no way to cover for a drummer that has no meter, or can't keep a beat.

I completely agree. When I joined my current band, the drummer was seriously lacking, and I was preparing my resignation speech, because I didn't want to waste my time. Thankfully, the drummer quit first.

Our current drummer is much better, but after this week's shows I'm preparing for a serious discussion about his deficiencies. He isn't terrible, but he's holding our sound back, and we won't get anywhere with him. I'm tired of the groove disappearing whenever he attempts a fill, and comes back in a 32nd late. In one track with a Bo Diddley feel, I can't freakin' walk from the I to the V when the verse transitions to the chorus, because he tries to fill, and I almost have to stop playing because nothing reasonable matches what he plays.

[aceshigh]

Depends on what you are looking for.

If all I wanted was a 'jam' band with no intentions of gigging or doing anything serious I'd stick with it as long as they were cool and fun to deal with. I have a band where the bass player can only play quarter notes or eight notes on tonic and fifth. I stick with them because they are nice people and they let me play drums. I wanna get more experience as drumer.

If it is a serious band I'd be more pro-active in fixing the issues or moving on. I wouldn't join a band where a drummer is clearly bad or has his mind set on a style I hate. If I'm already in the band I'd provide positive/constructive criticism in the friendliest way I could. If the nuissance continues or if the band starts going nowhere I'd appologize and bow out in a friendly manner. I'd probably not tell them I'm quitting because the drummer sucks. I'd keep it short and say is for personal reasons (remember the old Mafia saying: "If you must lie, be brief!!"). I don’t think it would help anyway and I might even offend the guy. Don't wanna burn bridges in a small town such as mine.

Remember you'll never get a band that you like 100%. Someone will always do something or play something you don't enjoy. In the same token, you might be playing things they don't enjoy either. It all depends on if you guys can live with the differences or not.

That's my 2c.

[QORC]

Originally Posted by Busker

What would you do if you joined a band and were not satisfied with the drummer's ability? Give it a little more time and hope it improves quickly? Or bow out, quickly?

depends. I've gone on several try-outs where I wasn't interested based alone on the drummer's lack of ability.

I've been in a couple bands where the drummer was mediocre (including my current one), but staying for other reasons.

[Busker]

OK, the drumming was better tonight. As I was putting in my ear plug (just my right ear, which faces the drum kit), I explained that my ear hurt for two days after the last rehearsal. I think he got the message. His playing was at a much more sane volume tonight, also it seemed to have better rhythm.

But, after three rehearsals, I don't see much overall improvement in the sound. At this point, it looks like the first gig would be way over the horizon. Maybe I'm expecting too much? But my first impression was that these guys had experience. They told me they did.

Another rehearsal or two, and if it doesn't start to gain some momentum, I'm out.

[greymatter_24]

Originally Posted by Phalex

I've only ever played with a drummer that wasn't phenomenal one time. That was the longest weekend of my life!!

Seriously, the drummer is the most important position in any band. You can get by with a mediocre guitar player or bassist (You should see my band!) but there is no way to cover for a drummer that has no meter, or can't keep a beat.

This is so true, it should be gospel! I've played with amazing drummers and mediocre drummers. The drummer makes or breaks the band and 95% of any frustration I've ever felt playing in a group was due the drummer not being able to keep time. If the drummer can keep a beat, then the bass can lock on to that and the guitar can do whatever it wants.

The situation I was in with the mediocre drummer was unfortunate because we were all good friends. And playing in that band was fun, but it never went anywhere because as a group we were held back. Later, when playing with a really great drummer, I found out that he could make even my dumbest ideas sound cool. So my philosophy: if the drummer can't do it, then I'm not going be happy. Whether I left or stayed would probably depend on who was in the band first and how the rest of the band felt.

[QORC]

I hear ya. I've played with a couple of really great drummers and it certainly made the band better. Hell, it made ME better.

our weak link right now IS the drummer. but the band is still doing well, it fits my life, the singer is fantastic and the guitarist is freak-talented. It's enough to keep me in the game. We really can't get rid of the drummer - he's the owner of the PA, we practice at his house and he is joined at the hip with the guitarist. So basically it's either love it or lump it. I decided to stay for now.

[manicbassman]

Originally Posted by DWBass

In another band I joined, the drummer was lacking skills in all genres except rock or country related. No Reggae chops! No Funk chops! No Latin chops! No Disco chops! He had to go!

Band leader agreed!

??????? If you're a rock/country orientated band and you aren't gonna play reggae, disco, funk or jazz, then why would the drummer need to have "chops" in those styles???

[Unrepresented]

My current band started off with a drummer that was hit or miss. Had a really good tone and could lock in on tempo but fumbled fills fairly frequently.

He bowed out, replacement has tempo issues and isn't neeearly as solid. Last show he was so off so frequently I almost quit on the spot. He's a really nice guy and brings a lot of good things to the project but as a drummer he is lacking.

I agree with the post that says you can't hide a weak drummer as easily as a guitarist or bassist. Drums will always cut through.

[Cristo]

IMO, it won't get better. Unless the guy has been laying off playing for a while and needs some time to get it back together, maybe. But if he has been laying off the playing it is probably not that important to him.

Having played with mediocre drumming, I can say it is a constant struggle that can be tiring at times, assuming you are the type that likes to keep a song steady.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by manicbassman

??????? If you're a rock/country orientated band and you aren't gonna play reggae, disco, funk or jazz, then why would the drummer need to have "chops" in those styles???

Uh, I don't think you read that correctly! We were NOT a Rock/Country Band. We were a Dance/Top40 Party Band where ALL styles are needed, not just rock and country!