Issues with drummer

[Wagz]

And, this will be good for the fired drummer in the long term. She's only 18 and hopefully learns the lesson that being in a band requires teamwork and commitment.
Here's hoping that she keeps up with her drumming and, after hearing your new lineup, realizes that she has to start putting in more work.

[LennyPenny]

Originally Posted by SquierJazz72

On one level, it's too bad you had to do that, since it seems you would have liked to have kept her. But it seems, after talking, despite what she said, nothing really was going to change. So you did what you had to do.

I am glad, though, to hear that it is working better so far, with the new drummer. Best of luck with it, and I hope you start getting where you want to go now.

It wasn't really a case of not wanting to keep her because the vibe was virtually non-existent during the last few rehearsal's, especially the last one. In all honesty, the biggest issue for us was actually telling her she was out because we knew we'd hurt her feelings, but at this point I honestly don't care if she holds a grudge about it because that would mean she still doesn't realize she was lacking in both effort and skill.

[LennyPenny]

Also, we haven't made it public we already have a new drummer. While on the one hand the previous one should understand that we can't function without a drummer and that it's just the name of the game, but it seemed sort of disrespectful all the same.

[SquierJazz72]

It wasn't really a case of not wanting to keep her because the vibe was virtually non-existent during the last few rehearsal's, especially the last one.

Fair enough. Maybe I read too much into that.

Anyway, like I said, best of luck with the new drummer.

[pushbuttonfour]

Why is it always the drummers? Seriously, I've been through three drummers and none of them have been motivated. Why would you not want to be in a band? Why would you learn drums if you didn't want to play them?

[SquierJazz72]

Why is it always the drummers?

I don't know. I had a drummer contact me a while back, wanting to get together with someone of his age, who's into what he's into, which I am, on both counts. And his main complaint was not being able to find a compatible bass player, until me.

He was all hot to trot, came over, met me. We got along well, discussed common goals and musical interests. Seemed to go well. Then, after a couple brief e-mails from me afterward, nothing.

So move on I will. No time to waste on someone who doesn't really want to do anything. Because I do, at this point.

[HeavyJazz77]

If it stops being about the music you're just in an episode of "Friends" and wasting your time. Surround yourself w people at least as serious as you or your development will flounder.

[BayStateBass]

Originally Posted by pushbuttonfour

Why is it always the drummers? Seriously, I've been through three drummers and none of them have been motivated. Why would you not want to be in a band? Why would you learn drums if you didn't want to play them?

I don't know, I've thought about it and came to a few conclusions on my own which may be right or wrong.

Well, for me playing drums is very, very hard, so I respect anyone who does it well.

Honestly, you can be an average bassist and a lot of people think you're just fine. But in the bands I've been in, and with the groups I've played with, there's a lot of pressure on the drummer to be exceptional. I think playing drums is a very high profile, high pressure job in a lot of bands. Drummers are judged a lot. I guess all musicians are.

Drummers also have a lot of stuff to move and their setup takes a lot longer than most of us.

Like any instrument, good drums are expensive. Our drummer has one cymbal alone that was over $350. Good kits are a whole bunch of money. I'm willing to bet that quite a few drummers have more money tied up in their equipment than a lot of us do.

With all of these things being considered, I have found that good drummers are motivated mostly by the payback (paying gigs). With all of the effort and expense, most are not overly motivated to play with a band unless they see the potential payback and reward for everything they have to do, which can be a lot. I can't say I blame them one bit.

I don't know, just some observations I've made with the drummers I've known.

As much as we rag on drummers, when you get a good one.....you know it and they make everything a lot better.

[deepBassie]

LenPen - your ex-drummer is a bit hot under the collar right now. However, keep in touch with her if/when she cools down. She's young and may come around. Never hurts to have a second (third, fourth, fifth) option for drums.

[metlman72]

Originally Posted by BayStateBass

Never underestimate the importance of a solid, good drummer in a band.

This is some sage wisdom right here. Well said my friend, well said indeed.

[LennyPenny]

Originally Posted by deepBassie

LenPen - your ex-drummer is a bit hot under the collar right now. However, keep in touch with her if/when she cools down. She's young and may come around. Never hurts to have a second (third, fourth, fifth) option for drums.

Good point, I didn't consider that until just now. However, I know a few other drummers who are either equally fun people but (maybe) not a skilled, or very skilled but kinda cocky. So either way, I think the odds are slim we'd ever call upon our ex-drummer to fill in in case our current drummer has other obligations.

[deepBassie]

Originally Posted by LennyPenny

I think the odds are slim we'd ever call upon our ex-drummer to fill in in case our current drummer has other obligations.

Yeah, you're probably right. But keep in touch anyways if it's all good. Most folks stop playing music when they get a job, get married, have kids, don't "make it big", whatever. You never can tell who is going to power through it all. I think that maybe 10% of the musicians that I knew in my 20's are still playing now that they are in their 40's.

[Biggbass]

in 40+ years of playing live music I've encountered one great drummer. The others are just guys with drums...

I'd have a talk with her and if she doesn't come around then hold auditions for a new drummer.

[dtripoli]

No need to drop the drummer or end the band.
Simply start a second band and have the pianist join you.
There are no rules on how many bands you can be in, run or be a member of.
I work with 3-4 different bands and poach players back and forth.

Drummers:
A good drummer makes you sound amazing and is extraordinarily easy to play with.
A bad drummer makes you sound like crap and requires 10x as much work to sound 1/10th as good.

[BayStateBass]

Originally Posted by dtripoli

Drummers:
A good drummer makes you sound amazing and is extraordinarily easy to play with.
A bad drummer makes you sound like crap and requires 10x as much work to sound 1/10th as good.

THIS!!!!!

So much THIS!!!

[LennyPenny]

Originally Posted by Biggbass

in 40+ years of playing live music I've encountered one great drummer. The others are just guys with drums...

I'd have a talk with her and if she doesn't come around then hold auditions for a new drummer.

Originally Posted by dtripoli

No need to drop the drummer or end the band.
Simply start a second band and have the pianist join you.
There are no rules on how many bands you can be in, run or be a member of.
I work with 3-4 different bands and poach players back and forth.

I'm afraid you two are running behind, we already have a new drummer. Seems a bit pointless to be in two bands where the only different members are the drummers, no? We weren't feeling good with the former drummer so I reckon we'd put way more effort in the band with the other drummer, which wouldn't be fair to the first one.