Click track at rehearsal?

[Slough Feg Bass]

one of the bands I played with did that for a while. Each practice, we would pick a song that we wanted to work on timing.
Then we set the tempo with the click from a small digital metronome I have.
Ran that into the PA, and BLASTED it into everyone's faces.
Went through the same song 2 - 3 times with the click on.
Then did the same song with the click off.
Timing issue solved.
I wrote on the setlist all the tempos and it seemed to work pretty well for us.

 

[Farseer]

We have in-ears and play live to a click. We are tight as #^%$#.

+1

 

[Bullitt5135]

LOL...21 responses and nobody's said "fire the drummer" yet.

What's aggravating to me is that my band nitpicks the **** out of getting the exact nuances of every guitar part and 3-part vocal harmony, but nobody but me seems too concerned with playing songs at the correct tempo. When I point out that we were off-tempo, I'll usually get a couple shrugs and looks of "duly noted." Unfortunately, it never sinks in. Hence the need for a click. This should only hurt for a minute...

 

[Dana R Gregory]

The worship team I play on recently started using a click track for each song and they are a big help in keeping the drummer on time.

 

[john_g]

Im trying to get my drummer to play to a click, but its to add some backing tracks (keys and/or special effects only) since we dont have a keyboardist. He is resisting it, which means he just doesnt want to. Sucks since we did it in my last band and it really added to our overall sound.

 

[Mikey F]

We use a click @ every rehearsal and every performance. I love it.

 

[Ant Illington]

Who is using a click (metronome) at band rehearsal? What hardware/software are you using? Do you use the click through the entire song, just for the first few measures, or only between songs to familiarize yourselves with the tempo? How receptive has your band been to using the click, and do you feel it has paid off come gig time?

My band is pretty solid, musically speaking. Our biggest weakness is starting songs off at the wrong tempo. I've suggested using a click at rehearsal, but the drummer acts like that's some kind of affront ("playing to a machine sucks the life out of the song"). I disagree. I think it would be pretty simple to connect an iOS metronome app to our mixer (we use IEMs). Our backing vocalist usually has her hands free at the start of songs, and could control the app. I don't really want to run the click through the entire song, but I think having it for the first few measures would really tighten things up.

The drummer in the band I sub with uses a click and he's great; professional studio and touring guy who has regularly played with greats. I believe it's primarily to get the start tempo right. I know another similarly accomplished drummer who does the same. And this is groove music. I think "life" is about playing grooves within the confines of a fixed tempo. Hardly sucking the life out of things. "Sucking the life out" can be accomplished by slop that includes fluctuating tempo or wrong speed for entire song. To eachange his own but maybe show him this thread and also a list of pros who use one.

 

[Obese Chess]

We have in-ears and play live to a click. We are tight as #^%$#.

Yes i do the same. It really locks everyone in.

+1

Co-signing as well. Learning to play to a click is essential. You ever heard a record where the drummer didn't play to a click? It's not more "groovy" or "soulful," it's just aggravating to listen to because everyone is ALMOST tight and ALMOST on, but not QUITE.

 

[rwkeating]

I would rather have each individual practice their own part on their own with a click. Then bring everything together at a band rehearsal without a click. If that doesn't work, then a click at the rehearsal would be the next step.

 

[swafran]

Mood is important to me, everyone gets more creative when you feel the moment. And BEEP-boop-boop-boop does not help me get there.

Also, when I was first playing out, I tended to want to drag. Our drummer was rock solid though so he kept us true. But because I was leaning on him I wasn't facing my problem. So a click track could be something to be wary of, as well, if there are timing issues.

I practiced hard, with metronomes, and drum machines where I would program 7 bars of silence, 1 bar of clicks, to force myself to keep true time. Now I'm solid.

It's a tool, I practice some things to a metronome, but I don't like performing to one, and I don't think it's always a good idea. It will get you by for sure, though, if getting by is what's needed most urgently.

 

[DavC]

the drummer IS your metronome ...!! if he can't handle that job , he needs to get an aid of whatever kind he wants to keep him at the right tempo .... that's your main job Mr Drummer ... do it , or be replaced ..!

 

[buldog5151bass]

Again, it's not unusual to forget the tempo when you are learning a bunch of songs at once - get a reference before you start until you get locked into the song.

 

[bopeuph]

That excuse used by your drummer is used by drummers with bad timing.

I have ever had the pleasure of playing with a dozen young Nashville pro drummers. All of them have amazing timing. All of them play to a click. All of them are a pleasure to play with. And the song does not suffer for the involvement of a "machine".

Done in one.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

That excuse used by your drummer is used by drummers with bad timing.

I have ever had the pleasure of playing with a dozen young Nashville pro drummers. All of them have amazing timing. All of them play to a click. All of them are a pleasure to play with. And the song does not suffer for the involvement of a "machine".

+1. I also tell bands who I record live to practice like that including my own band.

 

[twinjet]

We have in-ears and play live to a click. We are tight as #^%$#.

I'd hope so!

Me, I use 7Metronome. Customised accents, beats, visual/audio metronome. You get it. Also, free.

For home practice, I like using my Wittmer acoustic metronome. Something about winding it up just gets me excited.

 

[JRA]

two bands: both drummers use metronome/clicks (smart phone) on the gig for count off. both bands use clicks to record. one band records regularly (rehearsals and gigs) to 'test' new material (special emphasis on originals). one drummer has great time: so the click is a 'starting' reference. the other drummer needs a click to remain in the ballpark.

 

[five7]

Do you use a click when you record, then use it at practice.

 

[bherman]

Last band, we used Setlist Maker and added the tempo to each tune in our songlist. We all used ipads and and it set up for a blinking tempo before the song started. Consistency is a good thing -

 

[reggie hall]

Some click tracks I purchase and then others I make myself in FL studio 11

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

I'd prefer not to be in a band that uses clicks because keeping time is a basic musician proficiency.

Practice with a metronome at home so you dont need it with the band.

In a perfect world...