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Click track at rehearsal?
- Thread starter Bullitt5135
- Start date
One of my bands used to practice in our singer's apt.
We used electric drums and ran everything to a computer then to headphones. Best our timing and harmonies have ever been.
Now only the drummer has click when we practice (which he needs) but more useful than the band having a metronome would be the drummer using it when he practices by himself.
Sigh.
We used electric drums and ran everything to a computer then to headphones. Best our timing and harmonies have ever been.
Now only the drummer has click when we practice (which he needs) but more useful than the band having a metronome would be the drummer using it when he practices by himself.
Sigh.
High school band teacher did just that all four years I was in. We graduated with awesome time keeping.
I love click. Especially in rehearsal when you run a bunch of songs. Do it enough and you and the band WILL get tighter. A click track is like training wheels on a bicycle.....it is a ruler to measure with......it is not an insult. It is a guide, a tool, a helper to enable you to do better what your already doing.
When practicing alone it is also an awesome tool. Practicing alone that big flurry of notes you blaze thru (while thinking "I am SO GOOD" w/o the click is hurting yourself. Then, when you are live w/o the click........suddenly that perfect flurry is like pre-mature ejaculation: I'm finished, but there's 3 beats left.
And she ain't happy.
Last but not least......in the world of recording............it IS a part of that world.
Embrace it. The click is your friend.
When practicing alone it is also an awesome tool. Practicing alone that big flurry of notes you blaze thru (while thinking "I am SO GOOD" w/o the click is hurting yourself. Then, when you are live w/o the click........suddenly that perfect flurry is like pre-mature ejaculation: I'm finished, but there's 3 beats left.
And she ain't happy.
Last but not least......in the world of recording............it IS a part of that world.
Embrace it. The click is your friend.
Click is good. Practicing individualy with a click is something ALLL musicians should regularly do. (You don't do it for a year, develop good time, then move on. It's a skill that needs regular exercise to keep tip top.) I've found a huge benefit rehearsing to a click that just me and the drummer can hear (if not the whole band). You learn that playing it by yourself is different than with other people. In my last band our drummer might drag certain fills while I might rush others. We got use to each others tendencies that aren't obvious without the click, and it changed the way we played together. (For the better, I hope) I've done this with a handful of drummers/bands and they were all the tightest I've been in. In high school big band is where I first learned this, just me and the drummer had click in our headphones for rehearsals and the whole big band sounded tighter.
For counting off songs at a gig, I think it's a great idea to use click to set the proper tempo at the beginning, especially if a singer or other musician is very dependent on a correct tempo. I personally like occasionally counting a song off too slow or too fast on accident because to me it's fun to have variety. but that's me and I will always respect, honor, and give way to the view of consistency.
For counting off songs at a gig, I think it's a great idea to use click to set the proper tempo at the beginning, especially if a singer or other musician is very dependent on a correct tempo. I personally like occasionally counting a song off too slow or too fast on accident because to me it's fun to have variety. but that's me and I will always respect, honor, and give way to the view of consistency.
I agree with two fingers. It doesn't follow logically to have a good drummer who can keep strict, rigid time and then say that a strict rigid tempo sucks the life out of songs.
We don't have a drummer and while individually we practice with a click we have never used it at rehearsal. Well we went into the studio recently and it was an eye opener. Now band rehearsals have a click. We use the click build into our yamaha electric piano.
I have a different opinion about a click track depending on whether we're talking about using it for practice, rehearsals, a recording session, or a live performance. Four different scenarios, four different thoughts.
When you practice or rehearse, use whatever tool is necessary to get it down cold. Click track, metronome, a conductor - whatever. Use it.
If you're recording, a click track is generally a good idea since you won't always be laying down your part with a drummer playing along. So you'll need something to synchronize with. And a click track is the easiest and most efficient way to provide that. The only thing I don't like about the click is that I usually prefer to play off whatever the drummer is doing. So with me it's more like doing a pas de deux with the drummer rather than either one of us strictly following the other all the time. But that's in an ideal world. When I can't get that I'll take a click.
For live performances I don't like the idea of a click track if it's to compensate for having a bad drummer. Although maybe that's because I've been extremely fortunate compared to most in that every band I was ever in always had a rock solid drummer. If my experiences were different I might feel differently. They do seem to have gotten rarer based on what I can gather listening to people talk.
When you practice or rehearse, use whatever tool is necessary to get it down cold. Click track, metronome, a conductor - whatever. Use it.
If you're recording, a click track is generally a good idea since you won't always be laying down your part with a drummer playing along. So you'll need something to synchronize with. And a click track is the easiest and most efficient way to provide that. The only thing I don't like about the click is that I usually prefer to play off whatever the drummer is doing. So with me it's more like doing a pas de deux with the drummer rather than either one of us strictly following the other all the time. But that's in an ideal world. When I can't get that I'll take a click.
For live performances I don't like the idea of a click track if it's to compensate for having a bad drummer. Although maybe that's because I've been extremely fortunate compared to most in that every band I was ever in always had a rock solid drummer. If my experiences were different I might feel differently. They do seem to have gotten rarer based on what I can gather listening to people talk.
I've had the luxury of not having to play with slack drummers for a long time, and was of course an active player before onstage clicks were a thing. Clicks don't bother me because I was used to solid tempo from really good drummers without the aid of a click at all back then.
These days, a click live and in rehearsals is part and parcel of the new normal way of doing things - it's often tied into software like Mainstage or Ableton, along with tracked parts. In most big churches, they're simply the standard now as well. There's never any problem with lack of feel or keeping up with the dictated time, because experienced musicians can do that with or without a click track. Solid time isn't an option amongst proficient musicians - it's a requirement. Even if a click is present, they won't really even pay very close attention to it because it's a developed skill to play in time that well anyway.
You'll always run into those that say a click track takes away from the feel and it's easy to point out that many older hit songs push and pull in BPM and might even start at one tempo and end in another. However, times have changed and if you want to do this as more than a hobby, you have to accept click tracks, making them your very best friend but not always your god.
These days, a click live and in rehearsals is part and parcel of the new normal way of doing things - it's often tied into software like Mainstage or Ableton, along with tracked parts. In most big churches, they're simply the standard now as well. There's never any problem with lack of feel or keeping up with the dictated time, because experienced musicians can do that with or without a click track. Solid time isn't an option amongst proficient musicians - it's a requirement. Even if a click is present, they won't really even pay very close attention to it because it's a developed skill to play in time that well anyway.
You'll always run into those that say a click track takes away from the feel and it's easy to point out that many older hit songs push and pull in BPM and might even start at one tempo and end in another. However, times have changed and if you want to do this as more than a hobby, you have to accept click tracks, making them your very best friend but not always your god.
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Being in churches with all in ears, playing to a click is a standard, live and rehearsal, with or without loops.
My experience has been those that don't like playing with a click are those that can't or aren't playing in time. If you play in time, the click simply blends into the landscape of sound and basically "disappears".
Get off of it though and it sounds like a hammer driving a nail into the side of your head....
My vote is definitely for playing with a click..... I also like having an MD (usually the keyboard player) reading the worship leader and "calling the ball" so to speak as to where we are going.....
My experience has been those that don't like playing with a click are those that can't or aren't playing in time. If you play in time, the click simply blends into the landscape of sound and basically "disappears".
Get off of it though and it sounds like a hammer driving a nail into the side of your head....
My vote is definitely for playing with a click..... I also like having an MD (usually the keyboard player) reading the worship leader and "calling the ball" so to speak as to where we are going.....
For reference, I love Pelican - they're one of my favorite bands - but this entire album was recorded without the drummer using a click and uhhh, well, tell me if maybe playing to a click makes a difference
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
The drummer doesn't always start the song. And, a click or metronome or whatever is a great tool. Did I miss anything?
- Jan 26, 2014
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- I teach lessons and perform live music in and around San Diego CA. Sometimes I even make money doing it!
Practically speaking: obviously if there are triggered sequences, playing with a click is a necessity, but I'm assuming that's not the case. So the biggest question is: Can you afford to record without a click track? A click track makes overdubs much easier, and most bands can't afford a full band live recording experience. So practicing with a click is a very practical way to go if that's the case. Every rehearsal? Nah, just every once in a while to keep everyone honest is a good idea. This is the case no matter how good the musicians are, if you're in a situation when you will be recording with a click, you should practice with one. How often is dependent on how often you need it of course.
If you're never going to record with a click, and your band has a great feel (are you listening to rehearsals and gig recordings to make sure?), it's not that important. C'mon, did CCR use a click? Hendrix and Coltrane's bands were extremely "tempo pliable," are you going to tell me they shouldn't have recorded?
If you're not going to be recording in a studio, and and your sample recordings sound great, I'm sorry to say I agree with your drummer, imperfection can be a good thing. But if your drummer is BSing and just can't do it, you're better of finding someone who can, moving on from the band, or accepting that recording will either cost a poopie ton, or sound mediocre. Good luck!
Ps, The forum corrected my actual word to poopie, but that's pretty funny so I'll keep it
This...
The drummer in that band that I recently quit used this excuse all the time. We never played a song the same speed twice and it drove me freaking nuts. In the other 2 bands I subbed for, both drummers used in ear clicks and were solid as rocks.
Good conversation! I have been playing with the same drummer since 1983 and the guy is completely random. It gets really bad when he has more than three pops in him or visited the farmer man. He is hyper as hell, so once the chemicals take effect, songs can speed up dramatically. Needless to say, my extensive time with him has trained me to always stay tight with the drummer; not matter where he brings the tempo or beat.
We don't have a keyboard player and recently the band leader suggested some covers that have keys in them and also have repetitive, basic bass lines such as Pappa Was a Rolling Stone. I brought in a looper and I start the song on bass and just loop the first four measures and then switch to keys. The drummer is really struggling to keep a constant tempo with the loop and keep the tempo that he first set. So we are now having a side conversation on how to keep more consistent time. He is an "anti-techie"; armed with his old flip phone that doesn't even group text.
So the suggestions of having a visual click/metronome that only he sees is a good one that I can help him with. Thanks for suggesting using this in rehearsals. I can stroke his ego a bit and just get him, the guitarist/band leader and me together to start working on timing with a visual aid before we bring the entire flock of six band members in.
We don't have a keyboard player and recently the band leader suggested some covers that have keys in them and also have repetitive, basic bass lines such as Pappa Was a Rolling Stone. I brought in a looper and I start the song on bass and just loop the first four measures and then switch to keys. The drummer is really struggling to keep a constant tempo with the loop and keep the tempo that he first set. So we are now having a side conversation on how to keep more consistent time. He is an "anti-techie"; armed with his old flip phone that doesn't even group text.
So the suggestions of having a visual click/metronome that only he sees is a good one that I can help him with. Thanks for suggesting using this in rehearsals. I can stroke his ego a bit and just get him, the guitarist/band leader and me together to start working on timing with a visual aid before we bring the entire flock of six band members in.
In some situations the click may be a boon. Never used it personally. Most gigs were either with well rehearsed groups that had the timing down or more exploratory jazz with nebulous timing. The occasional informal party gig with little or no practice didn't seem to suffer from its absence. As a part of the rhythm section it's our job to uphold the beat (whether or not we fire the drummer for not doing so). By training yourself to keep a steady beat you can control the rhythm of your band. The best way I've found to do this is through tedious repetition. Put a song on your CD player and play to the first few bars. (The importance of a CD player is that the song has a timer visible when the volume is off so you don't miss the end of it. Spotify and YouTube do too, if you choose to use a computer instead.) Turn the volume on the CD player down or off while you continue playing. Near the end of the song turn the volume up and see where you are in relation to the CD. Ahead, behind, right on? Keep at it until you nail it. When you do, try a slow ballad, that's where it really gets tough. Best you all, and I hope this helps.
One of my drummer puts a click in his ears pretty much at all times. He's not too familiar with the push/pull feel of reggae so his timing suffers as he tries to get the feel right. So he's using the click to set a nice "feel" and keep him steady. It has seemed to work, unless he chooses a wrong tempo then it still doesn't feel right. He doesn't do too well trying to listen and follow me, so this is what I'm working with right now. I don't mind him using it.
We use a clicktrack at gigs and rehearsals, mainly because we have a backingtrack running for almost the entire set. But it doesnt take away any "soul" at all.
