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Diplomatic way to make the drummer stop drumming?

#62
I confess - I am a noodler. I've gotten better about it over time, but my main saving grace is the volume knob on my bass guitar. I turn down and I can run finger drills without obstructing conversation.

Acoustic instruments don't have this luxury. Electric drums don't, either, because of the way that the velocity response changes the "feel" of the pads, especially mesh pads - you won't understand unless you play drums and have played an electric kit.

Playing drums is fun, and it's hard not to want to do it (even practicing licks from a working song) when you're stuck behind the throne listening to a guitarist whinge about not getting the right tone from a new pedal. The issue is not the noodling; it's the noise. Talk to the drummer about the issue - drums are loud and hinder conversation (talk to your other musicians too; it's not just drummers who do this) - and ask him or her to bring a practice pad specifically for noodling purposes between songs. Drumming on legs works as well although there's no bounce.
 
#63
Drummers drum man. I think everyone has the same issue. They're just working on rolls most of the time. My drummer does it constantly. Then he complains that we make too much noise. All I do is hold my hand up when I want him to stop if me and the guitar are trying to talk. He sees it. He stops. We discuss what we need to. It works pretty well and you don't have to argue.
 
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#65
turf3 said:
Someone needs to do this (I'm sure Don Asher wouldn't mind this small extract):

"Later that night an old and battered Mafioso approached the piano while I was playing a medley from "Oklahoma". His face was deeply seamed, and coarse tufts of gray hair sprouted from the backs of his thick hands. They lowered onto mine, at first merely covering them, then gently pressing them into the dead keys as if he were reluctantly squashing a pair of harmless but repulsive insects; "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top" went flatter than a doormat.

'Play "Ciao, Ciao, Bambina." It's for my wife.' His voice was a hoarse whisper. 'Play it every ten minutes until I tell you to stop.' ...

Guido wandered in from the bar, grimacing painfully and banging the heel of his palm against his ear like a long-distance swimmer emerging from a heavy surf. 'What's with the same song, you're sounding like a broken record.' I told him of the unusual request and pointed out the party who had made it. Guido took a look and said, 'Keep playing it.' "
Click to expand...

Geezus, someone here besides me even knows those old Italian songs? Wow... Good for you. I think...
 
#67
rwkeating said:
I think it must just be a drummer thing. I played with a drummer that had an electronic set. All he had to do was turn down the volume and then warm up or noodle all he wanted to, but noooooooooooooo. The thought never even occurred to him :(
Click to expand...
He does have an e-set. I'm thinking I'm going to ask him to bring headphones next week so he can pound away to his hearts desire.
 
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#68
Just dont let anyone noodle in between songs or while others are talking. And also dont let anyone blather endlessly, pointlessly instead of playing.

Its like when someone talks while youre talking, it's an awkward situation you have to tell them to shut it but you do, and you're not the rude one. I've been told to shut it when I was noodling. Did it hurt my feelings? Not really, but I didnt do it as much anymore, and I'm aware of it now.

I'm glad someone told me sternly, because I wouldn't have been aware it makes people feel you're not experienced or even serious about playing at all.
 
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#70
have you tried

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#72
bassicmike said:
is there one?

At rehearsal, How can one say to the drummer 'Will you blanking stop pounding while we're talking?"

As soon as we stop, he's doing runs, rolls and fills, endlessly and usually at volume. I suspect it's his only kit time of the week.

(We're a hobby band, so we rehearse. I adhere to the 'practice at home, rehearse with band' ethos. Not sure the other band members do. And this band scratches 2 of the 3 itches [$, music, hang] so I stay with it)

My choices seem to be passive-aggressively just stop talking and wait for him to realize it and stop. Or go nuts and blow up.
Click to expand...

For a hobby band it's hard to influence stuff like this. I guess you could try asking politely.
 
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#79
  • Halt conversation.
  • Remove box cutter from pocket and grab firmly in dominant hand.
  • Use thumb to carefully extend blade from handle.
  • Perforate each drum head from rim to rim.
  • Use thumb to retract blade into handle.
  • Place box cutter back into pocket.
  • Resume conversation.
 
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#80
jamro217 said:
I'd hook a drum machine up to an amp out of the drummer's sight and turn it on every time he started to speak.
Click to expand...

Or, one of those remote controlled fart boxes... I placed one at the front of one of our meeting rooms. When it got a little noisy in the room, I'd activate it, and each time I did, one supervisor kept looking at the other... finally she turned to him and asked, "Is that you?".

If you knew it wasn't you, why would you ask someone else if it was them? Ugh, mental midgets...
 
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