Diplomatic way to make the drummer stop drumming?

[Tony In Philly]

What's even worse is that these same types of drummers will often pound on their kit after setting up at a gig. Tuning the kit and getting it right are, of course, a necessity. Showing off for people in a club, while the rest of the band is still setting up is unnecessary and unnerving.

 

[groooooove]

 

[turf3]

What's even worse is that these same types of drummers will often pound on their kit after setting up at a gig. Tuning the kit and getting it right are, of course, a necessity. Showing off for people in a club, while the rest of the band is still setting up is unnecessary and unnerving.

No, "tuning the kit and getting it right" are not necessities. It's not like a fiddle, it doesn't "go out of tune" from a ride in the car. Tune the drums at home. Figure out where you want everything set. Mark the settings if you need to. Many manufacturers now make "quick lock" hardware that you just take out of the carry case and click it together and it's right where it needs to be.

The best drummers I have played with carry a small kit which they are able to put together and adjust in about five minutes. A quick couple of licks to make sure everything's tight, and they are done. Then they sit quietly till it's time to play.

Teenage drummers and wannabes fiddle-dick around with the thing forever and a day, also bringing about three times more stuff than they need, and it doesn't make them sound a bit better. Sorry buddy, but if you can't get it done with a snare and bass, two mounted toms and a floor tom, a hi-hat a ride and a crash, you won't be able to get it done any better by bringing more stuff. Unless you are Sonny Greer, Steve Smith, or Steve Gadd, leave the tubular bells, wind chimes, and the 18 toms at home, please.

 

[turf3]

I'm still going to maintain the solution is to find a sympathetic Mafioso to have a word with him.

 

[Nick Danger]

Our drummer shows up early to rehearsal and works on his chops. When it's time to rehearse there's no time for that as we go immediately from one song to another for an entire set (just like we do at gigs).
See if your drummer can do that.

 

[Frndmoretti]

Whem my guitarist started noodling between songs like this I used to increase my volume a lot and play a tritone chord over and over until he stopped

 

[GBBSbassist]

What's even worse is that these same types of drummers will often pound on their kit after setting up at a gig. Tuning the kit and getting it right are, of course, a necessity. Showing off for people in a club, while the rest of the band is still setting up is unnecessary and unnerving.

About ten years back, a band I was in was getting ready to go on while a band was finishing up their last few songs. Our drummer was setting up his kit off to the side, though it was still fairly close to the playing area (there was no stage at this place). This guy was a real piece of work and I didn't really enjoy being in a band with him in the first place. The last straw for me in that band was when the band currently playing was obviously not finished, and our drummer decided that would be a great time for him to start practicing a few fills for some of our songs. Obviously, it threw off the other band, and we felt terrible. He showed no signs of even caring at all. He was the brother of one of the guitar players, and even he was in favor of firing the drummer.

 

[scourgeofgod]

Back when I was in a band and our drummer did this while the guitarist and I were trying to talk I finally shouted "Shut up your hands!", and it became like our go to phrase, drummer would laugh/smile and stop. It was used on me before as well.

 

[rashrader]

You NEVER talk bad about my Aimee Nolte....lol.

I didn't realize she's an internet star... Oops. Sorry.

 

[LBS-bass]

is there one?

I suspect it's his only kit time of the week.

Wait, what? You have a band with members that can't practice between rehearsals? That's a whole different level of trouble.

I did see a few people suggesting that you give him the option to come early and play for an hour or two. That would depend on where you practice, how much it costs, etc. No way am I having anyone over to my home for two hours before any of the rehearsals that happen here but maybe it's a viable option for you. To my mind the fact that he can't practice would be a bigger reason to cut him loose than the disruptions. That's right up there on the basics list with reasonable gear and transportation.

 

[Al T.]

Would a throat punch be considered undiplomatic ?

 

[jamro217]

Try this: as soon as he starts noodling, everyone stop talking and watch him. When he stops, resume conversation. After a few times he may ask what's going on. Apologize for talking over his drumming.

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

Would a throat punch be considered undiplomatic ?

Only if your particular drummer has a brain, otherwise they can't feel pain and it's not likely to do much.

 

[Ric5]

put a shock collar on the drummer

 

[Tony In Philly]

Try this: as soon as he starts noodling, everyone stop talking and watch him. When he stops, resume conversation. After a few times he may ask what's going on. Apologize for talking over his drumming.

Good idea, but the cluelessness/narcissism that creates the desire to bang while people are talking would probably cause him to think "Wow, I must really be cooking. They're all dropping their conversation to watch me play!".

 

[pwhalen]

Air Horn...

 

[tedious1]

As soon as we stop, he's doing runs, rolls and fills, endlessly and usually at volume.

Simples, get a pair of sticks. Next practice, before starting, ask him not to play between songs while you guys are working out the arrangement and details. Ask like a civil human being and explain it's hard to communicate next to a drum kit that is being played.

The first time he starts playing through, whip out the stick and try to follow him, on his kit. Not play with, follow, hit what he hit, right after he did. Yep, that'll shatter his concentration in a hot second. Then you repeat your original request, politely.

Wash, rinse repeat until your drummer gets the idea. Asking is one thing, a display of what he is doing, is quite another, and probably more effective.

 

[bassdude51]

Tell him that down sizing will be a good thing and easier to transport. (less drums and stuff, less messing about)

 

[bassicmike]

some factoids

Not my band, so firing him isn't an option
He doesn't do it at shows
He's a good drummer

He.just.won't.stop.drumming.

 

[MakoMan]

Fire him, but do it very diplomatically.