Do you Find it Difficult playing without a drummer?

[chuckNC]

There is no playing in front or behind the beat because he then either rushes or drags. (Proven in field experiments).

Sounds like our old drummer has found a new home.

 

[Wil_Couch]

Someone already said it here, but it's important for every musician/band member to keep good time.

Also, echoing comments from others here, when playing without a drummer make sure you keep it rather simple, play confidently, and make sure you keep your inner rhythm/groove tight. If you aren't the band member that is driving the tempo, make sure you are keeping an eye on the one who is so you can follow their lead.

Watch this video from Vic Wooten's Groove Workshop. Obviously, they're focusing on bass, but this is a great lesson for all musicians

Victor Wooten's Time Keeping Groove Workshop

 

[grey area]

same here,oversized and an ugly mother to boot.i only wish my drummer read talkbass. back to the thread,glad the gig went well. it might be an idea to rehearse sometimes without the drummer,getting a groove going without a drummer is a great buzz,

 

[DougD]

Tonight is officially my first gig with a cover band. (Bar setting)

Low and behold, the drummer has a stomach bug. We have no fill-in, and we're going to shift to a more mellow set.

I'm not the most experienced Bassist, and so far I've leaned on the drummer a bit for my timing.

Any advice? I've been given an "out of jail free card", if I'd like to bow out gracefully. It's definitely out of my comfort zone, holding down the rhythm alone.

Actually, given the poor timing and taste of most drummers I've played with, I actually find it easier to play without one

 

[Bunk McNulty]

I did a gig with a singer/guitarist yesterday, and the recurring refrain of "Keep it simple" is important. I found myself overplaying more than once, thinking I had to fill up the sound. Bad idea: the singer needed the pulse, not more notes from me. Took a few tunes to straighten myself out, then we were cool.

 

[fraublugher]

My experience is the rhythmn section usually has a more accurate pocket than the rest, removing the drummer exposes this problem by showing who never worked on subdividing the beat, ever.

 

[dbnet03]

Not at all. However, I was a drummer in my previous band

 

[AmieLouHat]

My drummer periodically steps up to play accordion, lots of drone notes and not the best sense of tempo on the thing. It can be brutal at times.

 

[sedan_dad]

Not as difficult as with a bad drummer.

 

[DwaynieAD]

related story: guitarist and I decided to jam some of our tunes while waiting for the drummer to get there as warm ups. played our one song which is probably one of the most fun songs we play. without the drums it was the most boring song we played.

 

[DougD]

What ever happened to professional courtesy? If a musician can't make a gig, they should have a sub so the show can go on. That used to be fairly common, what happened?