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Drummer appreciation can be a real thing
- Thread starter Hasty
- Start date
I really appreciate (and actually, like) the two drummers I play alongside and could never understand the “fire the drummer” gag. Especially, since they are so hard to find!
I have the utmost respect for good drummers. After starting to learn the drums, I realized that I had great respect even for average drummers and appreciation for anyone playing the drums passably. I play woodwinds and things with strings competently. All I have to do is wiggle my fingers in time and put them in the right places. Fingers are designed for precision movement. It came easily to me and I've been doing it my whole life. Put me behind a kit and you'd think I never held a stick beforehand. Drummers wiggle four limbs in time while keeping time and good drummers can do it tastefully with precision and finesse while also making precise finger adjustments. Just the body mechanics alone are a thing, much less doing them well.
I've been lucky to play with some amazing drummers and fortunate to play with a lot of competent drummers. I've also played with some drummers that were literally random audience members who may have never tapped a bongo before in their lives, but still sat behind the kit on stage. Here's to the PERCUSSIONISTS.
I've been lucky to play with some amazing drummers and fortunate to play with a lot of competent drummers. I've also played with some drummers that were literally random audience members who may have never tapped a bongo before in their lives, but still sat behind the kit on stage. Here's to the PERCUSSIONISTS.
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,122
- 16,794
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- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
The best drummers I've worked with are Kenny Aronoff,
Brian Tichy Brian Tichy - Wikipedia (one track with George Lynch) and
Will Hunt Will Hunt - Wikipedia, plus a multitude of great local and regional players. The drummer can make or break a project!
Brian Tichy Brian Tichy - Wikipedia (one track with George Lynch) and
Will Hunt Will Hunt - Wikipedia, plus a multitude of great local and regional players. The drummer can make or break a project!
THIS!
Having played on a few worship bands in church as well as bands outside of the church, I have played with some lousy drummers, some mediocre drummers and one or two absolutely stellar drummers. I have played with some that were really humble and some that had egos bigger than most lead guitarists'.
The absolute BEST drummer I ever played with was a guy that when he wasn't playing on the worship team at church, he was playing with his siblings in a Christian Metal band. He and I just seemed to mesh on whatever song we were playing and got to the point where we were a single unit in rhythm where he and I would anticipate what the other was going to do and the fills just happened naturally together. When they did, we would always turn and look at each other and smile really big because it just felt so natural.
The worst drummer I ever played with couldn't keep time if he had a metronome blaring in his ear. He was frustrating to say the least. Fortunately, I only played 3 songs with him and then never saw him again.
The current drummer I play with is a solid, humble guy with great timing and steady beat. I'll take that any day!
The drummer in this picture and I have been working together for nearly 25 years. We have been called the best rhythm section in the Midwest by more than one sound engineer. He is the peanut butter to my chocolate.
It’s hard to explain it to a non-musician. Whenever I try to describe what it’s like to truly connect with a drummer, the words and analogies I come up with feel insufficient.
One of the biggest motivators for learning my craft was that I knew what it was like to play with a really good drummer, and I wanted to be at the level where I could get to do that regularly.
It's like magic, and I go right to my zone/happy place when the groove is there. Like @Fight4Bottom says, no words are sufficient to describe it.
It's like magic, and I go right to my zone/happy place when the groove is there. Like @Fight4Bottom says, no words are sufficient to describe it.
THIS^ Everything you all said 100%
I've really only ever worked with 3 drummers besides an occasional random session or jam but 2 of the 3 were/are outstanding drummers. Very different drummers but both great. 1 of them I have been working with for gosh, 25+ years off and on. Makes all the difference in the world and I know how lucky I am.
I've really only ever worked with 3 drummers besides an occasional random session or jam but 2 of the 3 were/are outstanding drummers. Very different drummers but both great. 1 of them I have been working with for gosh, 25+ years off and on. Makes all the difference in the world and I know how lucky I am.
Met my 1st drummer the morning of our 1st gig [July 4th 1986] and we played together for 7.5 years. A total pro, not the best time keeper, but w/ everything else, total pro.
A few drummers later I played w/ Mike Hodges, longtime collaborator w/ Adrian Belew, both doing a world tour w/ David Bowie. He & I played against the grain so to speak, which made every gig electric but also felt like walking a tight rope without a net. Exciting but nerve racking. But boy did he teach me about timing.
My current drummer [jazz trained] for the last 2 decades is a cross between Steve Ferrone & Jim Keltner. For me it's like be cradled in the most comfortable leather chair that fits my behind like a glove. Not to mention a sweetheart of a guy, and full of great ideas in the studio.
I've been blessed beyond belief to have played w/ 7 great drummers. Each different, each teaching me new insights on teamwork.
A few drummers later I played w/ Mike Hodges, longtime collaborator w/ Adrian Belew, both doing a world tour w/ David Bowie. He & I played against the grain so to speak, which made every gig electric but also felt like walking a tight rope without a net. Exciting but nerve racking. But boy did he teach me about timing.
My current drummer [jazz trained] for the last 2 decades is a cross between Steve Ferrone & Jim Keltner. For me it's like be cradled in the most comfortable leather chair that fits my behind like a glove. Not to mention a sweetheart of a guy, and full of great ideas in the studio.
I've been blessed beyond belief to have played w/ 7 great drummers. Each different, each teaching me new insights on teamwork.
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A really good drummer makes our jobs so much easier, effective, and pleasurable. This is coming from the perspective of playing a four-hour gig last week with NO drummer. It certainly makes for a long night's work.
Still, better to have a four-hour gig with no drummer than one with a bad drummer!
I was hired to replace a bass player in a blues rock band. Never played with them before or even heard them play. I was "warned" by the singer that the drummer was "busy", so I walked into practice expecting a Keith Moon, sort of flailing. We cranked off a funk version of "I'm A Ram" and, instantly, the drummer and I clicked - solid groove, solid time. Yeah he was "busy" - Like Garibaldi is "busy". Funky spelled "Phonky". We were throwing fills and kicks, like we had one brain playing two instruments.. After the song was over, we just looked at each other and grinned. And the rest of practice was like that - we kept throwing kicks and fills, just to see how far out we could get without losing each other, and we stayed locked and together, even though we never played together and never heard each other play. It was like, we just knew where the music was going. We discovered we could accent the guitar player's solos without any preparation - the "White on ice". The guitar player pulled his head up out of his solo and grinned back at us - he could see he now had a driving rhythm section that would make him sound great and he could stretch out a far as he wanted to.. . After practice, the singer took me aside and asked "are you OK playing with this guy? I mean, he plays way too much." I replied, "we're going to get along just fine."
All drummer jokes aside, this is the simple truth. If you have a crappy drummer, you have a crappy band ! You need a drummer that keeps good time, stays in the pocket, and can set up the groove. Without this, it is no fun !
I've been with my current drummer for going on 9 years. He's not flashy but steady. He is always early for anything. He is devoted to the band and never misses a rehearsal or a gig. He sings lead on 10+ songs a night right along with most harmonies, and he sings well. He takes the lead on load-in-load out and carefully packs my trailer. He is basically a work horse. What else would any band need?
Well said,
i worship a good drummer, we know how important they are...when you find a good one it's almost magic
i worship a good drummer, we know how important they are...when you find a good one it's almost magic
I've been fortunate to play a with more good drummers than bad. Some of them have been awesome guides into bass/drum relationships which have helped me grow immensely.
Unfortunately, the guy I'm currently paired with is not one of them...
So yeah, "sport" aside, I tend to really appreciate my rhythm section partner.
Unfortunately, the guy I'm currently paired with is not one of them...
So yeah, "sport" aside, I tend to really appreciate my rhythm section partner.
Totally agree
However, I noticed that what a lot of guitarists call a great drummer is not necessarily a great drummer for me......anybody else notice this occasionally?
However, I noticed that what a lot of guitarists call a great drummer is not necessarily a great drummer for me......anybody else notice this occasionally?
