drummer count in guitar only start?

[CS]

I hate that ****..

I could be a little biased, having exhaustive experience with classical/conducted music, but I feel like unless you want the '4-clicks and go' effect/sound, there is NO REASON to click in ever..

Everyone should have the tempo in mind, the leader should be able to breathe-as-beat-four and everyone starts.

Maybe a litttttle ambitious for some groups, but to come backdown to earth: it looks stupid to have the drummer click something off and then one non-drummer starts the song. silly

I dep/sub on guitar as well as play bass. I often play the same songs for different band leaders who all want different tempos to the original. One in particular drags the tempo. I ask for a count in because sometimes the desired tempo just doesn't sound right. The count in helps me deliver what the band leader wants.

 

[BassyBill]

Exactly. That's why I prefer to count in a song, it's really not that big of a deal. You don't have to shout it out, it can be a simple nod of the head.



Not all intros begin on the 1. For example, BB King likes to lead off a tune on the 'and' of 3. If someone started off without a count and thought the beginning of the phrase was the 1 of the count, it would throw off the intro. In that case, I would count out the tune, and come in on the 3& and let everyone know that the 1 is coming.

A count doesn't have to be blatant. You can do a subtle count in that no-one but the band notices. I'd much rather have the band be tight, and if a count-in helps, there's no reason why I wouldn't do it.

Spot on. If anyone in the band hears the 1 in the wrong place right at the start of the song (however well they've learned it), it can be really hard for them to make the mental shift necessary quickly enough to start off tight - and starting off tight is crucial.

As you say, count-ins can be subtle and unnoticed by anyone but the band. But they're necessary in many cases.

Another classic example. Where's the one? Easy with a count, tricky without.

 

[mellowinman]

 

[mellowinman]

Spot on. If anyone in the band hears the 1 in the wrong place right at the start of the song (however well they've learned it), it can be really hard for them to make the mental shift necessary quickly enough to start off tight - and starting off tight is crucial.

As you say, count-ins can be subtle and unnoticed by anyone but the band. But they're necessary in many cases.

Another classic example. Where's the one? Easy with a count, tricky without.

How would you need a count in with Rock and Roll? The drum part at the beginning serves as a count!

 

[Downunderwonder]

Guitar player starting off with no count is a recipe for a trainwreck unless your guitar player is a pro. Drummers usually have a much better sense of tempo.

 

[jive1]

How would you need a count in with Rock and Roll? The drum part at the beginning serves as a count!

Because sometimes the band can get lost in the build up prior to when the band comes in. If a drummer counted it out or gave a cue, the band can come in tight after the intro.

 

[duff beer]

Guitar player starting off with no count is a recipe for a trainwreck unless your guitar player is a pro. Drummers usually have a much better sense of tempo.

That is an inaccurate generalization. The guitar player in one of my bands is a human metronome.

 

[mellowinman]

Because sometimes the band can get lost in the build up prior to when the band comes in. If a drummer counted it out or gave a cue, the band can come in tight after the intro.

The build up is:

AND FOUR AND
ONE AND TWO AND THREE AND FOUR AND
ONE AND TWO AND THREE AND FOUR AND
ONE AND TWO AND THREE AND FOUR AND
ONE AND TWO AND THREE AND FOUR AND

​

BAM when played like the record.

How would you count that in?

I don't get that at all. If the drummer is playing that intro correctly, the band should be able to nail it every single time with just a tiny bit of woodshedding.

 

[Downunderwonder]

One two three...1st to play picks up on the & of the three and we're off.