Could be the venue and patrons don't hear it or care.
If they're working, then they're working. Up to OP to decide if he can live with these issues.
Personally, if it weren't about $$, I'd bounce.
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Drummer with no groove, what do you do?
- Thread starter bslayton
- Start date
Could be the venue and patrons don't hear it or care.
If they're working, then they're working. Up to OP to decide if he can live with these issues.
Personally, if it weren't about $$, I'd bounce.
BassHappy
Supporting Member
he does this kind of tribal pounding thing in 4/4 and i just play over top of that, it's best to avoid fills or anything semi complex
Interesting. You're saying this was a beneficial experience? Try playing with a great drummer, that would really make you improve as a player.
MDBass
Supporting Member
- Nov 7, 2012
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And fire the guitar player too while you're at it....it's bound to happen
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
It's a sliding scale... some drummers have funky technique and idiosyncrasies but have great time... that works! Some drummers can play technically but have no groove. Some drummers have no dynamics. It's a melting pot of things. All of the above can be said for some bass players too! I've been working too long with so many great drummers who have great time, feel, and dynamics that I refuse to put up with being in any sort of formal 'band' situation with a bad one. My time and the integrity of the music is not worth it. If on a pickup or one-off gig with a drummer whose groove is less than stellar, you work together as a team to make it feel and work out as best as possible... that will happen from time to time, but it's not often since the drummers who get those same gigs are often great... and that's why they're filling in! Always play with the best people possible, and develop your ear and sensibilities to the point where your instinct tells you if a drummer 'gets it' or not. You'll then be able to very quickly decide if you should stay or go.
BassHouston
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- Jan 30, 2012
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I lost a good gig a few years ago suggesting the same kind of lousy drummer ways to get a better pocket ( in a very polite and respectful manner ). I'd say move on and find a better gig.
It's quite a chore trying to groove and lock in with a bad drummer. One big reason I bailed on my old band is the drummer was simply awful. No feel, no groove, no technique, time all over the place. Made Meg White look like Neil Peart. I'm a former drummer and an audio engineer as well so I know a little bit about how they should be and sound.
I just don't have patience for it anymore. You have "it" or you don't in my opinion.
I just don't have patience for it anymore. You have "it" or you don't in my opinion.
If you say the band is gigging well, I'd get a feel for what the other members think of his drumming. If they have an opinion similar to yours, you should (try to) convince them to get another drummer. If they are fine with his ways . . . Exit stage left! Having to deal with a mediocre drummer is one of the worst possible scenarios for a bass player.
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Went through this recently for several months, after we brought in a new drummer off of CL. He was "technically excellent and was a studio pro" but he lacked the "feel" necessary for playing songs that require subtle speed/volume/dynamic changes in unison with everyone else. He would also unleash unrequested impressive blasts of improvisation at times that did not serve the song. But he never really "got" the feel we were trying to create in many of our regular tunes. When we told him we were using a sub for the next gig because he wasn't ready in our opinion, he emailed the the BL that he had several other band opportunities that he wanted to try. I personally liked the guy, but playing bass is just a chore when trying to lock in with a drummer that is just Unsure about where to go. And everyone else felt the vibe as well.
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Gigs like that are all work and no fun. Depending on the player and my mood at the gig, I'll either except the situation and try to play with the drummer as best as I can or I may say "f@*~ it", and set the time and let the drummer stay with me as best as they can. But I wouldn't join a band with a drummer like that, there's too many good ones to have to play with a bad one.
Bassically, Michael
Bassically, Michael
Leaving is harsh, but on face of it, good advice.
However, we need to communicate - we are humans after all. If you explain to everyone that it isn't working for you and you cannot lock in with the drummer. Explain that this is fundamental to a bass/drum existance. You're not necessarily blaming the drummer - it's just not working. You've tried to work it out with the drummer but humility is not one of his strengths and he doesn't see there's a problem.
You've done all you can and see no way forward.
Then, you leave it at that and wait.
You haven't left the band - you've made your position crystal clear. If you do end up leaving then you have done with your reputation in tact and hopefully everyone's respect. However, other members may step forward and say the drummer is a liability and that may lead to drummer auditions?
Maybe a low chance of success, but carrying on as you are isn't going to be good for you either.
Regards
Davo
However, we need to communicate - we are humans after all. If you explain to everyone that it isn't working for you and you cannot lock in with the drummer. Explain that this is fundamental to a bass/drum existance. You're not necessarily blaming the drummer - it's just not working. You've tried to work it out with the drummer but humility is not one of his strengths and he doesn't see there's a problem.
You've done all you can and see no way forward.
Then, you leave it at that and wait.
You haven't left the band - you've made your position crystal clear. If you do end up leaving then you have done with your reputation in tact and hopefully everyone's respect. However, other members may step forward and say the drummer is a liability and that may lead to drummer auditions?
Maybe a low chance of success, but carrying on as you are isn't going to be good for you either.
Regards
Davo
Wow. Sounds exactly like the drummer in my contemporary country band. The way I've described him is he's a good drummer but a terrible musician. He's in his own world when he's playing. Very frustrating to say the least.
