• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Going Drummerless..?

BigBoneRed

BigBoneRed

Sep 23, 2024
222
483
Texas Gulf Coast
#1
Our "band" has been on hiatus for a while, and is considering options for the future, one of them being a drummer.:roflmao: I have been thinking of moving in the direction of more solo-type projects and am curious if anyone else has moved on from seeking a "live" drummer, and had any success in the endeavor? Please share your success stories here, and what works best for you after going drummer-less in either live, or studio situations.. TYVM TBCommunity!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: mattj1stc
#2
There was a time in my life I was almost completely drummer dependent, but I got the cure in the form of playing music with my dad. Nothing like playing with nothing but a singing guitar player to break the inability to play without a drummer.
Not that I dislike playing with drummers; I love playing with good drummers, which is how I learned to keep time so well. People call me a human metronome. :smug:
 
  • Like
Reactions: lowplaces and BigBoneRed
#4
fhm555 said:
There was a time in my life I was almost completely drummer dependent, but I got the cure in the form of playing music with my dad. Nothing like playing with nothing but a singing guitar player to break the inability to play without a drummer.
Not that I dislike playing with drummers; I love playing with good drummers, which is how I learned to keep time so well. People call me a human metronome. :smug:
Click to expand...
Not so much an "inability", just that drums can be the heartbeat, and drive of music. Looking to find it again, if in another form~:)
 
  • Like
Reactions: fhm555
#5
BigBoneRed said:
Not so much an "inability", just that drums can be the heartbeat, and drive of music. Looking to find it again, if in another form~:)
Click to expand...
Patting your foot when you are sitting and your heel when standing maybe? I prefer to use my heel in either situation. When I was first learning that was my go to time keeper.
 
#10
I echo what JimmyM stated...
One of my two bands is drummerless, and as the bassist I fill much of that role (along with an excellent rhythm guitarist. Granted, this project excels without a drummer, so this does not work in all circumstances.
I WILL say that doing so will likely make you a better bassist and musician, as our role becomes much more evident. There is no place to hide, and you must listen to the overall group.
It is great fun!
 
  • Like
Reactions: MonetBass and nick4bass
#14
My band has transitioned to drummerless. We were a 5-piece (piano, bass, 2 guitarists, drummer) playing original Americana music. We recently reassessed and decided to downsize to a trio (piano, guitar, bass). A big part of the reason for doing that was that many more venues (with small stages) were available to us as a trio. Austin is a songwriter town, so we're emphasizing that we're a trio of songwriters, rather than a band, and can fit onto little corner stages meant for a couple of guitarists. We've been really pleased with the transition. There's a nice ebb and flow, as we all listen and react to one another. If we were to add a percussionist it would probably just be someone playing a cajon and shaker--and only if they could listen well and respond to the nuances. In the meantime, I've started using a Roland SPD-1 to add a little subtle kick drum on 2 & 4 to some of the upbeat songs.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Hughes and M-Mittlesteadt
#17
I'm getting ready to embark on what I hope will be an acoustic Americana trio (two guitars and me on bass), built around a singer/songwriter. I've done a couple of gigs like this before with different musicians and I really enjoy the vibe. "Unplugged" was the phrase used years ago when rock bands played acoustically. That is helps a band fit into smaller venues is certainly a benefit. I hope this pans out
 
  • Like
Reactions: lowplaces
#18
Playing without a drummer can be a lot of fun in the right situations. I was part of a larger rock group (drummer, 3 guitars, keys, bass, many singers). When that fell apart, the guitarist, a singer, and I started jamming together, and it worked really well. We've kept it up now for about 10 years and have even played out several times.

The main difference was that we went from rock to jazz. In terms of playing, keeping the beat falls squarely upon you. You can't be quite as adventurous in terms of rhythm. The others need to have a sense of the beat, especially the one, so hit that well in each bar. Your note choices should also lean towards more of the traditional walking chord tones. Sometimes, an inversion or passing tone works, but most of the time, starting a measure on the root or octave helps everyone else play better.

Maybe the most difficult part is that there's nowhere to hide compared playing in a big group. What everyone does is very visible and apparent. Anyway, good luck. It will make you a better bass player.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nick4bass and BigBoneRed
#20
My folk/country/americana band has had periods where we performed without a drummer and I wasn't a fan at all. On the one hand it exposed me a lot more and I quickly adapted and I think did improve as a bassist and de facto drummer. On the other hand our music lost a lot of energy and we didn't "rock" as much. It's hard to bring the house down without a drummer. Though I have seen some really talented bluegrass bands do it. But we are not bluegrass.

Having a solid drummer and bass rhythm section is just WAY more fun.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back