Help with counting repeated riffs?

[warnergt]

When it comes to changes, the drummer is my salvation. I listen for vocal cues, melodic cues, and most of all drum cues.

Counting is definitely the best way to keep track, but listening for the drummer to telegraph a change works every time as well.

+1 Often, the drummer is already counting (either consciously
or unconsciously). He should be able to give you a little lead-in
to the change. And, even if he gets it wrong, you two are still
synchronized. So you go around one extra time. It won't matter.

 

[Groove Master]

Can anyone please help me find a way to not lose count when playing songs that have a riff which repeats many times? For instance, in "Money" the opening riff repeats 10 times and I always lose track of how many times I've played it! Thank you for your suggestions, this issue drives me a little crazy!

Don't count, you'll be lost in the music.

FEEL THE 2 BARS THEN THE 4 BARS THEN THE 8 BARS.

DON'T COUNT.

 

[Phil Smith]

Knowing and following the melody works best, especially if the person singing the melody, forgets, ad-libs.

 

[Crazyeelboy]

We have one song (superstar) where even after playing the song for months, I still had to actually call out each measure in the studio. We had a track with my voice counting. We took that out but I still do it over the mic sometimes live. Crowd digs it.