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How do I make my drummer slow down!?

#22
odie said:
Is their a problem??? If their is please PM me I would love to hear your opinion a bit more.
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Theres not a problem. Its just he can't do anything about moving it, and for the last couple times a new member has posted something in OT that doesn't belong their, you replied with

Just a heads up about Talkbass. Each forum has its one specialty but OT. Ot is for Non-Music topics. So this will be moved to amps/bass/

Sorry if it sounded like I meant it in a sarcastic or mean way. I really didn't mean to. :)
 
#28
You might want to ask your hyper-drummer about some of the songs he likes. And ask him about the tempo/groove of those songs. If it's thrash-speed-death-metal...forget the above.

Try to explain that relaxed, groovin', playing can be as "cool" as it gets. Some songs simply don't groove unless the tempo is right.
Sometimes fast sounds so relaxed, sometimes slow sounds so intense.
You gotta point out these differences to the drummer. Or, fire him.
 
#29
So we took every cover and original tune we did, charted out the BPMs. Wrote the BPM of every tune on a sheet of paper and handed a metronome and the sheet of paper to our drummer and said "everytime you play a song with the band or practice you wear this and play to this" 8 months later the problem is 80% better. The key is working with open minded people in a band that will listen and try different things to get better at thier instrument.
 
#30
thanks, that sounds like it just might work RicPlaya!! I'll give it a try.

To specify, we are in a punk band. I know, punk, fast, it goes together. I am aiming for fast. But he just takes it... you know... to warp speed or something. TOO fast.

P. Aaron, He likes really raunchy street-punk stuff where the goal is play as fast as you can and say things like "oi" and "kill cops" and use the word "punx." You know, like the casualties.

And finally: He's often at the right tempo when we practice, but at gigs he kinda goes nuts and speeds everything up, and he says that most bands play faster when they play live. Might be true, but either way it really simply doesn't work for us. Just thought I'd mention that too.
 
#32
Yossarian said:
And finally: He's often at the right tempo when we practice, but at gigs he kinda goes nuts and speeds everything up, and he says that most bands play faster when they play live. Might be true, but either way it really simply doesn't work for us. Just thought I'd mention that too.
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Ah Yes, controlling the excitement level live...of the band. Try to remind him that it's the same songs, and listening is still job one.

Our drummer has speed issues too. I remind him from time to time that faster...is not always better.

Or...tell him to slow down because "you've got to stetch the time limit of the set out".
 
#33
Yossarian, you are BLESSED compared to my situation. I play in a band that I wanted to be FAST and lately all we do is sit around, play like we all want to be The Dead Kennedys, and then I get to sit around trying to actually get my guitarist to play something other than slug metal (well, to me it's slow, probably fast enough for regular guys). And for the most part, I get yessed to death when i try to improve things. at least your band can play.
 
#34
I like the jam session idea that Odie mentioned. Id have one with just me, him, & a metronome, then Id have him play it at the tempo on the metronome.

Id also have him bring the metronome home and have him start practicing with it.
 
#36
Get a synthesizer and add some rhythmic loops in your music, He will have to play with it as will everyone. And, as you get better with the synth He will begin to have job security issues and perhaps begin to pay closer attention to little details like tempo.
 
#37
Yossarian said:
I write a song with a tempo in mind, and the drummer speeds it up. He speeds it up alot. He thinks fast = good and that's all there is to it. Problem is, he speeds it up to the point where I actually can't play it the way I wrote it. I've plainly told him "sweet mother of holy crap, that was ridiculously fast, I SIMPLY CANNOT PLAY IT THAT FAST" and he's like "okay ill slow it down next time" and he thinks he's slowed it down but it's JUST AS FAST. Any advice? :help:
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Fire him or bring the metronome and he will be so instulted he might just quit.

I had the same problem...but we record every session so the horrible drummer could go home and hear how bad it was...I am just convinced he couldn't play under 100=BPM
 
#39
For many it is much more difficult to play slower. When the gaps get bigger a lot of people can't keep the time. Maybe this is why he plays fast. Mention this and he may take it as a challenge to his drumming skills.

Also, a metronome should send a message and force him to stay at your bpm.
 
#40
Yossarian said:
I write a song with a tempo in mind, and the drummer speeds it up. He speeds it up alot. He thinks fast = good and that's all there is to it. Problem is, he speeds it up to the point where I actually can't play it the way I wrote it. I've plainly told him "sweet mother of holy crap, that was ridiculously fast, I SIMPLY CANNOT PLAY IT THAT FAST" and he's like "okay ill slow it down next time" and he thinks he's slowed it down but it's JUST AS FAST. Any advice? :help:
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Are you playing with Stewart Copeland by chance?
 

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