How does it work without a drummer in the band?

[Steve Dallman]

I played in an electric two piece in the mid 70's. With fairly low tension strings, I'd pick the note, and then bang my hand on the strings, creating a "boom-chick" sound. It worked well. There are a lot of percussive sounds in a bass, you just have to get creative.

 

[Yuulie]

kevteop: why would a double bass solve the problem? Sadly I don't play it...

 

[Yuulie]

4dog: sorry I don't really get what you mean... is there a video of the technique somewhere?

 

[Yuulie]

Thank you very much everybody!! That helps a lot! :-D

 

[Febs]

There's a good Tal Farlow album called the Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow. Check that out.

Great album! I haven't listened to that in a couple of years. I may have to pull that CD off the shelf when I get home and give it a listen.

 

[Jhengsman]

kevteop: why would a double bass solve the problem? Sadly I don't play it...

By itself the strings don't sustain as much so it is more percussive in attack. Think of Jamerson with foam under the bridge as a simulator for an upright and other muting techniques

 

[stevemac]

I play a duo with my wife for fun mostly and we do it without drummer.

It will vary, I've incorporated a lot of slap into songs, and she'll sometimes play the keyboard more percussively.

However its difficult to do without the timing suffering at some point particularly if you both sing. We're adding a simple drum recording and I hate to admit it really does help a lot.

 

[EastCoastThump]

+1 to copping the kick/snare vibe with bass and the guitar—sort of like bluegrass bands have done forever, or like this.

 

[PrairieDogma]

+1 to copping the kick/snare vibe with bass and the guitar—sort of like bluegrass bands have done forever, or like this.

Great link! Even if there is no bass!

I play more often without a drummer than with. There's lots of different kinds of good music out there.

And, yes, the keys can fill in the low end, but don't have to and shouldn't if you're taking care of that. Bass without drums can sound totally great. It can be a good idea when certain instruments take a break for a song or two, partly because they sound so good when they come back in. Kind of like the band jumping back in after an a capella verse.

Cheers!

 

[GreggBummer]

I would talk to the keys player and coordinate. Make sure you both understand what role you are going to play. That way he can hold down the groove when you step out and vice-versa. Support each other.

I love situations like this. Push the envelope. Grow. Learn something.

 

[Stick_Player]

It takes an awfully good drummer to be better than no drummer at all.

 

[4dog]

I seriously doubt it about a video,, but some people call it sloppy playing lol, basically you play a bit of the line then tap the strings over the pickups where the snare would be,, i do this automatically to help keep time when practicing without metronome or drumloops,, cool thing is it works and you can get people to clap with ya subconciously,, i dont do it when a drum dude is playing though. Try it ,,,, or not.

 

[Jazzkuma]

There are a lot of jazz trios without drums. Oscar Peterson played that setting for a long time.

It will also help you get better time. This will make YOU have good time instead of you following the drummers time.