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How important do you consider a good drummer?
- Thread starter cantstoplt021
- Start date
....
I hope I'm not out of place here, it seems every response has come from bassists.
Logical that, as this is a bassist's forum.
This is not to shift this thread off topic here, but rather to respond with how a funk/pocket/soul drummer thinks about the absolute preeminent importance of having a great bass player.
That is why I joined this group in the first place.
As a drummer, my colossal and continuing frustration remains the difficulty in finding an excellent bass player who I can lock with.
Assuming the time keeping "metronome" aspect has been satified, the most critical element a drummer can bring to the show is feel.
After getting Groovy, everything else is gravy.
As it is with perfect pitch or tone, perfect timing, with effortlessly natural feel, either he/she either has it, or simply does not, and will only ever just miss the boat, no matter how much he or she tries, practices and takes lessons.
Students and professionals certainly get far better with years of hard work, but nothing beats being born with these gifts.
If you follow drummers like Keith Carlock, Steve Gadd, Clyde Stubblefield, Billy Cobham, and obviously there are quite a few others who consistently spoil us with their flawlessly restrained virtuosity in delivering a most soulfully appropriate feel to what ever the song requires.
But then, a hoard of pretenders (many are famous) with incredible speed and skills try to out-do each other, but sadly end up ruining so many otherwise potentially great performances.
I have declined invitations to stay and play further sessions - all due to one major reason, the lack of a similarly minded rhythm section partner, namely a bass player to lock step to.
Where is there a budding Jaco Pastorius when I need him/her?
Has anyone listened to the group, Tortured Soul?
That drummer has a superb yet simple soulful feel.
A few years ago, I was helping a buddy set up our display booth area at a huge drum show, and the place was filled with all the big and small name brands from all over the world,
The balance of the participants were drummers or drum related purchasers.
Clinics (several) were given by some famous drummers, drum sets were being played everywhere you looked, but a friend of mine (a Brooklyn church based-drummer) sat down and played a bit, and you could see heads turning any direction you looked, because he has the MOST killer pocket!!!
People actually started dancing because of the feel.
He did not play ANY FILLS, just the HH, snare and kick!
I hope I'm not out of place here, it seems every response has come from bassists.
Logical that, as this is a bassist's forum.
This is not to shift this thread off topic here, but rather to respond with how a funk/pocket/soul drummer thinks about the absolute preeminent importance of having a great bass player.
That is why I joined this group in the first place.
As a drummer, my colossal and continuing frustration remains the difficulty in finding an excellent bass player who I can lock with.
Assuming the time keeping "metronome" aspect has been satified, the most critical element a drummer can bring to the show is feel.
After getting Groovy, everything else is gravy.
As it is with perfect pitch or tone, perfect timing, with effortlessly natural feel, either he/she either has it, or simply does not, and will only ever just miss the boat, no matter how much he or she tries, practices and takes lessons.
Students and professionals certainly get far better with years of hard work, but nothing beats being born with these gifts.
If you follow drummers like Keith Carlock, Steve Gadd, Clyde Stubblefield, Billy Cobham, and obviously there are quite a few others who consistently spoil us with their flawlessly restrained virtuosity in delivering a most soulfully appropriate feel to what ever the song requires.
But then, a hoard of pretenders (many are famous) with incredible speed and skills try to out-do each other, but sadly end up ruining so many otherwise potentially great performances.
I have declined invitations to stay and play further sessions - all due to one major reason, the lack of a similarly minded rhythm section partner, namely a bass player to lock step to.
Where is there a budding Jaco Pastorius when I need him/her?
Has anyone listened to the group, Tortured Soul?
That drummer has a superb yet simple soulful feel.
A few years ago, I was helping a buddy set up our display booth area at a huge drum show, and the place was filled with all the big and small name brands from all over the world,
The balance of the participants were drummers or drum related purchasers.
Clinics (several) were given by some famous drummers, drum sets were being played everywhere you looked, but a friend of mine (a Brooklyn church based-drummer) sat down and played a bit, and you could see heads turning any direction you looked, because he has the MOST killer pocket!!!
People actually started dancing because of the feel.
He did not play ANY FILLS, just the HH, snare and kick!
I need at least a drummer who can keep constant tempo and consistent groove. Played with drummer who speeds up before and also drummer who does fancy different groove every new verse/chorus. Really hard to get my bassline sync up with them. Simple consistent drummer triumphs fancy ones who throws 32nd fills or complex syncopation anytime.
Nope.
The absolute most important thing in any band is the lead guitarist. Just ask one!
The absolute most important thing in any band is the lead guitarist. Just ask one!
True but........
The drummer is the skeleton of a band.... in my opinion anyway.
I was once fortunate enough to be in a band with my favourite local drummer. He is/was the "Charlie Watts" of my town. Nothing over the top, just ALWAYS on beat and knew when and how to hit heavy when appropriate. Standard 4 piece kit. One crash, crash/ride, and high-hats.. No extra flair. A living, breathing human metronome. He eventually had to bow out, after 2 years of playing together for personal reasons, so we (the band) collectively agreed to find a replacement. The drummer we got was good, though he didn't "replace" the missing element of the band. The bottom fell out and our band called it quits after a few months of trying.
Yes. Drummers are very important. Absolutely. Hardest working person on the stage imo... Physically & mentally.... Not to mention stamina that I could only dream of. I give a lot of praise to them, as there's no finer feeling (musically) than locking in with the right drummer for the job. It doesn't get better than that.
All firing the drummer jokes aside.
Yes. Drummers are very important. Absolutely. Hardest working person on the stage imo... Physically & mentally.... Not to mention stamina that I could only dream of. I give a lot of praise to them, as there's no finer feeling (musically) than locking in with the right drummer for the job. It doesn't get better than that.
All firing the drummer jokes aside.
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