How important do you consider a good drummer?

[Gearhead17]

In a tribute or cover band situation, a REALLY GOOD drummer is crucial to the success of the band and the ability of the audience to dance. You can get by with a REALLY GOOD drummer, decent singer and so-so guitar/bass players. A bad drummer brings EVERYONE down. It does not matter if you have Bono, Les Claypool, and Tony Iommi up there. A bad drummer will make everything they try to do sound like a train wreck.

Good timing, sensible fills that stay within the context and timing of the song, knowing where all transitions are and so on.... All of these qualities from a drummer will dramatically help the band stay on point and play the song as rehearsed.

 

[Odinbass]

A good drummer can make or break the musical side of things for a bassist.

My drummer is the weakest musician my band. His shifting tempo, sloppy fills, and ungroovy style drive me nuts. BUT - he does all the management work which makes him invaluable on the business end. We are stuck with him.

 

[73jbass]

The drummer should be the best musician in the band, no doubt about it.

 

[Richland123]

A good drummer is extremely important to have a tight band. I started out taking drum lessons as a kid and that was probably the best thing I could have done in my transition to playing bass. I count everything and have a metronome type of approach to timing. I have been very fortunate to have worked with some great drummers and we always worked on making sure the rhythm section was tight and solid and played together well. My last drummer used to play runs and accents with me on some parts while never losing his timing. Without a good drummer, the rest of the band and songs sound sloppy.

 

[mikeyjm2]

A good drummer is critical. Time, to me at least, is the most important aspect of music.

 

[antonspon]

I play in a blues-rock band, so a solid drummer is essential - I'd say no drummer is better than a bad drummer, and to be a good drummer in this style of music means to keep it simple and at an even tempo. My worst is trying to catch the eye of a drummer who is speeding up due to excitement, with his eyes shut and oblivious of the approaching train wreck when the guitarist tries to play his solo at double the usual speed!

 

[rtav]

I quit my last band after 2 years bc the drummer just didn't improve.

I stay with the other band I'm in (even though I don't listen to the music we play) is bc the drummer is incredible.

In a band situation, the only other musician who matters to me is the drummer and his or her abilities.

 

[ben_duck]

The better the drummer is, the better I sound.

 

[Marial]

My son has shown more than passing interest in the drums and I keep telling my wife that if the kid actually becomes a solid drummer he'll never be without a gig. She's still not happy about it.

A solid drummer is essential.

 

[bassliner50]

Gimme a real good drummer capable of a controlled light touch when you need it.

 

[SteveHeissner]

Without a great drummer and competent vocals a band is just mediocre at best and an awful abomination at its worst.

 

[Jloch86]

The people in your audience naturally know how to keep perfect time. They tap their foot, clap, bob their head, etc. When the drummer is not locked into that natural ability to keep time, it will subconsciously irritate the audience and you will not have an audience for much longer.

 

[Frank77]

Very. A band can only be as good as its weakest link, and if the weakest link is in charge of keeping time, it will suck.

 

[Thumper19605]

Every great bass player has a awesome drummer making him sound even better.
Flea for example on their new album, The bass drum patterns make a bass player play better.
I quit two bands due to drummers, one was timing, the other was too loud to play anywhere other than a stadium.
My currant drummer also plays bass and is one of the best I ever played with, he plays for the tune not for the look at me thing.

 

[Wolfenstein666]

Absolutely vital. Once you play with a good drummer you can spot a poor one extremely quickly.

 

[edencab]

yup, had to bail on a band with a no-timing drummer......felt bad, good guy, and he was the guy who got us all together.....(I played sax for them, the bassist was really good, the git too).........you also need a good and organized singer or leader who can take charge during your jams/rehearsals....we spent waaaay too much studio time figuring out who knew what song and what to play next......

 

[gln1955]

Play with a bad drummer for a while and you'll never ask this question again.

 

[vegas532]

A great drummer can hide a band of amateurish players, however, it does not work the other way around. If you have an awesome vocalist, shredding guitarists, and an amazing bassist but the drummer is bad, you will have a train wreck of a band!

 

[blocka]

I don't think you realise how important a good drummer is until you play with a bad one or your drummer has an off night, I find myself locking in with the drums subconsciously and occasionally I the drummer is having an off day ill notice we're both out of time.

 

[JJR58]

I was once in a band with a mediocre drummer at best, long story.
When the guitarist told me i had to be the one to keep the beat and lock it in so the drummer could follow, well, you can guess the rest.

I eventually left the band.