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How important do you consider a good drummer?
- Thread starter cantstoplt021
- Start date
People have probably died because of sloppy drum telegraphers in the jungle.
"I think that means they're going to attack us! Was that boom boom or boom baboom?"
"I think that means they're going to attack us! Was that boom boom or boom baboom?"
I agree with the guitarists. THE most important. Doesn't have to be amazing but the elemental beat has to be there and "in time" enough to be inviting for listeners.
wmhill
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- Aug 20, 2012
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I think the bass player is more important overall than the drummer. However I simply won't play with a bad drummer! 
The only thing I am surprised at is that the OP was surprised that musicians almost unanimously thought a good drummer was so important.
BassHouston
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- Jan 30, 2012
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I'm in a bar band with a guitarist who can't remember his leads and cues, a vocalist who can't follow his own notes and jumps or adds entire sections throwing the entire song off, and a rhythm guitar slightly better than beginner level. Honestly, most times I don't even let my friends know that I'm playing in their area. But the drummer is awesome and makes my down-the-line playing sound a lot better than it otherwise would. Tight, never wavers on time, has a sensational kit bag of fills, and is a good guy to boot. No matter how bad a show is he pulls it out of the fire. He's the only reason I stick around TBH.
Absolutely. My current band had a solid rock drummer who quit back in March. We now have a fantastic drummer who plays a variety of styles, can groove for days, and is an awesome guy to boot. 1000% improvement.
It's so important that Its not worth having a band if the drummer isn't any good. I can't find one that can keep time or know how to groove. Just hardcore showoffs. I'm thinking about getting a drum set myself. Since I love rhythm I think It would come easily. I figure bassist/drummers will always find work 
Drummers most important. Bassist second. Drummers keep time and lots of the cool stuff. Bassists play around the rhythm and groove with the drummer. The best bands don't have sloppy drummers or bassists.
Drummers most important. Bassist second. Drummers keep time and lots of the cool stuff. Bassists play around the rhythm and groove with the drummer. The best bands don't have sloppy drummers or bassists.
this is my personal number one pet peeve of all time.
since you asked...
-drums are the easiest instrument to play s****y; and hard to play well. a good drummer can take a POS kit and coax tone from it.
I have quit every band because of the drummers. in fact, I think I have a reputation around town as being hard to work with, but all I want is a quality drummer to work with. the problem is, there aren't many of them. the ones that are good are playing already.
I guess I am spoiled-I grew up playing with the finest drummer-my brother. he was a savant from an early age and he has the whole package and then some. he ruined me for all others. too bad because he has no interest in playing anymore.
drummers need to make the band play with them; they have to get some personal satisfaction out of laying down a rock solid foundation.
most are noisemakers to my ears and I would rather stay home than play with a bad one which is 95% of them.
since you asked...
-drums are the easiest instrument to play s****y; and hard to play well. a good drummer can take a POS kit and coax tone from it.
I have quit every band because of the drummers. in fact, I think I have a reputation around town as being hard to work with, but all I want is a quality drummer to work with. the problem is, there aren't many of them. the ones that are good are playing already.
I guess I am spoiled-I grew up playing with the finest drummer-my brother. he was a savant from an early age and he has the whole package and then some. he ruined me for all others. too bad because he has no interest in playing anymore.
drummers need to make the band play with them; they have to get some personal satisfaction out of laying down a rock solid foundation.
most are noisemakers to my ears and I would rather stay home than play with a bad one which is 95% of them.
Great drummers make playing bass easy. OTOH, some are certainly better than others.
There is also a bit of a cultural issue, IMO; because a lot of drummers grew up clapping on the 1 and 3, and quite simply don't know any better.
One thing I do when working with a drummer who hasn't quite got the pocket is make it clear that the ONLY thing I am listening to are their back beats; usually on the snare. That helps. The other thing is that when working with a less than solid drummer, you, as bass player, really have to simplify your lines.
There haven't been many drummers that I have not been able to work with; but, there were a few; you know, the guys who just want to pound.
There is also a bit of a cultural issue, IMO; because a lot of drummers grew up clapping on the 1 and 3, and quite simply don't know any better.
One thing I do when working with a drummer who hasn't quite got the pocket is make it clear that the ONLY thing I am listening to are their back beats; usually on the snare. That helps. The other thing is that when working with a less than solid drummer, you, as bass player, really have to simplify your lines.
There haven't been many drummers that I have not been able to work with; but, there were a few; you know, the guys who just want to pound.
Yeah - similar for me. My best friend from growing up was my drummer for years, and in addition to the telepathy we developed, he is really an incredible musician and drummer. After him I had to really re-set my expectations.
While learning some covers for the band, I was astounded that songs I had never heard before, if the drummer knew them, what I came up with on the spot was frequently nearly identical to the original recordings. A good drummer lets a bassist know which beats to emphasize and where to put accents.
