I play bass in a church band, and my drummer has difficulty keeping time. He does okay untill he decides to do a roll then he rolls for a measure and a half instead of one or something similar. I try to stay on but the rest of the band will just fumble to keep with the drummer. So i look like the guy who's off. I've really simplified some of my bass lines to help him but it doesn't seem to help. How can I go about communicating to this guy how to stay on.
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How to keep a drummer on beat
- Thread starter mixmastermike
- Start date
i have this same problem with the drummer at my church. the R&B band that i play in has drummer that is awesome, but this one......smh. its like shes in her own world...
find a new drummer that can keep time. The drummer is soposed to be the on in the band that keeps everyone on track. I dial in with my drummer and the the guitarist can do whatever he wants.
Have him swallow a metronome?
My friend, this is the age old conundrum.
If that doesn't work, try it from the other end.
and this is what i love!!!! a drummer that can just groove out and hold the pocket down!!!!
So I gather that this is a hopeless situation. Nobody else wants to play the drums. Most people that attend service like better when it's just me and no drummer. GRRRR.
Have you spoken to the drummer about it? Record her and show her what you mean. Sometimes drummers simply do not know they got it wrong. Maybe talk about getting the drummer some lessons. It's easier to take from a teacher sometimes. Be nice. But be honest too.
I play with drummers of varying skills. I enjoy playing with the simple drummer who can swing, rock out and do a funk beat without messing up (he won't solo or do many fills but is solid as hell) as much as the degreed technical players. I have no tolerance for a guy who cannot keep a beat or does a fill and land on the wrong beat.
Why is it sociably acceptable for drummers to fumble after dramatic rolls, go off time and hopefully recover to the delight of everyone while we must hold down time and make sure we don't hit any bum notes?
I would say you have two problems here:
1. Drummer. Talk with him/her and get them to understand what is happening. Maybe schedule a drum/bass clinic one night a week where you can groove out these issues. I also stomp my foot VERY animatedly when my drummer(s) begin wandering, to show them the road home.
2. The rest of the band. Tell them to knock it off. Following the drummer over the cliff just gets everybody killed. Let them know -- in a calm, collected manner -- what they SHOULD be doing.
1. Drummer. Talk with him/her and get them to understand what is happening. Maybe schedule a drum/bass clinic one night a week where you can groove out these issues. I also stomp my foot VERY animatedly when my drummer(s) begin wandering, to show them the road home.
2. The rest of the band. Tell them to knock it off. Following the drummer over the cliff just gets everybody killed. Let them know -- in a calm, collected manner -- what they SHOULD be doing.
Honestly, after 20+ years of constant gigging, I have realized that good time is instinsic...something a cat is born with. That said your guy can improve by practicing relentlessly to a click, and, by playing live to a click thru in-ear monitors. Not to be a downer, but there really isn't much you can do; its up to him to maximize his potential.
+1
Start with talking about how much better the drummer has gotten recently, you've really noticed, blah blah. Then bring up a metronome and lessons. Then casually talk about a metronome again.
Don't be too critical as you casually mention a metronome, but whatever you do, the primary metronome is to get her to practice with a metronome, no metronome the cost. One other thought: CLICK TRACK!
yeah, as a drummer first I gotta say some people will never get it. even if they did swallow a metronome.
those situations are annoying and I avoid them now at all costs.
those situations are annoying and I avoid them now at all costs.
Somewhere, there's a drummers forum filled with threads asking what they can do to keep their bassists in time.
Have you tried praying? I mean, you're there...just asking.
Have you tried praying? I mean, you're there...just asking.
- Oct 7, 2000
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was going to post + 1, but decided there are actually 2 things you can do:
1. get another drummer
2. live with it.
