Is adhering to the kick drum pattern admired?

[drumvsbass]

So many people talk about playing what the bass drum plays.
Whats even sweeter is when the bass drum plays what you play.
Know the difference.

 

[chuck1073]

....and that's made that much sweeter by a longstanding, musical relationship between the bassist and drummer.

 

[John Le Guyader]

Phil Lesh…often omits the one...

 

[dab12ax7ef]

Most of the time it’s better to lock it than not. It depends on the style of course.

I’ve lost interest in indie rock style (in general) because most of it is bass riffs that have nothing to do with the drum pattern. It’s just my silly observation. Stuff like gospel and fusion often have complicated bass lines that lock both lock with drums and sometimes counter them. Motown famously has complicated bass and simple drums, which is why so many of us love it. Modern rock, pop, country, worship music is going sound best locked in (in general).
I’d like to hear others chime in on the stylistic nuances for other styles. Do you consider walking jazz locked in? I guess not...?

 

[JimmyM]

I do stay out of their way. That's my job. As my tag says, "I'm not an artist, I'm in the service business." (And I actually do play in quite a few places where the bass drum doesn't.) As I've posted elsewhere, and I suspect you might agree, I don't want to be told I'm a great bass player. I want to be told the band sounded great and everybody had a real good time.

I'm in it for myself

Is that what it implies? I always understood it to mean that regardless of whether you’re playing the same rhythmic pattern or not you were both on the same pulse and in sync. Having good time is not synonymous with having good feel. I know lots of guys who can effortlessly play with a metronome but can’t groove their way out of a bucket.

I said keep GOOD time, not just keep time.

 

[wes stephenson]

Most of the time it’s better to lock it than not. It depends on the style of course.

I’ve lost interest in indie rock style (in general) because most of it is bass riffs that have nothing to do with the drum pattern. It’s just my silly observation. Stuff like gospel and fusion often have complicated bass lines that lock both lock with drums and sometimes counter them. Motown famously has complicated bass and simple drums, which is why so many of us love it. Modern rock, pop, country, worship music is going sound best locked in (in general).
I’d like to hear others chime in on the stylistic nuances for other styles. Do you consider walking jazz locked in? I guess not...?

Of course walking lines are locked! Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen were as locked as it gets!

 

[dab12ax7ef]

Of course walking lines are locked! Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen were as locked as you get!

Very true, locked in doesn’t have to me playing kick and bass at the same time. And Ray Brown certainly was killer!

 

[IamGroot]

 

[dennis james]

cool

 

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

So many posts and not a word about using an expensive bass, expensive amp, effects, spending time choosing strings, setup, finding your tone etc etc, just to have it buried behind a bass drum.

 

[bolophonic]

Why is everyone calling it a “kick” drum? Is everyone on here a soundman all of a sudden?

 

[Ekulati]

Occasionally I'll set in with a drummer that knows what he's doing and gives a repeatable kick pattern that I can lock in and that's when the magic happens and

This kind of thing is one of many qualities that separates pro level players from everyone else who just has some chops and an instrument. The ability to create something and then repeat it, refine it, etc. so it contributes to the artistic whole, rather than "Listen to how great I can play" is critical. Well, if you want to be known as more than a cargo shorts wearing hack.

 

[inthebassclef]

If you want pocket

 

[trailer]

However, quite a few people say that this rigid pocket is often a signature of a novice bassist

Anyone who says that still has a few things to learn.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Why is everyone calling it a “kick” drum? Is everyone on here a soundman all of a sudden?

Very interesting indeed.
"The bass drum (also known as the "kick drum") provides a regular but often-varied foundation to the rhythm."

Let's see.
"Follow the bass drum."
"I can't follow it because it's going NOWHERE. It's stationary."drool

Follow the drum kick pedal???

 

[Wood and Wire]

Why is everyone calling it a “kick” drum? Is everyone on here a soundman all of a sudden?

Because most of us aren't playing in marching bands

 

[Sid s]

Frankie Goes To Hollywood had several songs where the drum/bass interaction was very catchy. Mostly fake, but very catchy.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Whats even sweeter is when the bass drum plays what you play.
Know the difference.

Very interesting indeed.
Are you saying that the drummer must follow the bass player's "I-play-random-notes-phrases/anything-I-want" impromptu bass lines?

 

[micguy]

Which song?

Look to the Son

 

[Wood and Wire]

I get so angry playing with rock drummers, when they're just completely incapable of even thinking like this.

Why are you even playing in a rock band?

Do you even like rock music?

Have you ever actually listened to what Baker / Bonham / Moon / Mitchell / Ward are doing?

It's not even as if they stopped making great rock drummers in the 70's, or the 90's for that matter.

Why do you even play the drums at all?

I despair!