Is this a compliment?

[Jamvan]

So I've had the opportunity to hook up with a couple seasoned players whom I respect for an employee "band" for a work event; specifically a guitarist and a drummer. I really respect the drummer who is well known and well used in the area. After our second practice last week, he told me that I'm incredibly easy to play with. He's a great drummer with good time and a nice pocket for me to play in. I consider my style aggressively conservative in that I play hard but my focus has always been on timing and note choice (I'm not a wanker). I figure, if it's good enough for a pro to play and record it, who am I to think I can improve it? Regardless, I've found myself thinking about it and wondering, what exactly does being easy to play with mean?

 

[dbbltime]

I would take it as a compliment. I'm a glass is half full type.

 

[Medford Bassman]

It's a compliment. I've run into so many "difficult musicians" to play with over the years it's not even funny. When the musicians are low stress it makes the music shine.

 

[mrcbass]

So I've had the opportunity to hook up with a couple seasoned players whom I respect for an employee "band" for a work event; specifically a guitarist and a drummer. I really respect the drummer who is well known and well used in the area. After our second practice last week, he told me that I'm incredibly easy to play with. He's a great drummer with good time and a nice pocket for me to play in. I consider my style aggressively conservative in that I play hard but my focus has always been on timing and note choice (I'm not a wanker). I figure, if it's good enough for a pro to play and record it, who am I to think I can improve it? Regardless, I've found myself thinking about it and wondering, what exactly does being easy to play with mean?

Absolutely take it as a compliment. I would interpret that as: "I don't have to babysit you or chase you around because you know how play in my pocket. Because of this, I'm not forced to just keep a beat, but can enjoy playing the song."

As you know, the dance between a bass player and drummer is crucial and good dancers appreciate good partners....

 

[loveandbass]

thats definitely a compliment

 

[Stumbo]

Ask the drummer "how can I improve?".

 

[Jamvan]

Ask the drummer "how can I improve?".

That's a great suggestion!

 

[Oddly]

Absolutely a compliment. Keep that guy.

 

[JohnDeereJack]

That's definitely a compliment...

 

[RustyAxe]

I've found myself thinking about it and wondering, what exactly does being easy to play with mean?

It's one of the best compliments ANY band member can give you, really. Especially the drummer. My drummer tells me the same nearly every gig (and especially if the band played with a sub on bass last gig), and I say the same to him. I can't imagine why any bassist would think it's anything but complimentary. It means you are "there" when he is, that you listen to what is going on (on the drums, in particular, and the band as a whole) and play accordingly

 

[JRA]

of course, it's a compliment! congratulations!

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I would take it as a compliment. I'm a glass is half full type.

Optimist: The glass is half full.
Pessimist: The glass is half empty.
Engineer: The glass is the wrong design for the application.

 

[Thumb n Fingers]

Absolutely a compliment, and a great one at that. He means you don't force him to change up anything, you don't throw him for loops, and you allow him to know exactly where he is in a song all the time without guessing. There may be no higher compliment.

 

[2saddleslab]

I'd take that as a compliment. Beats the alternative.

 

[Jamvan]

It's one of the best compliments ANY band member can give you, really. Especially the drummer. My drummer tells me the same nearly every gig (and especially if the band played with a sub on bass last gig), and I say the same to him. I can't imagine why any bassist would think it's anything but complimentary. It means you are "there" when he is, that you listen to what is going on (on the drums, in particular, and the band as a whole) and play accordingly

Yeah. I took it as one initially but as I usually do, I started to overthink it and began to wonder if maybe he was indicating that I'm a simple player. He's a great drummer and it's been fun to be able to play with him as the drummer in the main band I'm in doesn't have a pocket to put lint into. He's currently in a great local cover band but not playing drums; he's singing and comping some keyboard parts. He said it's a ton of fun to be sitting behind the kit again so maybe I found a rhythm section partner in crime? Time will tell.

 

[johnson79]

Being easy to play with is a huge compliment. Nice!

 

[interp]

Definitely a compliment. Being easy to play with is something that top professional players strive for.

 

[SLO Surfer]

Definitely a compliment!!! Unless you both have terrible time and are locking in that way...like two drunks stumbling down the sidewalk arm in arm.

Just kidding, it's a good thing!

 

[primusfan1989]

Definitely a compliment. I read it as he's saying he has no problem locking in with you.

 

[dbbltime]

Optimist: The glass is half full.
Pessimist: The glass is half empty.
Engineer: The glass is the wrong design for the application.

Was not meant as an analogy. Simply gave an opinion to the question, followed by an opinion of my general perception. Thanks for giving my opinions so much of your attention.