I've been on both sides of the fence throughout this thread... but given the additional background provided by the OP in post #19 I think it's time to launch the drummer and find an upgrade.
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Need some advice about my drummer.
- Thread starter easyvision
- Start date
Wow, that is so "me". I play at church, and I screw up during rehearsals, but I seem to always bring it around when we're live.
to expand on my post:
i wonder, what's at stake with your band?
are you doing covers and getting paid to the point that you need to learn more difficult songs for your audience? - if this is the case, then i guess you guys are pros and you really need to replace your drummer - or if you are Dream Theater and you are expected to have massive chops.
if that isnt the case, booting out your drummer isn't worth it - unless you hate his guts or can't work with him.
Firing band members you (or one of the other band members) share a friendship with isn't really worth the drama... it can only be justified when you are pros and there's money involved.
i suggest you go out and join another band (you can pirate some of your current bandmates) just so you can jam with another drummer.
this is all assuming you are close friends with the drummer, if not... then disregard everything i've said... fire the SOB. you wont mind if he hates you anyway
i wonder, what's at stake with your band?
are you doing covers and getting paid to the point that you need to learn more difficult songs for your audience? - if this is the case, then i guess you guys are pros and you really need to replace your drummer - or if you are Dream Theater and you are expected to have massive chops.
if that isnt the case, booting out your drummer isn't worth it - unless you hate his guts or can't work with him.
Firing band members you (or one of the other band members) share a friendship with isn't really worth the drama... it can only be justified when you are pros and there's money involved.
i suggest you go out and join another band (you can pirate some of your current bandmates) just so you can jam with another drummer.
this is all assuming you are close friends with the drummer, if not... then disregard everything i've said... fire the SOB. you wont mind if he hates you anyway
Never expect someone to improve as far as ability is concerned. If it's a matter of him learning the material, that's different.
Are you being too harsh? I can't say. Is this guy your buddy? Are you getting paid to play these gigs? How serious are you about your music? I personally can't let one person hold back a band, no matter what your history with that person is, unless you are resigned to never taking your music seriously.
It sounds like you know what you have to do. The hard part is finding the words to do it.
I just try to make it short and sweet. If you guys are friends, there might be some apologizing to do. Whatever you do, don't get into a discussion about it. It will go nowhere.
jive1
Commercial User
In those situations where you have a player who you hope will improve in time for the band to do well, I find that it won't work unless you give it at least a year. Getting a guy who never possessed the chops, and expecting them to get up to speed in 2-3 months isn't realistic. Even 6 months can be a stretch, even for guys with natural talent.
