Playing in church without a drummer...what to do...

[Bass-desires]

Hey Fellas, last Sunday was rough. Our drummer is out quite often and I end up playing alongside keys and an acoustic guitar. My problem and question is somewhat subjective, but overall, what is your recommended way to play without a drummer? I have also noticed I become the tempo anchor when the drummer is out.

Suggestions? Thanks guys!

 

[stratovani]

We've been playing without a drummer at our church since last Christmas, when our drummer and group leader had a disagreement which led to a falling out and our drummer quitting the band. We are now two acoustic guitars, a piano, a flute, several singers, and me on bass. I think it's working out just fine. Since our ex-drummer's playing was so restrained, we don't really miss him, and our timing hasn't suffered at all. I've always been of the opinion that time is everyone's responsibility, so everyone has picked up the slack, and our sound hasn't suffered at all. And our stage is a bit roomier now. We did have to drop "Little Drummer Boy" from last Christmas' setlist, though!

My advice would be to just keep going the way you are. As musicians you occupy a section of the sonic spectrum, and guitar, keys, and bass (and singers, I'm assuming) should cover it nicely. With the tempo anchor (I like that term!) of the drums gone, all instruments will have to cover for the missing drums, but if you're all the slightest bit competent musically then that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[tomersg]

IIRC i read that this was the reason for Larry graham to start slapping is bass. he played at the church with his mother and when the drummer was quit, he started to slap the bass to emulate the snare playing.

 

[progrmr]

mp3 drum tracks hooked into the PA or band in a box hooked into the PA.

Or just get along without the drums, but really IMO a band doesn't really sound complete w/o a drummer.

 

[stratovani]

Or just get along without the drums, but really IMO a band doesn't really sound complete w/o a drummer.

We play in a Catholic Church, and our music is softer and restrained, so we can get away with not having a drummer. On the other hand, I would imagine that if we played in an Evangelical Baptist Church, like the church James Brown played at in The Blues Brothers, a drummer would definitely be required!

 

[SteveC]

We've gone without a drummer but I don't like it. Something is missing. That said, like it or not you are the time keeper. You can also play slightly more complex lines - if appropriate - to help fill the space left by the lack of drums. It's more difficult on songs that rock out as my daughter says, so the group/worship leader may need to select music ore carefully.

 

[Chris K]

No drummer? You guys just don't know how blessed you are.

 

[christianharger]

Whenever our team is down a drummer I have the bassist simplify his parts. When there's no drummer it's far more important for the bass to be rhythmic and solid than melodic and all over the place.

 

[MNAirHead]

Call a teacher and get a referral...

Sounds like you may be a joint for a latin/multi guy... not trap kit.

I do this all the time... upright..

 

[rockstarbassist]

No drummer? You guys just don't know how blessed you are.

This.

One of the reasons I quit playing in my old church was b/c of the drummer.

 

[somedumbguy]

With regards to playing without a drummer, I found a few things need to be considered.

Typically, I play something which can groove with the drums, but without the drums, I need to simply my parts and play something which "mirrors" the guitar part. Also, stacato quarter and eighth notes can work well too. Little bass fills can also work wonders too every four measures as long as you clearly identify the downbeat.

 

[Crunktacular]

Isn't this how slap and pop was invented? Trying to compensate for a missing drummer?

I'm not saying you should funkify every song, especially in church. But you can get creative and mimic the drums a little.

 

[pedroims]

when our drummer can not make it our keyboard player use the drums from the keyboard.

 

[pjh2112]

Our drummer was out on sunday too. I just slept in

 

[bifbugie56]

We used a Boss 770 drum machine. Our worship leader/acoustic guitar player would
have the thing on a stand to stop and start the thing. The 770 had intro and outro
presets/fills which kept our timing down.

 

[David1234]

I enjoy my church music more when there's drums and bass, but when there's just me, I take on the main responsibility to keep time in check.

You can also:
- Play a little more staccato, so people feel the pulse more
- When you play longer notes, be careful to end them at a beat (so the rest between notes starts 'on time' and you're "playing the rests" in time)
- Accent the first beat of each bar a little more than usual
- Play simpler fills and lines and so as to keep them perfectly in time and very clear
- Remember than an in-time wrong note is almost a right note, but an out of time right note is not right at all!
- And have fun! Playing without drums is a bit like being single: sure you might miss the company but hey, the freedom's good, too!