I am in a band that has a gig comming up but our drummer has just quit. We do not have enough time to find a new one and teach him/her our set. So I pose the question, is it possible to play rock music without a drummer and still sound good?
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Playing Rock without a drummer?
- Thread starter Coeball
- Start date
It may sound good but it won't be rock.
Rock is defined by drums, a bass and a guitar.
You can achieve it through other ways but it's far from obvious.
If you do an acoustic set for example, you shall be fine.
Rock is defined by drums, a bass and a guitar.
You can achieve it through other ways but it's far from obvious.
If you do an acoustic set for example, you shall be fine.
Who says it's too late to get another drummer?
How involved are the arrangements. A good drummer used
to subbing should be able to jump in and get the job done with little advance notice.
How involved are the arrangements. A good drummer used
to subbing should be able to jump in and get the job done with little advance notice.
I would get a drum machine, and start programming it right away. Sure, it may seem a little cheesy, but not as much as no drummer at all.
Or, like mentioned before, turn it into an acoustic act.
Or, like mentioned before, turn it into an acoustic act.
I played a no-drummer gig last night with my originals band. The majority of our tunes are rock. The club doesn't allow drums due to volume concerns. After seeing and hearing the room, I had to agree. It's basically a concrete box, a good room for 2 guys w/acoustic guitars, not great for a full electric band. We did have our percussion guy, congas, bongos & handheld stuff, but he doesn't really enforce the groove, he's more of an embellishment. Our timing was pretty sloppy, and I missed having a drummer. Our rockitude was definitely impaired.
If you have no timing together without your drummer......you have no timing! 
We played as a drumerless trio for quite a while...... it can be done. Getting paid is a PITA though-it's easier to find work for two or four than for three.
If you've already booked the gig, either find a replacement or do it acoustic..... grab a bongo player if you have to. It might turn out to be a good thing in the end.
We played as a drumerless trio for quite a while...... it can be done. Getting paid is a PITA though-it's easier to find work for two or four than for three.
If you've already booked the gig, either find a replacement or do it acoustic..... grab a bongo player if you have to. It might turn out to be a good thing in the end
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