Setting Tempos

[LowNloud1]

My band has a problem with getting the tempos right on songs.

My rule of thumb has been: If you start the song before anyone else comes in, you are responsible to set the tempo. Unfortunately, the drummer is setting the majority of the tempos.

We are not professionals but it is embarrassing to start a song then have to speed it up or slow it down because the drummer set the wrong tempo. He is not the best drummer but replacing him is not an option at this point in time.

I've talked to one guy in a band who talked about "Click Tracks" but I think that would require a sound guy to send the signal and we aren't always able to have the same sound guy run our sound.

We are pretty low-tech and I am wondering if anyone may have a suggestion, idea or experience they can share if the had to tackle to help with my drummer problem.


Thanks.

 

[fdeck]

I've played some gigs in a ballroom dance band. Those dancers are really strict about tempos. The drummer had a metronome, and a tempo for each song written down. She counted off the tunes. Purists might scoff at the idea, but it worked.

I've also talked to my kids about setting tempos, and I tell them to sing the "interesting" part of the tune in their head, to get a feel for the tempo. For a rock band, that might be something like a vocal chorus.

 

[chungweishan]

My drummer once talked about using a metronome and a song list with BPMs, just to get a feel of what the tempo should be. His alternative was bring a music-player with all the songs loaded up and he'll listen to the beginning before playing. We don't do either though.

When I start a song, I usually do a test count with the drummer to see if that's a good tempo. I had problems with playing "Seven Nation Army" too slow because somehow I just think it's a slow plodding song when it really isn't. I once started the Red Hot Chili Pepper's version of "Higher Ground" with the tempo of Stevie Wonder's original.

 

[Stewie26]

This. It gives you a visual click and is less than $25 bucks. It will also store and memorize your songs.

Amazon.com: Korg MA1BL Visual Beat Counting Metronome - Blue: Musical Instruments

 

[Downunderwonder]

I've played some gigs in a ballroom dance band. Those dancers are really strict about tempos. The drummer had a metronome, and a tempo for each song written down. She counted off the tunes. Purists might scoff at the idea, but it worked.

I've also talked to my kids about setting tempos, and I tell them to sing the "interesting" part of the tune in their head, to get a feel for the tempo. For a rock band, that might be something like a vocal chorus.

works for me. Last gig drummer was counting in too fast and I had to wave him off. If I hadn't been doing the singing in my head thing I wouldn't have known until too late. No reason you can't do it for the band if drummer is clueless.

 

[elgecko]

I've played with drummers that used metronome apps on their phones with an earbud. They punch in the correct tempo then count off the tune.

 

[zontar]

My rule of thumb has been: If you start the song before anyone else comes in, you are responsible to set the tempo.

I agree--although when two or more start together there has to be another way to do it...

 

[BazzTard]

Every time the drummer starts with the wrong tempo,whack him over the head with your bass. He'll soon learn the right tempo.

But,seriously,a drummer who can't keep time is useless to you. Get rid of him or get used to being a less than professional outfit.

Have ONE jam with a good drummer and you will immediately see how much this drummer is holding you back,seriously,just one jam.

I say this from experience.My first band's drummer was woeful, for ten years I had to keep time,constantly making him play at the correct tempo.As soon as I joined a band with a good drummer, I was free to play my melodic basslines,not be the metronome.

 

[Imaginary Pony]

You're the bass player, you should just do this...

 

[RobBottom69]

Every time the drummer starts with the wrong tempo,whack him over the head with your bass. He'll soon learn the right tempo.

But,seriously,a drummer who can't keep time is useless to you. Get rid of him or get used to being a less than professional outfit.

Have ONE jam with a good drummer and you will immediately see how much this drummer is holding you back,seriously,just one jam.

I say this from experience.My first band's drummer was woeful, for ten years I had to keep time,constantly making him play at the correct tempo.As soon as I joined a band with a good drummer, I was free to play my melodic basslines,not be the metronome.

^^^^^^ this!

I recently played with a couple decent drummers after playing with our singer who was the drummer the last couple years. I would describe it as going from treading water-trying not to drown, to doing an effortless breaststroke as you glide across the water.

 

[dreamadream99]

sing the "interesting" part of the tune in their head, to get a feel for the tempo

As a former band director, I agree with this method. Start singing the "signature" part of the song in your head. The hook. The cool part. Your favorite part. Then snap your fingers along to it. If your band is trained, there is eye contact and everyone is bobbing their head along with you. Then count it off.

 

[LowNloud1]

I've played some gigs in a ballroom dance band. Those dancers are really strict about tempos. The drummer had a metronome, and a tempo for each song written down. She counted off the tunes. Purists might scoff at the idea, but it worked.

I've also talked to my kids about setting tempos, and I tell them to sing the "interesting" part of the tune in their head, to get a feel for the tempo. For a rock band, that might be something like a vocal chorus.

Definitely will try this! Thanks.

 

[LowNloud1]

My drummer once talked about using a metronome and a song list with BPMs, just to get a feel of what the tempo should be. His alternative was bring a music-player with all the songs loaded up and he'll listen to the beginning before playing. We don't do either though.

When I start a song, I usually do a test count with the drummer to see if that's a good tempo. I had problems with playing "Seven Nation Army" too slow because somehow I just think it's a slow plodding song when it really isn't. I once started the Red Hot Chili Pepper's version of "Higher Ground" with the tempo of Stevie Wonder's original.

Another good idea if I could just get him to use it. Thanks!

 

[LowNloud1]

This. It gives you a visual click and is less than $25 bucks. It will also store and memorize your songs.

Amazon.com: Korg MA1BL Visual Beat Counting Metronome - Blue: Musical Instruments

I will look into it. I did offer to buy him one but he is in denial.....

 

[LowNloud1]

I've played with drummers that used metronome apps on their phones with an earbud. They punch in the correct tempo then count off the tune.

I'm gonna have to beg him to try this......again!

 

[LowNloud1]

Every time the drummer starts with the wrong tempo,whack him over the head with your bass. He'll soon learn the right tempo.

But,seriously,a drummer who can't keep time is useless to you. Get rid of him or get used to being a less than professional outfit.

Have ONE jam with a good drummer and you will immediately see how much this drummer is holding you back,seriously,just one jam.

I say this from experience.My first band's drummer was woeful, for ten years I had to keep time,constantly making him play at the correct tempo.As soon as I joined a band with a good drummer, I was free to play my melodic basslines,not be the metronome.

I've wanted to but I respect my bass too much! I could try standing behind him and hitting him with the headstock to the correct beat!

I know what you mean about a good drummer. Had one in another band that was a steady as they come. It was so good.

I think my drummer understands he is now the weakest link but instead of working on it, it's affectting his attitude, even though we've tried to be sensitive about it. He's in business with the lead singer and it would be awkward to replace him.

I have thought about setting up a metronome for him if he won't do it. Maybe it is time for me to step up if he won't.......

 

[LowNloud1]

As a former band director, I agree with this method. Start singing the "signature" part of the song in your head. The hook. The cool part. Your favorite part. Then snap your fingers along to it. If your band is trained, there is eye contact and everyone is bobbing their head along with you. Then count it off.

Agree. So far, that works after we start...to keep him steady. I suggested he think about the part of the song that gives him trouble, where he slows down because of the complexity of the beat to what it should be. 100% when he does.....when he does.....

As a bassist, I feel like I am trying to "pull" him into tempo. I find I feel really physically tired after a session of doing that.

 

[Ewo]

+1 to the suggestions above about getting a cheap visual metronome, and using it just as a help in getting the countoff right.

I wouldn't recommend trying to play to a click track all through a tune.

 

[Ewo]

Start singing the "signature" part of the song in your head. The hook. The cool part. Your favorite part. Then snap your fingers along to it. If your band is trained, there is eye contact and everyone is bobbing their head along with you. Then count it off.

I'm fortunate to be working with a drummer that has a good sense of tempo for counting off tunes.* On the tunes I start by myself, on bass, I use dreamadream's technique above to feel the tempo in my body before I start playing the intro.

And yeah, I learned it, long ago, from my high school band director!



* The weird thing, to me, is that in the past I've worked with a couple drummers that seemed to have no idea that the countoff was setting the tempo for the tune. They'd just click their sticks four times...then start playing in a completely different tempo. Whack.

 

[pbassjbass]

Make sure rehearsals are always at the correct tempo, it is stop and start over time if not. The metronome can be very valuable in this context. If you can reliably play at tempo in practice then the sing the hook should work pretty well (although I've always noticed a tendency for bands to rush a bit when the adrenaline kicks in)