Signaling the drummer when my hands are busy

[mambo4]

regardless of how long I've played with any drummer, or how well they know the material, i like to try to communicate dynamics as much as possible while playing the song....trying to find ways of signaling the upcoming changes, more so we know what each other is thinking.

there's a lot of hand signals that get used by band leaders: twirl your finger = "keep this part going"; pat your head = "go to the top", etc. But I'm playing and usually my hands are occupied.

So far I have only been able to come up with 2 visual cues for the drummer :
1.) raise my headstock up really high before the down beat
= "here comes a verse/chorus/bridge"
Alternately, it's just an eyebrow raise, if we know the song well.

2.) hunch down and low = "this is a quiet part"

has anybody used other visual signals that don't require a free hand?

I ask because #1 above is actually pretty vague..."here comes something!"
I wish I could somehow indicate that "something" is;
- a loud part
-a quiet part
-a dropout
etc...

 

[MX21]

I was thinking about the same thing this weekend. We played with a last minute sub drummer. He was really good, but didn't know where the stops or changes were and I also needed to indicate that this song should be faster or slower, etc., so I was reduced to nods or using my right hand really quick between notes. It will be interesting to see what others do.

 

[Audiophage]

Just avoid really goofy facial expressions as signals. Also, dynamics should be obvious from how quietly everyone else is playing.

Hand signs work best when I have to signal someone, though sometimes the headstock thing is more appropriate. If you know the music well enough, which you should if you're leading someone else through it, you can miss a few beats to signal someone without the music falling apart. You can work certain signals into your playing also, like certain fills to a certain section of a song.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

yeah, hand signals are hard when playing... I usually set up as close to the drummer as I can, usually on his high-hat side so we can 'communicate' well... Over the ears, I've found a raised eyebrow or gesturing a bit with my head works...

Now, in a really loud band, all bets are off - - I've found that *ROCK* drummers, with the frantic double-pedals & all tend to be oblivious to things like dynamics and groove (which is one reason I don't play that stuff anymore)... But it really depends on the drummer and your relationship with him. I try to buddy up to the drummer right off the bat, since we have to work together to sound good.

 

[PBass101]

1.) raise my headstock up really high before the down beat
2.) hunch down and low = "this is a quiet part"


Exactly what we do. Sometimes, to keep it more subtle, I'll simply tilt my head back for a sort of exaggerated nod to signal a change. Eye contact is a must. My thing is, if the drummer is looking at me, there are very few reasons why I shouldn't be looking back at him.

 

[CapnSev]

Loogie.

 

[MNAirHead]

Have your keyboard player (assuming you have one) do this.. they're much better ala Paul Schaeffer.

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OR go in ears (can be hard wired) and just put in closed microphones.

Tim

 

[Jazzdogg]

In my band lots of listening is required because none of us enjoy playing songs by rote; it's much more fulfilling to have a musical dialog with my band mates as we vary both harmonic and rhythmic aspects of each song to suit soloists and dancers.

On songs that are harmonically interesting, I usually listen to the drummer in a way that's almost subconscious, while focusing most of my attention on the keyboard player or rhythm guitarist; but if we're playing a song that's more of a dance groove, I like to *grok* the drummer while we watch the rumps shake on the dance floor and try to influence their behavior through our playing.

The drummer and I like to end every song deliberately and in unison; a glance is usually all it takes. Like BigOldHarry, I usually set up between the keyboard player and the drummer - something I got used to while playing in jazz combos. In addition to body language and hand signals, we do something in my band that works fairly well: we speak aloud; "Cha cha cha ending," or "repeat tag twice," "vamp on the one," or "after the bridge modulate to Eb." Doesn't work on large stages, but it's great on smaller stages.

If the drummer is rushing, I push my shoulders back while leaning backward, literally laying back. I'll also switch to a simpler, more emphatic, rhythmic pattern in an effort to signal a shift into a different gear. Sometimes playing conspicuously more staccato or legato is an effective way to signal a drummer. But, sometimes I just have to lean over and say, "You're rushing!"

 

[mambo4]

Sometimes, to keep it more subtle, I'll simply tilt my head back for a sort of exaggerated nod to signal a change.

I guess that's another one I use, too.

If the drummer is rushing, I push my shoulders back while leaning backward, literally laying back.

hmm..."lay back" that's a good one...I

Sometimes playing conspicuously more staccato or legato is an effective way to signal a drummer.

You can work certain signals into your playing also, like certain fills to a certain section of a song.

Working musical cues into my bass line I tend to do as well. I end the verses differently when going into a chorus etc...

 

[smithal3]

I raise my whole head up, like I am looking above him, while keeping eye contact to signal get louder and do the opposite to get quieter.

Those are the only two I use that haven't been mentioned so far.

 

[SteveC]

I ask because #1 above is actually pretty vague..."here comes something!"

One would hope that the drummer knows the tune well enough that he just needs a "hear comes that part we rehearsed" kind of reminder.

I tend to walk right up to my drummers (hat side) and get them to look at my right hand for things like tempo - I'll go to just playing quarter notes or eights or whatever is appropriate - to get us back on track. Sometimes I mouth/say/shout my intentions like you're dragging, stay on top, bridge, etc. Sometimes the "teacher stare" is enough.

 

[Gubna]

I heard about a conductor once who was able to conduct three different parts. one with the left, one with the right, and one with his head.

I think coming up with signs ahead of time is a good idea - something you can both agree on.

 

[Dkerwood]

I'll bounce the bass neck to show different things- sometimes it can mean tempo, but more often it means, "Punch these quarter notes!"

If I really want the drummer to pay attention to the rhythm I'm playing with my right hand, I lift my forearm off the lower bout, lower the neck a bit, and look at my right hand.

For a stop, I'll hit it by dropping the neck down, but then I'll take my hands completely off the bass (can't do it if your axe isn't well balanced). Obviously, if my hands aren't on the axe, it's a rest, right?

Oh, and I also do that stomp the foot bit often.

 

[Michael Henson]

In the praise and worship band that I'm in the drummer and I have been playing together for about 4 years. I've been the leader in it for the most part and have bounced between actually leading with vocals while playing guitar or just playing bass. When something is needing to be communicated most of the time I'll mouth it to him and the rest of the group or I've had enough practice signing with my right hand that I can do it without messing the song up...Here lately we've gotten to the point where I tell the whole band to follow him for the dynamics. He's pretty musical (plays keyboard and guitar in addition to the beatable things) so he does an awesome job dynamically...

In a nutshell, head nods, eye contact, hand signals, and mouthed instructions.

 

[Phalex]

We do it all with a glance!

There have been times that we've been playing and my drummer is trying to tell me something over the to of his Hi-Hat, and I can't hear a damn thing!

We do much better with eye contact and chin pointing that with any attempt at verbal cues!

 

[steveksux]

The search function is your friend. There has been a whole series of threads on how to signal your drummer when your hands are busy.

Signalling drummer when hands are busy

Randy

 

[Munjibunga]

I give my eyebrows a lick.

 

[GerManson]

i usually tell him with my bass.. i play a little fill, and he is smart enough to tell if we are going faster, slower, if i need him to give me a bass, i dont know really how it works.. but it does.

he is a very good musician.

 

[PJSShearer]

I learned to play with my left hand only leaving my Right hand free to conduct the Band.

This is also useful for turning the pages of charts, swigging beer, lighting cigarettes, picking my nose and attacting girlfriend's attention to buy me another beer ......

 

[Tom Howland]

Have your keyboard player (assuming you have one) do this.. they're much better ala Paul Schaeffer.

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OR go in ears (can be hard wired) and just put in closed microphones.

Tim

I agree.
Don't use your hands to signal. (If your the bass player.)
Head nods, or eye contact, maybe.
The drummer,should be aware of changes.
Chops, arn't everything.
Listening is a very big part of playing music.