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Tempo issue

trackskinz

trackskinz

Nov 1, 2011
161
28
#1
We are a cover band, very diverse set list. Some songs are started by me, some by the drummer, some by a lone guitar, etc. We seem to have a bad habit of playing some of our songs too slow, and it comes across as a lack of stage energy.

I believe it is both my and the drummers job to establish and maintain tempo, but it seems like I am the only one who notices it. I generally just go with it, because it would seem weird to speed up a song mid verse or whatever. Obviously the proper solution is to start it right, but what advise do guys have for me? At times I have tried to push the tempo up a bit but it doesnt seem to work.
 
#3
Most cover bands play songs too fast. If your band is playing things on the slow side, well that's not typically what one hears. Typical problem for many bands is drag the groove and rush the fills.

Never try to single-handedly push the tempo, that's is rushing and it is a groove killer. Your job is to support the groove, not enforce it.

Record the band, many times what you perceive in battle as too slow, is actually good. Relaxed and powerful trumps nervous and rushed 365/24/7

If the drummer counts off tempos, perhaps have him try a metronome device where he can check tempos before counting. I know many drummers that do just that.

Talk about tempo issues off-stage, away from the audience.
 
#4
Just tell your drummer you think the tempo is dragging so you all can work on it. Song count in's can help to establish a tempo if you all are ok with that. Doesn't have to be a loud count in, just a quiet count in with snapping fingers for everyone to have a time reference at the start of the song.

Also, if dragging starts occurring mid song, you and the drummer both need to be listening while playing to correct that. Make eye contact and do a little head motion to signal "lets speed up!".
 
#7
It took a while to break our new drummer of the habit that everything should be played live at the same tempo as the original artist's recording. Not even the original artists do that.

+1 on listening to band recordings for a reality check. (I did this with a metronome to "Lonely Boy" by The Black Keys. It turned out THEY vary the tempo a bit...not sure it was intended (or at least I thought it would be better if they stayed consistent).

Resist the urge to fling something at the drummer or another bandmate when they say "Well, let's learn it at this tempo and then the adrenaline at a gig will boost it."
 
#8
Band I was just kicked out of tempo was a big issue...Songs would start out awesome, than slow down and become lifeless and unexciting.....I did my best to keep things going but the drummer would never follow...

Tried working with a metronome with this band, but that did not work out.
 
#9
We throw a programmable click on our drummer's iPhone. It allows us to program the BPMs of the entire set list and he can tab through them and count us off with a subtle tap or high hat count or whatever, even nodding the beat at me or the guitarist if we are starting. He has it all in his headphones, it's really cool. :)
 
#10
Blueszilla said:
Record the gigs. Play them back and point out your concern. Practice.
Click to expand...

we just did that in my band the other day and it was painfully obvious how bad we were.
they thought it was great
and that is why I am resigning.
when you have the proof right in front of you and it still isn't enough, it is time to move on.
OP-I totally feel your pain.
 
#12
trackskinz said:
I believe it is both my and the drummers job to establish and maintain tempo, but it seems like I am the only one who notices it. I generally just go with it, because it would seem weird to speed up a song mid verse or whatever. Obviously the proper solution is to start it right, but what advise do guys have for me?
Click to expand...

Your drummer is not listening to you. HE IS NOT LISTENING TO YOU!! Simple as that. I don't know the fix. You deal with it or you don't but he's making you sound like crap. The better you play, the worse you sound with a drummer like that.
 
#13
90dphillips said:
We throw a programmable click on our drummer's iPhone. It allows us to program the BPMs of the entire set list and he can tab through them and count us off with a subtle tap or high hat count or whatever, even nodding the beat at me or the guitarist if we are starting. He has it all in his headphones, it's really cool. :)
Click to expand...

+1

This is exactly what we do. Although he doesn't use headphones. It flashes the beat on his phone.
 
#15
trackskinz said:
We are a cover band, very diverse set list. Some songs are started by me, some by the drummer, some by a lone guitar, etc. We seem to have a bad habit of playing some of our songs too slow, and it comes across as a lack of stage energy.

I believe it is both my and the drummers job to establish and maintain tempo, but it seems like I am the only one who notices it. I generally just go with it, because it would seem weird to speed up a song mid verse or whatever. Obviously the proper solution is to start it right, but what advise do guys have for me? At times I have tried to push the tempo up a bit but it doesnt seem to work.
Click to expand...

First, find out who’s really the problem - play with a click and figure out who’s dragging or pushing, and start there (I bet it’s mostly the drummer).
 

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