Tightening things up

[Bullitt5135]

After listening to the recording of our list gig, it was really obvious to me where we can improve: playing songs at the correct tempo and giving each other better cues. A lot of this is common sense for experienced musicians, but it's also an "a-ha" moment for a weekend warrior band like us.

Last night at rehearsal, we tried some new stuff to help tighten things up:

• Since the drummer doesn't sing, his mic is now dedicated for talkback into our in-ear monitors only. He is responsible for calling out the next song on the list and using a lot more verbal cues throughout the song. This will also keep him from rambling to the crowd between songs.
• Drummer used a metronome between each song...just a few beats to imprint the tempo into his memory bank.
• In the past, songs with a naked guitar intro often start way off tempo. The drummer now counts in every song...either with a stick click or lightly tapping out the tempo on the hi-hat. His internal clock is a lot more accurate than the rest of us.
• I set up my iPhone with the Live BPM app so the drummer can monitor his meter better.
• Emphasized that it's everyone responsibility to lock in with the drummer's tempo, and not just get lost in their own part.
• With the drummer verbally cueing transitions and endings, we made a lot fewer mistakes caused by indecision.

The positive results were obvious and immediate. Everyone seemed more relaxed and dialed in since we weren't fighting the tempo and running away with things. The pocket was way fatter and the groove much deeper that ever before. The same songs we've been playing for three years were suddenly breathing better and really coming to life. Guitar solos were noticeably cleaner and more soulful. There was some minor grumbling about killing the flow between songs, but by the end of rehearsal, everyone agreed that the positives outweighed the negatives. It's also heartening to know everyone was able to put egos aside and pull in the same direction for the betterment of the band. If we can stick with it, I think it will really mark a step forward for the band.

 

[Killing Floor]

You may also consider firing the drummer.

 

[mrcbass]

After listening to the recording of our list gig, it was really obvious to me where we can improve: playing songs at the correct tempo and giving each other better cues. A lot of this is common sense for experienced musicians, but it's also an "a-ha" moment for a weekend warrior band like us.

Last night at rehearsal, we tried some new stuff to help tighten things up:

• Since the drummer doesn't sing, his mic is now dedicated for talkback into our in-ear monitors only. He is responsible for calling out the next song on the list and using a lot more verbal cues throughout the song. This will also keep him from rambling to the crowd between songs.
• Drummer used a metronome between each song...just a few beats to imprint the tempo into his memory bank.
• In the past, songs with a naked guitar intro often start way off tempo. The drummer now counts in every song...either with a stick click or lightly tapping out the tempo on the hi-hat. His internal clock is a lot more accurate than the rest of us.
• I set up my iPhone with the Live BPM app so the drummer can monitor his meter better.
• Emphasized that it's everyone responsibility to lock in with the drummer's tempo, and not just get lost in their own part.
• With the drummer verbally cueing transitions and endings, we made a lot fewer mistakes caused by indecision.

The positive results were obvious and immediate. Everyone seemed more relaxed and dialed in since we weren't fighting the tempo and running away with things. The pocket was way fatter and the groove much deeper that ever before. The same songs we've been playing for three years were suddenly breathing better and really coming to life. Guitar solos were noticeably cleaner and more soulful. There was some minor grumbling about killing the flow between songs, but by the end of rehearsal, everyone agreed that the positives outweighed the negatives. It's also heartening to know everyone was able to put egos aside and pull in the same direction for the betterment of the band. If we can stick with it, I think it will really mark a step forward for the band.

Awesome. In one of my newer projects, we have a guitar player who's never gigged - his first one is this Saturday. We've all been working with him to build his confidence and offer advise. He's been having trouble ramping into solos on time (typically about a measure late sometimes) and I advised him to be practicing the way he ramps into solos at home. He hadn't been doing any boost pedal work at home. I told him there are a lot of things that go into doing a show besides learning the parts and they are all important. We often don't realize all the little things we do on stage that require attention beyond the musical parts. Glad you guys figured out a way to fix your flow. Recording (and listening to!) stuff is one of the best ways to review group issues.

 

[Low-End Steve]

After listening to the recording of our list gig, it was really obvious to me where we can improve: playing songs at the correct tempo and giving each other better cues. A lot of this is common sense for experienced musicians, but it's also an "a-ha" moment for a weekend warrior band like us.

Last night at rehearsal, we tried some new stuff to help tighten things up:

• Since the drummer doesn't sing, his mic is now dedicated for talkback into our in-ear monitors only. He is responsible for calling out the next song on the list and using a lot more verbal cues throughout the song. This will also keep him from rambling to the crowd between songs.
• Drummer used a metronome between each song...just a few beats to imprint the tempo into his memory bank.
• In the past, songs with a naked guitar intro often start way off tempo. The drummer now counts in every song...either with a stick click or lightly tapping out the tempo on the hi-hat. His internal clock is a lot more accurate than the rest of us.
• I set up my iPhone with the Live BPM app so the drummer can monitor his meter better.
• Emphasized that it's everyone responsibility to lock in with the drummer's tempo, and not just get lost in their own part.
• With the drummer verbally cueing transitions and endings, we made a lot fewer mistakes caused by indecision.

The positive results were obvious and immediate. Everyone seemed more relaxed and dialed in since we weren't fighting the tempo and running away with things. The pocket was way fatter and the groove much deeper that ever before. The same songs we've been playing for three years were suddenly breathing better and really coming to life. Guitar solos were noticeably cleaner and more soulful. There was some minor grumbling about killing the flow between songs, but by the end of rehearsal, everyone agreed that the positives outweighed the negatives. It's also heartening to know everyone was able to put egos aside and pull in the same direction for the betterment of the band. If we can stick with it, I think it will really mark a step forward for the band.

Glad to hear the approach is working for you. My band is relatively new (3 gigs so far) and we just started doing the same thing. Last week, we listened to the recording from our last gig. Three members were out of town, so the remaining three met and took notes that we shared in our group chat and in person with the whole group at last night's rehearsal. We used the notes as a starting point to work through the songs that need the most work. I was careful to say that we were not criticizing anyone's playing, but to look at arrangements, timing, endings, etc. There was good buy-in and we made a lot of progress. The drummer mentioned trying to use a metronome (he sometimes speeds up in parts where he sings backup), so I'm glad to hear someone else doing it too. Thanks for the Live BPM tip---I just suggested it to him.

Good luck!

 

[Bullitt5135]

Yes, recording our gigs is very beneficial. The downside is that I spend as much or more time mixing the show down in my DAW as I spent playing the show. That being said, it's hobby and I enjoy it.

 

[turf3]

Calling Archie Bell, calling Archie Bell, calling Archie Bell and the Drells from Houston, Texas!

 

[Parzival]

Yes, recording our gigs is very beneficial. The downside is that I spend as much or more time mixing the show down in my DAW as I spent playing the show. That being said, it's hobby and I enjoy it.

Love getting to hear a playback of a gig. Lets you really know areas you can improve. The last two gigs that had some recordings, I heard a few things to pay attention to, but I was quite surprised that it actually sounded better than I thought it did when I was actually playing the gig.

 

[EdO.]

...there are a lot of things that go into doing a show besides learning the parts and they are all important. We often don't realize all the little things we do on stage that require attention beyond the musical parts.

1) A lot of people don't want to hear "use a click track" to keep your tempo steady. "It's makes us sound too mechanical", "I don't need a metronome, I'm my own metronome" etc etc. A good drummer can stay with a click track/metronome without things becoming "mechanical sounding". Say what you want - when a band doesn't rush things, doesn't drag things, is steady throughout the song, tune after tune, it just comes off as both sounding tighter, more professional, AND as stated by the OP, it makes everyone relax more because they're all playing together as opposed to fighting the tempo. I can assure you that probably 9 out of the 10 "best" bands in your area are using a click track or some other similar tempo management. If you've never used a click it can be a bit off putting initially but once you get used to it it's amazing how much more smoothly things go and how easy it is to adjust to using one. Lack of steady tempo just plain comes off as amateur.

2) Who's in charge of setting the beat/tempo? THE FREAKING DRUMMER IS! Everyone should be FOLLOWING THE DRUMMER, NOT the guitar player etc. If he's changing tempo everyone need to be going with him, otherwise it starts sounding like pretty quickly. Pro/upper level bands play to a steady tempo and they FOLLOW the tempo the drummer sets. Period.

3) How do you know what you REALLY sound like to an audience if you don't record your shows and/or rehearsals? Taking a recording feed off most modern mixers is very simple to do and the results will pay huge dividends once you actually know what you sound like, how tight together everyone is playing, where mistakes are being made etc. If you're really interested is making things as tight and as "correct" as possible, you have to record and review. Don't assume.

 

[Low End Scum]

• Drummer used a metronome between each song...just a few beats to imprint the tempo into his memory bank.
• In the past, songs with a naked guitar intro often start way off tempo. The drummer now counts in every song...either with a stick click or lightly tapping out the tempo on the hi-hat. His internal clock is a lot more accurate than the rest of us.
• Emphasized that it's everyone responsibility to lock in with the drummer's tempo, and not just get lost in their own part.
• There was some minor grumbling about killing the flow between songs, but by the end of rehearsal, everyone agreed that the positives outweighed the negatives.

This is all so helpful. Then just drilling it and getting used to it. Hopefully the "guitar only" intro songs will get to be familiar enough with the guitarist that they can just do it. That said, a little assistance from a drummer with a metronome giving them that little imprint to start is hardly an egregious crutch. Points 3 and 4 though I could get tattoo'd on me because they pop up everywhere in my life. I've been trying to get my guys to understand that if they are speeding up in an exciting part of the song or solo that the drummer doesn't need to match them, they need to recognize they're rushing and get back on tempo.

The flow thing is such a cliche to me that I can't help but roll my eyes every time a band I'm in brings that up. "It's too mechanical dude, that's not Rock and Roll". For whatever reason people think that they're Phish or the Grateful Dead, and that they've got some 6 sense of "vibe" that just speaks so much more than actually being on time with the music. If they were ever able to play perfect enough on a metronome that it actually felt mechanical I'd shut up and never bring it up again. They never are. I'm probably just biased and cynical though.

The real fun one was the first band I was in when I moved where I am now. "We can't use a metronome, Scum, it'll kill what makes it US!" - I can see how one could believe that if you never learn your guitar parts and have never finished singing an entire song the whole time I've been here. Sorry to tell you chief, but what makes us "US" is never staying on one tempo for a full 3 minute.

 

[pklima]

You have a drummer who learns the songs and knows where the transitions are, that's way ahead of a lot of bands already. "Imprinting" the correct tempo with a few bars of metronome is a really neat idea. Also might be the camel's nose under the tent when it comes to actually playing with a metronome, heh.

In a rock band, the drummer is basically the conductor by default, though better monitoring and IEMs might be making that more flexible than if you had lousy stage sound, the drummer might not be able to hear anybody else during the louder parts, so there really was no choice in the matter.

 

[Bullitt5135]

Last night was our second rehearsal using the new system. It's just so much easier getting songs off on the right foot. Instead of everybody stumbling around for the first few measures trying to lock into the same tempo, we are all a lot tighter from the start. The weird thing is adjusting to playing songs at the correct original recorded tempo and not 10 BPM too fast – it seems like we're dragging when we are actually spot on. The drummer is verbally cueing transitions and endings, and it's much easier to smooth out the rough spots. At the end of practice, he was asking me if he could plug his iPhone into the mixer so he can use the metronome app for gigs too. Progress!

 

[basseux]

Shouldn't your drummer practice this at home ?
But that's good if you made him go into that.