Timing

[Mata Leao]

Drummer wasn't able to make rehearsal the other day but we continued with our regular schedule. Amazingly our timing was much better without the guy who keeps time. Essentially I was the keeper of the beats that day on my bass.
You think it's a bad sign that our timing was better without the drummer, hhhmmmmm?

 

[SteveCS]

Drummer wasn't able to make rehearsal the other day but we continued with our regular schedule. Amazingly our timing was much better without the guy who keeps time. Essentially I was the keeper of the beats that day on my bass.
You think it's a bad sign that our timing was better without the drummer, hhhmmmmm?

I guess, but things may not always be as they seem. How do you and the drummer play together? Is it an easy ride or a rocky road? Are you clear between you which one is the source of time, or are you so tight as to present the impression of a single source of time, or does it feel like you are pushing and pulling each other around? If you are a source of conflicted time or temporal tension when playing together, is it possible that the overall timing would be equally improved in your absence as it was in his?

Note that I'm not inferring anything about your or amyone else's timing, nor am I suggesting that what you say happened was not a real thing. Rather just trying to offer a few thoughts on where to look for a reason and possible solution, if one is required.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi Mata Leao

better without the drummer

Make your dream come true!

Do it yourself!

Don' t wait for someone else to do it! Ftd!


may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass

 

[Nephilymbass]

Drummer wasn't able to make rehearsal the other day but we continued with our regular schedule. Amazingly our timing was much better without the guy who keeps time. Essentially I was the keeper of the beats that day on my bass.
You think it's a bad sign that our timing was better without the drummer, hhhmmmmm?

To be honest depending on the drummer and style a lot of things come into play. I think dealing with the volume of the drums can cause people play too loud. Playing “hyped” can lead to tempo issues. Can be caused by a lot of things. Especially if the drummer is very physical (hard hitting) and they are focused more on the energy in their playing than their timing.

My originals band often does one song without drums per set. We’ll sneak in an acoustic ballad like this.
And my singer and I have done some cover gigs as a duet just like that also. So I’m used to playing with and without a drummer. With the full band I’m Normally the guy complaining about tempo Lol. But everyone is pretty cool about it I’ll just look at our drummer and give him a little hand signal or head nod and he’s nails it. I just try to not be a jerk about it.

 

[JRA]

You think it's a bad sign that our timing was better without the drummer, hhhmmmmm?

it depends. https://www.talkbass.com/members/stevecs.270182/ clued you in!

 

[IamGroot]

I had a very productive session with a guitarist when the drummer couldnt make it.

I told him to turn down and listen to metronome

I hope he has found a replacement bass player.

 

[JTE]

One factor that could be at play here is that with no drummer, so everyone was being more careful about time. Or perhaps the drummer keeps y'all in time and without the drums you wavered but stayed keyed to each other.

Thing is you describe the drummer as "... the one who keeps the time". But EVERYONE has that responsibility.
B.