What do you look for in a drummer?

[basseux]

I can play with a drum machine better than a Russian Dragon. I'd prefer both to neither. But groove means nothing without time. I'm not talking subtle shift of speeding up or slowing down. I am talking 5 or more bpm difference in a 4 bar phrase kind of bad time keeping.

Yes but if you were stuck on an island with that drummer and a metrome, it would be fixable.

You make someone hit the click for hours until he doesn't hear the clock anymore, or make him play to a metronome and you will see improvement.

Groove is really something else, i had a friend drummer that said it's a matter of how the track is produced.
He is a very stressed and un laidback person.
He denies there is a issue

 

[lokikallas]

Let’s me play bass without having to play conductor.

 

[drumvsbass]

Yes but if you were stuck on an island with that drummer and a metrome, it would be fixable. You make someone hit the click for hours until he doesn't hear the clock anymore, or make him play to a metronome and you will see improvement.

But the metronome would be better company than a drummer. So likely, I'd eat the drummer, and enjoy perfect timing, and in essence, perfect groove as it would all be my own.

 

[pepj]

You can't fix 'ignorance' or 'lazy' and nor should you even try.
Had the displeasure to have to sub for friends band which made a flat out refusal to do the gig by me, difficult.
But the drummer is clueless, totally non musical and lacking any semblance of time, let along groove. I garauntee he gives no thought or time to preparing for a gig, and if he does, thats makes the end result even more inexplicable.
Total life sucking experience in musical terms.
The kicker is they are going to throw 2 new dates at me that the new bass player can't do.

This is what poor drummers do.

 

[5StringBlues]

Having there main influences be willie big eyes smith, Sam lee, and Al Jackson junior couldn't hurt. sam lay.....

 

[buldog5151bass]

Good time (doesn't rush or slow down). Good ears (listens to other for changes). Good volume control (no Neanderthal bangers). All of that is more important than being a virtuoso.

 

[bwildt]

 

[mstillman]

I ask myself if they’ll be easy to fire. I got attached once and it was just a sad situation all around.

Did you NAME it?

 

[tshapiro]

Did you NAME it?

Lol

 

[teleharmonium]

First I see them play if I haven't already. Then I look for general common ground in musical styles and work ethic.
If they are still in the running I talk with them for about 5 minutes in person (about anything).
If they do more than about 55% of the talking, I know they are probably not a good fit. Every time I have ignored that test, I have regretted it.

This is for weird original material with no prospect of money to speak of, so the choices start out limited.

 

[DWBass]

Musicianship. Must have good meter and remember tempos. Super speedy is a no go for me. Ability to groove in the pocket. Ability to play soft when needed. Don't like constant bangers! Good ear who listens to the band instead of just banging away! Lastly...versatility. Can play different styles and not just 'rock'! Ugh!