I backline/teched for Kenny Washington on a gig. He was a very cool guy and while we were changeing heads he was talking about tuning, it was amazing, he was tuning top heads and bottom heads, and listening to how it affected the WHOLE kit. The resonance of each drum affects all the other drums. I wish more drummers could do this, it is, after all a musical instrument.
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What do you look for in a drummer?
- Thread starter AZslim
- Start date
I backline/teched for Kenny Washington on a gig. He was a very cool guy and while we were changeing heads he was talking about tuning, it was amazing, he was tuning top heads and bottom heads, and listening to how it affected the WHOLE kit. The resonance of each drum affects all the other drums. I wish more drummers could do this, it is, after all a musical instrument.
Good drummers are like pornography. I can't exactly define what makes a good drummer; I just know them when I hear them.
Another thing I look for is someone who isn't going to do constant annoying cymbal work. It's so obnoxious.
- Dec 13, 1999
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+1
Also I look for a drummer who Balances their kit well IE their Kick is Strong and the overall tone has Bottom to it.
Aj
I consider the term "locking in" to be a meaningless term. I much prefer the term "keeping good time." I come up with a part that sounds good with everyone, and I keep good time. I really don't care if it means I play right with the bass drum or plow right through it, I just try to play something that works well.
A drummer that isn't depressed over woman problems would be nice. But I guess this is better than the drunk guitarist problem.
Steady time
LISTENS to the rest of the band
Hears music as a whole, not just drum parts
Stays sober
Shows up on time and ready to play
Has good sounding drums, a great sounding snare, and know how to tune the things!
Plays drums and not just cymbals
Understands song structure (I hate drummers who put a fill every four bars regardless of what's going on musically)
Know that the groove is in the interplay between the hat and the snare
One kick drum because you can't play the hat correctly if your foot's on the kick drum
Feels the music
Has vehicle that'll haul the drum set
John
LISTENS to the rest of the band
Hears music as a whole, not just drum parts
Stays sober
Shows up on time and ready to play
Has good sounding drums, a great sounding snare, and know how to tune the things!
Plays drums and not just cymbals
Understands song structure (I hate drummers who put a fill every four bars regardless of what's going on musically)
Know that the groove is in the interplay between the hat and the snare
One kick drum because you can't play the hat correctly if your foot's on the kick drum
Feels the music
Has vehicle that'll haul the drum set
John
I only ask three things:
1) Start and stop where you're supposed to
2) Get the right tempo and stay there
And my biggest beef of all...
3) Control your volume/dynamics!
1) Start and stop where you're supposed to
2) Get the right tempo and stay there
And my biggest beef of all...
3) Control your volume/dynamics!
Rickett Customs
Commercial User
Other than these mandatory requirements:
Reliable transportation.
Several years of experience (gigging and playing).
Not a douchebag.
Leaves personal issues @ home or wherever they might have been.
Possesses at least 1 decent drum kit.
Has a fairly good memory.
Punctual, concerning practice and gigs.
And if all these requirements are met (man, I've weeded out about 75% or most drummers, didn't I?
Must not take all his queues from the guitarist, lock in with me, a very big peev for me......
Reliable transportation.
Several years of experience (gigging and playing).
Not a douchebag.
Leaves personal issues @ home or wherever they might have been.
Possesses at least 1 decent drum kit.
Has a fairly good memory.
Punctual, concerning practice and gigs.
And if all these requirements are met (man, I've weeded out about 75% or most drummers, didn't I?
Must not take all his queues from the guitarist, lock in with me, a very big peev for me......
Someone who can tune his drums. I also play drums and I find that this basic skill is lost on most drummers. If any of my kids want to play kit, I'll make them take off and retune the heads at least once a month.
I am fortunate to play with three excellent drummers... each of them having a very different approach even though they can play all the styles required by the music (reggae, roots/punk rock/jazz rock). One drummer plays very simply, but powerfully; another plays more like a good jazz drummer with more fills and flash; and the third sort of in between the first two... anyway, what makes them all excellent is their impeccable meter, supporting sense of pocket and ability to play dynamically, e.g. play quite to loud when the music calls for it.
Edit: I agree that "feel" is important too... feel for the style of music being played.
In this order:
1) Dynamics
2) Groove
3) Meter
4) Punctuality
5) General likability
But by far, Dynamics is my big thing with a drummer. SO many guys never learn how to play quietly.
1) Dynamics
2) Groove
3) Meter
4) Punctuality
5) General likability
But by far, Dynamics is my big thing with a drummer. SO many guys never learn how to play quietly.
I'm getting embarrassed as a drummer. You people are listing things
like:
Transportation
Show up to practice on time and sober
Keep time
Listen to the band
I've never considered myself a great drummer and these things to me are as basic as:
Bring a bass with at least 4 strings on it.
Tune your bass.
You know, things that you do before you really even start to learn your instrument.
OTH, now I know why I usually get the gig even though I don't consider myself that good.
Learning the bass is going to help my drumming sooooo much. Besides, I think it's going to be hoot to play. After I get through some of the tedious raw beginner crap, of course.
like:
Transportation
Show up to practice on time and sober
Keep time
Listen to the band
I've never considered myself a great drummer and these things to me are as basic as:
Bring a bass with at least 4 strings on it.
Tune your bass.
You know, things that you do before you really even start to learn your instrument.
OTH, now I know why I usually get the gig even though I don't consider myself that good.
Learning the bass is going to help my drumming sooooo much. Besides, I think it's going to be hoot to play. After I get through some of the tedious raw beginner crap, of course.
