working with an inexperienced drummer

[Guild B301]

I had a situation once where the drummer had to be 'promoted' to rhythm guitarist. He used to play a nice digital kit, so it wasn't that much of a stretch moving to a high quality drum machine. I got to sharpen up my MIDI drum programming skills, and the band got to sound 1000% better. He was musically very creative as a drummer, but that only goes so far! As a guitarist fairly good at 'playing along' to the songs, as a drummer incapable of being the solid metronome that the band needed...

As a drummer professionally for decades, I almost take offense to the idea that a programmed drum machine can sound better than a real drummer. However, if he really stunk, a machine may be better.

 

[mikewalker]

It was much better. These were not just some patterns strung together, but rather hand-coded drum tracks, some even note-for-note transcriptions ( Like "Behind Blue Eyes" - which took several hours to perfect, and for me was an eye-opener...)

 

[jojo297]

I've also tried every trick in the book to get us to rehearse (even a little) with a metronome. Just gets me blank stares at best.

Hah! When I brought a metronome to a different band’s rehearsal in the past, they all said it was too distracting. I said “nice knowing y’all, but I’m gone”

 

[walksupright]

I was recently in a band with friends. We had a similar drummer issue and tried different remedies, many suggested here. But, basically, he didn’t put in the practice and didn’t improve, while the other members of the band walked on eggshells. While the hang was cool, the music suffered. We weren’t bad, but the drummer’s limitations made what I wanted to do musically very difficult. I felt stagnant and didn’t enjoy the band, leading to my amicable departure. They broke up shortly thereafter.

Take from this what you will.

 

[mstillman]

Put her up front as a singer. Then find a drummer who can play.

Assuming her voice is good enough and she's not robotic as a front, this is a damn good solution!

 

[Zbysek]

Ask her to practice and play with metronome...

 

[Tazziedevil]

I've found it useful when there are obvious, glaring issues with one person, but you can't/won't fire them to go around and everyone critique everyone else's playing.

It looks like this:

"What did we feel about Fred's guitar in the last song?" (People chime in)
"Ok, great. Let's try making those notes a little more staccato and see how that works."

"How did we feel about the bass?" (People chime in)
"Ok, no problem. I'll try and hit the downbeat of the change a little harder this time"

"What about the drumming?"
"Yep - let's try and make sure the tempo is solid during the vocal bits"

etc etc

 

[Shalto]

As a drummer professionally for decades, I almost take offense to the idea that a programmed drum machine can sound better than a real drummer. However, if he really stunk, a machine may be better.

I remember seeing a metal band at a local show once who had a drum machine rather than a drummer. Watching them into their song then stand still waiting for the machine to count them in was a bit awkward. As a drummer I'm biased though.

 

[joelns]

My daughter is learning to play drums. She's been at it about a year. There's a huge story into how it happened, but that's not for here. Anyway, I've been working with her. She practices with a metronome. She works on groove. She's taking lessons and her teacher is fabulous. We're working so that when she starts playing with others, she won't be "that" drummer.

 

[Ancientangler]

Hi. Just looking for thoughts on how to deal with a drummer who doesn't know how to lock in, or even listen to the bass lines. I've been playing since the 70's, as a serious "semi-pro" while always juggling a day job. After a two-year break, I decided to have some fun and joined an all-girl rock band last year - two guitars, drums, me on bass, all four vocals. Cool idea, given there are not any similar bands in our area. Three of us have been playing and gigging for decades, but the drummer is the best friend of the lead singer and has just begun learning the drums 4 yrs ago. She likes to sing, so her drumming takes a back seat and is always noticible to me. I constantly tell her to listen to me and lock onto my bass lines. She's open to the suggestions from me and the other guitarist who tells her not to sacrifice the drums during her vocals, but just doesn't get it. I'm always working harder in every single song because I realize I need to keep the tempo solid and add percussive tones to keep the song exciting. When she sings, the tempo can subtly be all over the place. Frustrating to me.
These gals are great people, but since the drummer is good friends with the lead singer I don't want to stir up trouble... after all, this is just for fun locally and a few surrounding cities. I'm looking for suggestions on how to deal with this situation...?? Yes it's for fun, but I do have somewhat of a reputation in the area that I'd like to keep. As you all can feel, this COVID issue has put a huge damper on shopping around for new bandmates, or I'd just start another band of my own. Thanks for your thoughts!

How's her drumming when she's NOT singing? Does it magically switch to "much better"?

Separate question: Ask her who some of her favorite drummers are.