"I can't use a click track 'cause it messes with my timing"

[long standing member]

Agreed, a better drummer would be the best, but there's nobody else available.

I'm the kind of guy who always practices with a metronome/drum track, so I can't relate to someone who can't/won't use one AT THE VERY LEAST at home when he's practicing.

Is there any kind of app that's like a game that would keep his attention? One that helps drummers keep time or that he could play with at home (maybe there's a fap to the beat app )?

Yes, I know that I am reaching into territory that belongs to irresponsible twits, but I'm starting to wonder about his level of commitment...

[ajaxlepinski]

Just checked YouTube... there are several vids for drummers who want to improve their timing.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk3eVDK1PPE[/youtube]

[Ostinato Rubato]

Fretless and I are auditioning drummers right now, but we have an mp3/wav player that we hook up to the PA and play our jams to the programmed drum track. That's better than a click but it's a similar animal in that there's no room for adjustments.

We're really used to it. It's just a matter of practice. If I'm being honest I think it's been beneficial to learn to play to a robodrummer. I play a little tighter than I used to.

[fretless]

Practicing with a metronome and playing to a click are 2 different things . I don't see how anyone could work out complex playing or even more simple playing without one.. for ex playing proper triplets without working those up with a metronome . Good fucking luck . Cutting up time will not be easy without first nailing it with a metronome , even pros still practice to one . Teachers teach to one and the everyday Jo drummer should be also .

[itchyfingers]

Q: What do you call a drummer who can't keep time?

A: Unemployed.



Seriously though, unless you guys are playing jazz, that sounds like a problem that can only be rectified with a replacement.

[long standing member]

Q: What do you call a drummer who can't keep time?

A: Unemployed.



Seriously though, unless you guys are playing jazz, that sounds like a problem that can only be rectified with a replacement.

I wish...........I'm going to send along alex's youtube, and see if he gets butthurt........

[long standing member]

Practicing with a metronome and playing to a click are 2 different things . I don't see how anyone could work out complex playing or even more simple playing without one.. for ex playing proper triplets without working those up with a metronome . Good fucking luck . Cutting up time will not be easy without first nailing it with a metronome , even pros still practice to one . Teachers teach to one and the everyday Jo drummer should be also .

I feel that always practicing with a metronome/drum track (for more personal entertainment) makes playing to a click track come natural.
On stage, we're not going to use a click track (although at this point I wish the drummer would).
But that gets back to my original gripe----I expect the drummer to be the one to keep time for the group and for us to follow him. When he fails at that, it gets real old real fast.

[ajaxlepinski]

Totally agree... everyone is supposed to follow the drummer for timing.
Who ever starts a song, sets the bpm, but once the drummer kicks in, everyone should be following the drummer's beat.
If the drummer starts following someone else's tempo, things will get bad real fast.


Be supportive and give your drummer encouragement.

[fretless]

I would never want to play to one live , I can see that would take some of the spirit out of it but some guys do , some pros do it to . IMO only the count off matters and sometimes a drummer can use a click just for the count off , like a "song starter " pedal or some such https://reverb.com/item/25857871-nady-n ... -100-black

it won't keep the band in time but it's a great way to keep things organized , especially if you have several tunes all at different BPM . Not many drummers can remember exact bmp's

[long standing member]

Be supportive and give your drummer encouragement.

You're a lot nicer than I am.
Also, he's a retired policeman (one of those dudes who start working at 21 y.o., and retire with a great pension at age 41), so I think I have some subconscious issues to deal with here.

I think I 'll buy some participation medals for him

[ajaxlepinski]

Be supportive and give your drummer encouragement.

You're a lot nicer than I am.
Also, he's a retired policeman (one of those dudes who start working at 21 y.o., and retire with a great pension at age 41), so I think I have some subconscious issues to deal with here.

I think I 'll buy some participation medals for him

Ha! Sounds like a guy who doesn't like to be told what to do unless you kick his ass!

[TurboPablo]

Have the bass player turn and face him at practice. That way he can lock into what is going on. I've always had good luck doing that when I play the drums. Tell the drummer to watch the bass players hands. If he can't maintain the pace by doing that, then fire him.

[long standing member]

I would never want to play to one live , I can see that would take some of the spirit out of it but some guys do , some pros do it to . IMO only the count off matters and sometimes a drummer can use a click just for the count off , like a "song starter " pedal or some such https://reverb.com/item/25857871-nady-n ... -100-black

it won't keep the band in time but it's a great way to keep things organized , especially if you have several tunes all at different BPM . Not many drummers can remember exact bmp's

I also wouldn't want to play one live, but if I could live with it.

The pedal would not work b/c the drummer keeps slowing down or (mostly) speeding up, and the count off only lasts a short while.

[fretless]

Have the bass player turn and face him at practice. That way he can lock into what is going on. I've always had good luck doing that when I play the drums. Tell the drummer to watch the bass players hands. If he can't maintain the pace by doing that, then fire him.

you make a very good point , communication is key . Most bands do this instinctively but it should be discussed and used to the best of your ability without looking too stupid on stage what is the body language for slow the fuck up ?

[GuitarBilly]

Fretless and I are auditioning drummers right now, but we have an mp3/wav player that we hook up to the PA and play our jams to the programmed drum track. That's better than a click but it's a similar animal in that there's no room for adjustments.

We're really used to it. It's just a matter of practice. If I'm being honest I think it's been beneficial to learn to play to a robodrummer. I play a little tighter than I used to.

Yeah I agree. Playing with the synth live has been really beneficial to my playing. I didn't have any serious timing issues before but doing this definitely tightened my playing up more.

A good exercise I do is I program the metronome to play for say 8 bars, then stop for another 8 bars, then play again.
So you have to keep perfect timing while the metronome is quiet or you will be way off when it comes back on. It's a great way to internalize timing.

[long standing member]

A good exercise I do is I program the metronome to play for say 8 bars, then stop for another 8 bars, then play again.
So you have to keep perfect timing while the metronome is quiet or you will be way off when it comes back on. It's a great way to internalize timing.

hmm, very interesting!!!!!!

[Ostinato Rubato]

Fretless and I are auditioning drummers right now, but we have an mp3/wav player that we hook up to the PA and play our jams to the programmed drum track. That's better than a click but it's a similar animal in that there's no room for adjustments.

We're really used to it. It's just a matter of practice. If I'm being honest I think it's been beneficial to learn to play to a robodrummer. I play a little tighter than I used to.

Yeah I agree. Playing with the synth live has been really beneficial to my playing. I didn't have any serious timing issues before but doing this definitely tightened my playing up more.

A good exercise I do is I program the metronome to play for say 8 bars, then stop for another 8 bars, then play again.
So you have to keep perfect timing while the metronome is quiet or you will be way off when it comes back on. It's a great way to internalize timing.

Excellent idea Billy. I think I'm gonna have to try that out.

[long standing member]

At the most recent practice, the drummer admitted that he has timing issues, and basically isn't willing to do anything about it.

In frustration, I suggested to him that he watch my hands to get an idea of where the beat is while we're playing a song. He thought that was a good idea.

So we had a show in a sports bar the other night .........

I just watched a short video, and I learned the following lessons:

1. Before I get up on stage with this drummer, I have to first put on wraparound very dark sunglasses, because you can see me constantly glaring at the drummer, trying to get him to stop speeding up the beat/fucking up the song.

2. As much as I fear the learning curve, I should really invest in a gat damn drum machine (any recommendations/apps?)

One other thing happened......somebody who I didn't recognize (and he certainly never was at practice) comes up on stage with us....I'm thinking "who is he?...is he the house sound guy?????"
He sits on a stool with a unplugged Strat in his hand. He was in front of a live mike, BTW.

Before I get to figure out WTF is going on, the band leader counts off our first song, so off we go! I'm confused/dazed, which is not the best thing in the world, since I carry guitar and vocals.

After our show, I find out later that Mr. Mystery band member is a friend of our drummer!!

It turns out that Mr. Mystery has cancer (he had a shaved head and didn't look so great), and our drummer thought it would be a great idea to put him on stage in order to cheer him up!
So I got to be part of the Make a Wish Foundation without even knowing!

Gotta love show biz!!!!!

(BTW, don't think that I am amused by what happened, I'm pissed!)

Moral of story:

Yes, I know....................................................................ditch the drummer!

[fretless]

Fuck that! Start the auditions

[Marc G]

WTF.... do he thought it would be cool to bring his friend up on stage without even talking to you guys first? yeah..... kick him out.. that's BS

[clipless bumper]

Fucked up, but it sounded like the band leader knew, and didn't think to tell you either. Might be time for a whole new band.....

[skybluegary]

Fuck that! Start the auditions

This!

Tbh, I wouldn't have made it as far a gig with someone like that.

[ajaxlepinski]

Let him watch the video of him speeding up.

[crankyrayhanky]

Who would want to sit on stage and not play?
Make a Nightmare

[long standing member]

Let him watch the video of him speeding up.

It doesn't matter. I'm the only one in the band that gives a shit.