|
Title: Writing drum parts Post by: drummer1202 on November 22, 2005, 06:09 AM So my band and I have been writing original songs for about 8 months. I struggle with finding the signatures sometimes. Our guitarist usually brings something in and I'll count it out. Sometimes I can find it quickly, sometimes it takes me a very long time. Part of the problem may be that I am really the only one with any understanding (and I don't have that much) of note values and time signatures - so riffs are written without any form in mind.
I really don't mind it because we are all new and do this for fun, so I hope I don't sound like I am complaining. But at the same time maybe there is an easier way to get through the process... Thank You for any thoughts. Title: Writing drum parts Post by: Jon E on November 22, 2005, 08:24 AM Writing drum parts with guitar players that:
A) Like to write in odd meter B) Don't even know they are writing in odd meter and C) Never play an odd-metered song the same way twice Can be frustrating at best. I suggest recording what he is playing so you can break it out as needed and scribe it (if you need to). Title: Writing drum parts Post by: felix on November 22, 2005, 08:44 AM Always good advice from Jon E. Yeah, there is really no point unless you are making some notes for yourself- if your band members are clueless then notation is just a drag *c'mon man, just feel it ::)*
But if they are willing to learn and you can all work together- cool beans. I have two theories when I write drum parts. 1.) Writing for the music 2.) Writing for soloing When I write for music it's all about groove and a slow building of progressions, following chord changes with cymbal crashes, lifting the music with rides and crash rides if needed, effects cymbals etc. I like a subtle approach myself and try not to disrupt the flow of the tune. If it is a more progressive tune then I will add some more elements of my 2nd approach. When I write for solos I like to really play the patterns well, over and over and I don't write them down unless they sound good *to me*. This is what makes us all unique as players. I try to make my solos build and not necessarily full of fireworks and chops- personally I like a subtle approach to my solos as well. I pretty much stick to what moves me as a player, and it is usually not a terribly complicated pattern. I just like to keep it smooth. I wish I would have taken this philosophy more as a younger player. Simple patterns/stickings well executed with clever displacement and a little bit of layering sound GREAT and they can also sound very complicated 8) Have fun ;D Title: Writing drum parts Post by: drummer1202 on December 01, 2005, 09:34 AM Thanks for the replies!
Good to know I'm not the only one. A funny story: I had lent my metronome to my guitarist. I got it back last night with the comment, "I couldn't really play along with it anyway." How telling... Funny that I am always being accused of speeding up, when I feel like I am always trying to catch up! Then in practice my guitarist was telling the bassist to play only the first 2 notes of a phrase while they were trying to work something out. What my guitarist was trying to get him to play was really 2 measures! ::) Our practices are always good for a few laughs!!! :D And Jon E - I took your suggestion about scribing to a recording and had my guitarist send me an mp3. It worked out much better. This may be the way that I write from now on! At least with all the variations in time / rhythm / tempo are consistent on the recording instead of changed every time through when it is being played over and over and over and over and..... ;) Title: Re:Writing drum parts Post by: optomagis on December 02, 2005, 08:28 AM get your mates to get lessons, or tell them about getting tabs from www.mysongbook.com (you need Guitar Pro Tab reader) and if a song has odd measures in it, GP will show you and your mates. As for getting quicker at it, just practice I guess... thats all I did.
Title: Writing drum parts Post by: drummer1202 on December 02, 2005, 08:52 AM Bass player started lessons a few weeks ago.
Guitarist is still resisting the idea. Can't force anyone! Things are definately much better than they were a few months ago when I was considering leaving the band. I'm still having fun with it so I hope I didn't sound like I was complaining too much. Just hoping to vent a little to an understanding group! B) Don't even know they are writing in odd meter See you guys understand ;) |