jokerjkny
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« on: December 02, 2004, 03:20 PM » |
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I think we already had a thread like this...
but I was talking with a friend, and we were wondering who usually on pro tours does the music directing ala Buddy, and to our surprise, there are MANY drummers who are the main gents, ala Gerald Heyward on Mary J. Blige's recent tours, and Andrew Small on Kylie Minogue's last tour.
anyone else?
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Roger Beverage
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« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2004, 03:59 PM » |
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My band is not a pro touring band as such but I do the honors except when both hands are otherwise busy and the 1st alto conducts fermatas and endings.
Roger
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Mister Acrolite
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« Reply #2 on: December 02, 2004, 08:10 PM » |
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It makes a lot of sense - drummers are typically centrally located on stage, and usually start and end each song, conducting the endings with a big crash or whatever.
We have an MD in my band, but the band still watches me for endings, and I start a lot of the tunes. I also call a lot of cues to the horn section, since they're right next to me.
I think a good drummer can really serve as a conductor for a band.
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I just found out most of the recordings I'm on were actually played by Bernard Purdie. my drummerworld page |
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Terry
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« Reply #3 on: December 02, 2004, 08:29 PM » |
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Most of the bands I play for usually looked to the drummer for the start and stop. As you said, they all have a clear shot of you and you can let them know at a glance when your ending a number. The only time they changed was when some one was in trouble, needed to stop short, then that person let us know with a simple turn. Reed, string, etc.
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Dave Heim
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« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2004, 08:35 PM » |
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I share the count-offs and endings with the lead trumpet player. He's a founding member of the group and has been doing it forever. I'm sort of taking over the duties gradually.
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563
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drum + hand
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« Reply #5 on: December 02, 2004, 08:44 PM » |
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Are there more drummer/leaders than other instrument/leaders? Or is it just noting that there are drummer/leaders? (and Im talking band leaders, not just eye contact queue givers)
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jokerjkny
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« Reply #6 on: December 03, 2004, 01:06 AM » |
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(...)
I think a good drummer can really serve as a conductor for a band.
well, like 563 is pointing out, I'm talking "musical directors" that organize arrangements, bring in new material for the band to work on, and make sure the rest of the band is playing the correct parts written out for them, etc. more than just human stoplight, I'm talking full blown conductor / arranger / songwriter. maybe my ignorance is subconsciously tying this thread along with that other thread about "drummer misconceptions"...  |
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Mister Acrolite
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« Reply #7 on: December 03, 2004, 06:28 AM » |
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well, like 563 is pointing out, I'm talking "musical directors" that organize arrangements, bring in new material for the band to work on, and make sure the rest of the band is playing the correct parts written out for them, etc. more than just human stoplight, I'm talking full blown conductor / arranger / songwriter. maybe my ignorance is subconsciously tying this thread along with that other thread about "drummer misconceptions"... I still think the drummer is a logical choice. Between the drummer's physical location and the fact that the drummer can (or should be able to) hear how everybody's parts fit together, a drummer with decent musical training should make an excellent MD. It's way more work, but you make way more money. So you gotta bring more to the table. Is it a task for the "average" drummer? Probably not. But for a drummer with good all-around musical training and some organizational skills, it's one of the few areas where you can "move up" career-wise. Face it - there's not a lot of room for advancement in this line of work - you either have a gig or you don't. |
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I just found out most of the recordings I'm on were actually played by Bernard Purdie. my drummerworld page |
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Chris Whitten
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« Reply #8 on: December 03, 2004, 07:10 AM » |
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I still think the drummer is a logical choice.
For once I disagree.  Drummers as MD on a gig is fine and dandy, but from personal experience I find rehearsing as an MD nigh on impossible. It's easier for other instrumentalists to conduct with one hand (keyboardists), or with the end of the instrument (horns, guitars etc...). I also find non drummer MD's can stop playing to shout out chords or words of advice......if the drummer stops, everybody stops. Also, in a normal stage set up, the drummer is at the back, normally with the bands back to him/her. I think it's easier to have someone at the front of stage (even imaginary stage) running the rehearsal. All power to drummer MD's IMO, but I tried it and just couldn't communicate with the other band members effectively under normal rehearsal conditions.  |
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Roger Beverage
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« Reply #9 on: December 03, 2004, 04:19 PM » |
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My band does not rehearse in a concert type setup. I sit in the center of the long wall of the room, the rest of the rhythm section on either side, trumpets to my left, trombones dead ahead and saxes on the right, all facing into the center. Each section leader is responsible for monitoring problems within his section, I monitor the whole. At a glance from any of the section leaders, or at my discretion, a couple of out of time clunks on the cowbell brings everything to a halt.
I do not attempt to have the full score in front of me, and try to play at the same time. If the provided drum part is really sketchy. I write my own drum chart based on the 1st trumpet part and write in cues as needed so I know what is supposed to happen when.
Roger
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trecool
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« Reply #10 on: December 13, 2004, 07:15 PM » |
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on stage, our guitarist normally starts, and I finish, but off stage everyone sticks thier finger up their arse while our rythym guitarist and I get gigs etc.
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ben
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« Reply #11 on: December 19, 2004, 10:24 AM » |
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At an audition I went to yesterday, one of the guitar players asked me what I thought the role of the drummer should be in a band.
I answered that the drummer is kind of the director of the band and that he's the musical leader on stage. The band follows him and not the opposite... I told him that when I play, I keep it all together and that I also have my ears wide open for the other instruments, in case of spontaneous jams during parts of songs and also mistakes that sometimes happens. So I drive the band, but my job is also to adapt to what can (and will) happen on stage.
The drummer acts as the motor of the band and the sound, the drive and the energy really can change depending on the drummer who's playing.
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irishthump
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« Reply #12 on: December 22, 2004, 04:54 PM » |
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I've always seen the role of bandleader a natural one for drummers. Apart from leading the band in terms of feel and tempo, I think drummers are in a better position to listen to the overall sound of the group.
I find when I play, it's easier for me to take an "overview" of the sound. Maybe it's got something to do with the fact that I'm not playing a pitched instrument.
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"Free your mind, and your sticks will follow....."
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