DRUMMER CAFE

Tell him.  Maybe he'll just accept it. 

I just finished an 10 month gig with a guitar/band leader that not only kept time for the band but expected the drummer to play off his licks sans the pocket. Very interesting but ultimately frustrating. It was a learning experience however, so maybe look at it that way (until you determine I can or can't do this).

Jeez, I would think most people would fall over themselves to have a drummer like you.

When I first joined a band with my H.S. buddys last year... they were expecting someone that was going to set the music on fire.  But they were so BAD! I stuck to playing the minimum minimum for months.  The bass player said I was deliberately underplaying and the guitar player would get pissed and was always asking me to play more rolls, look more lively, etc.  I was like "Dudes, until you guys get tight, I'm kicking back."  "Quit or fire me."  The bass player did quit at practice once but came back around

So now we have finally developed a sound, pretty tight and with good vocals.  The tunes are not a mess of overplaying (usually the guitar player is very guilty of this) and the band is developing a good punch/sting to it's sound with some decent playing for whom we are.

4 guys with the same musical vision is impossible- compromising to form a sound is the only way you have chance to keep your sanity.

Give him more cowbell!!

Well you're playing approach probably works well for an acoustic guitar duo. I could see electric guitar duo and the idea of filling up a bunch of space.

Hope it turns out well. Happy cinco de mayo!!


btw, the guitarist I play with has great time as a guitarist and really plays pretty good as a drummer...though at times it sounds like Mitch Mitchell playing very badly.

then I would do as he asked.

maybe he's not able to play what he wants on the kit, but if he's communicating to you that he wants more energy, rolls and fills, you should play with more energy, rolls and fills. 

I understand that it may be a musical mismatch, but until you're ready to bail, and if you're into playing the party gig, I would try to get the most out of the musical experience and learn to adapt to the situation at hand. you'd have to do that with ANY drumming gig.

if you guys are going to play at a PARTY, and you're gonna have another guitarist and a bassist, then maybe the music oughta be more high-energy, ya know?

with people who can't play or communicate, you just have to draw it out of them. ask him more questions. demonstrate what you think he wants, then see how he responds. try to get out of your comfort zone a little bit. working drummers don't get paid to stay in their comfort zone. think about the steve gadds of the world--I'm sure they get called on to play with a lot of not-so-experienced players who don't really know what they want and can't express it. they have to use their skill and professionalism to create a great sound and feel that makes the main performer shine. it's like that thread about the great singer/songwriters who had great drummers--it was the drummers that had what it took to complete the artist's vision.

sorry if I'm sounding punchy. my allergies are bugging me and I'm jealous coz I don't have a music gig. 

 

Sad to say, but more people go to the guitarist (I.e. music) than the drummer. It is pretty much his gig. Give him what he wants with GOOD TASTE. That should keep him happy. That and quit seeing his girlfriend on the side....... (my apologies, I had to say it)

On the flip side, you must be pretty good or he wouldn't ask you to play more. Take it as a compliment and DELIVER!!!!!!!