just keep beat until you get more comfortable playing with them. after you get more comfortable then do some fills here and there, but mainly just keep pocket the whole time. try to play at the same volume as every one else
Hello Drum Chat,
Well after 1 1/2 years of drumming I am finally stepping out of my comfort zone and playing with other musicians... tomorrow. I have played bass in bands for years, I have even screwed around on my drummers kit but I have never entered the room as the drummer. I am just wondering if there were any tips, tricks or any helpful advice anyone would be willing to bestow upon me.
I recently moved and know nobody within the music community here, so the people are just randoms that I met off of craigslist (kijiji, here in Canada). So I am feeling more nervous than I should.
just keep beat until you get more comfortable playing with them. after you get more comfortable then do some fills here and there, but mainly just keep pocket the whole time. try to play at the same volume as every one else
DW Remo Vic Firth Zidljian
I agree with what groovearteest said. Keep it simple and safe. Don't try to show off too much and you'll be fine. Just show what you can do without being obnoxious.
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Should I try and lead the dynamics or just follow?
Make sure you guys set up so that everyone is satisfied with where they are in the mix from where they are. Have everyone use the drums as a basis for how loud they should be playing, although dynamics affect volume, it only works to an extent.
See if you guys all know a simple cover song, most bands start out jamming on songs they all grew up on, and it will create a common ground to work off of.
Remember, as a drummer your first priority is to keep the time. Although its a great responsibility, don't get worked up if you get off beat for a few seconds, it happens. Once you've secured the time, just work on grooving with the other guys.
Good luck, and have fun!
I agree that when you start the jam, it would be easiest to play the basic groove and don't worry about too many fills until you get more comfortable with the other musicians. They'll love that you're not stepping all over their musical space, and you'll find your own space for fills before long. Other musicians love drummers that don't overplay - unless they're in a band called, "The Who."
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Keep it simple and most importantly....relax and have fun.
I would say just have fun. This is just a jam session. I don't think they'll care if you mess up or mess around a little bit. Just keep that beat.
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If you get a break, take some notes about whats being played and how it's their playing it. I used to think I would remember what I needed to work on after a new/first practice and would forget, so I got in the habbit of writing down sonds, beats, breaks, etc... Next practice I was ahead of the game!
It's gonna be scary cause you will be playing with total strangers and you know you might be better than any of them. So just relax and enjoy it while it lasts. Good luck.
I went through the same thing a few years ago. Answered an ad on kijiji and soon after they came over to my place to jam and see if we matched up. I basically just listened to them playing and jumped in with simple beats at first. Once I got used to the song, I added more to it.
They're not expecting you to know everything off the bat. Just soak it up and keep time...the rest will come naturally as you get to know them better.
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Nothing to really add here...all great advice so far. Be yourself and have fun. As mentioned, dynamics/keeping an equal volume and knowing when to turn it up and down together is important.
So. How did things go :D? Inquiring minds would like to inquire...
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Hey! Thanks for all the advice. I kept everything really simple and things went well. It was really weird for me to step into the roll of drummer having played bass for so long (20+ years). I guess I freaked myself out a little cause I never remembered what the good drummers that I played with did... I only remembered what the bad ones did.
It took all my strength not to play while they were tuning!
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keep the beat goin' ... Don't keep it to yourself!
Charlie
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