Patio drumming

[CoryandTrevor]

Couple questions. First off I have been playing for a while and have played numerous shows and am comfortable in that sense. However I haven't really played many patio gigs with just one acoustic guitarist who sings. Just a couple of times for a few songs while not getting paid.

1) What style of drumming should be used and with what equipment? Do you use a hi-hat for beats or just simply a bass and snare? Do you bring a ride/crash? Or do you just bring a cajon perhaps?

There should be no "right" answer because certain styles can sound better for certain songs, but I am just curious to the different methods some of you use. Any additional techniques or tips would be great!

2) I have a 20" kick on my kit but ordered a brand new quality kit with a 22" kick drum. Is a 22" kick too big for patio? I was going to sell my old kit and hopefully get $400 max, but I think I'll just keep it for now and use the 20" for patio that way I can make that money back rather than bring a brand new quality kit to these gigs.

[dt344]

Really what determines that is how the guitar and vocals will be amplified. If it's going to be a loud gig with a full PA system, then your normal kit might be ok. But if it's unamplified acoustic guitar and vocals, you probably should just do use cajon.

[EddieV]

What's a PATIO Gig?

[kay-gee]

Smallest drums possible, and likely just a kick, snare, and hats. Some extra percussion is good too. Sometimes just chill the drums and shake a tambourine or something.

all the best...

[rudd_timm]

i woud just take my basic kit (hats, ride, crash, and drums) and see what happens. then go from there.

have fun man!!

[pastor_bob]

If it's an acoustic job, there's always a Cajon, shakers, or a small kit with Hod Rods/brushes.

[Drumbledore]

^ This. Or even a djembe if you know how to play one. I'm looking to get a cajon plus a cajon pedal to add to my percussion arsenal.

[Yoda]

Theres a setup Ive seen on Youtube that is like a psudo-c.ocktail kit. Heres a few examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2t9SoBBA9o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zo55SW-RNo

This way you can still sit down, just bring like one tom and a snare (as well as cymbals). Using the floor tom as a bass drum you have much more room.

[CoryandTrevor]

What's a PATIO Gig?

Patio just means like an outdoor gig at a bar, where most bars in the summer have a patio you can sit outside on and drink beers, usually they'll have an acoustic singer and sometimes a 2 piece, acoustic and a drummer.

[senorblondie]

I'd say a cajon or djembe kind of acoustic thing. Likewise, you could just use a smaller kit. As long as it isn't overwhelming the rest of the band, I'd say it will fit nice.

[Northern Redneck]

Tune your kick very low and resonant, use a very soft wool beater, so you get a nice low resonat but not loud boomp sound, a nice shimmery ride your snare, some brushes and lots of creativity.

[drumsetsnide]

It all depends on the music, patio/venue, the room you have, the sound you're trying to achieve, the volume you want/don't want... a number of factors.

I play in a full band but the two guitar players do duets as well and at times they want percussion backing them. So I have congas, bongos, a crash/ride, shaker and tambourine that I will take for smaller, patio gigs. I have used a cajon but we all seem to like the hand percussion I mentioned above.

Having a smaller kit as Northern Redneck described is a nice option also. I just haven't found the need for one with what I am doing with my guitar players when they do duets.

[Kazzy42]

I like djembes

[souzabatero]

Hey,

Yeah it way different. My girlfriend is a singer song writer, and we play a lot of duets...It all depends on what you want to do.

I always bring my snare and a hi hat...I have a little 10in snare that I bring out on occasions. I also use my crash cymbal and usually put my highest tom on a clamp an attach to the cymbal. Sometimes I use a bass sometimes no, but I always bring a cajon that I sit on. Depends on how patio it is...I bring sticks and brushes and I end up playing a lot of it with my brushes. I have the vic forth whites and purples, the white are a little stiffer and more "rock" then the purples which really are much better for playing traditional jazz brushes. I like the brushes because the hi hat and the cymbals don't stand out too much or aren't too punchy. , subtle is what I am always going for.

Their is no right answer, but it is fun just to bring pieces of a kit and play something suuuuper simple. Also you dont want to be up on the stage with a monster kit in front of a mellow singer song writer.

Good luck!

[Lukeatoopis]

check out Rival Sons, Michael Miley is the king of this acoustic gig