NikkiSixxfan

6 hours ago, Japhet said:

Drummer in my band frustrates the B'Jesus out of me. He's a great band member and is always reliable, organizes stuff, sets up the PA etc. etc, but when it comes to keeping time he drives me nuts. Unlike most 'dodgy' drummers, his favorite way of aggravating me is slowing stuff down. We've talked about it over and over and still it goes on. I've tried to deal with it in real time but I end up pushing the beat at the places where he habitually slows down but to no avail. It ends up sounding a complete mess and like I can't keep time either, so I invariably end up slowing down as well. I've suggested practicing to a metronome but he'd rather spend his time working on fancy fills and stuff which rarely come off in real time. Some songs he'll actually count in at the right tempo but then immediately start off about 20% slower. Sorry for the rant but it was an opportunity to vent something I've had years of.

Might be the same drummer!

1 hour ago, Steve Browning said:

This isn't a criticism (although it'll sound like one) but I wonder to what extent you work with him onstage? Might he feel there's little feedback from you?

 

Just giving something to think about. I know neither of you so can only speculate on reasons for it (which could be that's he's not very good, of course).

I appreciate that could be true, but I would add that he wears headphones as ear protection and honestly has never been much for making eye contact. My first gig with him, I was looking at him for guidance. Got none.

That all sounds very convenient to my argument but it’s a difficult situation.

Question. Are we as bassists in a unique position to assess drummers?

Reason I ask is, I play with a drummer I would say is not very good. He plays all the right notes but has no groove and his rhythm is inconsistent. Very hard to lock in with.

Weirdly, no one else who knows him or plays with him shares my opinion on his playing. But none of them are playing bass with him either.

It’s possible that I am the sucky one but I don’t have this problem with the other drummers I play with.

So I ask once more, are bassists in a unique position to assess drummers?