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Alternatives to drums as percussion in a band setting


rOB
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There's always one of these [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/millenium_synth_drum.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/millenium_synth_drum.htm[/url]

I've a friend with the Yamaha version (four times the price) and it sounds dam good (but they're a good drummer).

You good always get a keyboard to play the GM drumkits on their synths.

Steve

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As always, BCers come up trumps on ideas and encouragement. Thanks everyone.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1333111514' post='1597572']
We use a Cajon as the core percussion instrument in Braziliance but it is supplemented by congas etc. The cajon is the main instrument for some pretty intense flamenco stuff and noone has ever really transferred that intensity to a Rock setting so now is your chance!!

There are also beatboxers, an under explored options for bands. We have all seen the amazing youtube clips of solo beatboxers but why couldn't a properly amplified beatboxer not be part of the core rhythm section of a band? Frame drummers are another option (look up Trilok Gurtu). And, of course, there is the drum machine route.
[/quote]
An amplified beatboxer could be amazing, excellent idea. I would never have thought of that. Well worth looking into.
Will have to look up frame drums, afraid I've never heard of them.

[quote name='oggiesnr' timestamp='1333660246' post='1605124']
There's always one of these [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/millenium_synth_drum.htm"]http://www.thomann.d..._synth_drum.htm[/url]
I've a friend with the Yamaha version (four times the price) and it sounds dam good (but they're a good drummer).
[/quote]
Never seen one of those before. very interesting.

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Something else I've been thinking about are stomp boxes like the one Seasick Steve uses sometimes. I think you could combine elements of the cajon snare into one and have very simple kick drum and snare sounds under your feet.

What I'm thinking of is a wooden box, maybe 12"x10"x4" with a microphone or piezo pickups inside. The top surface to be played/stamped on would be screwed down tight at one end (bass drum type sound?) and loosely at the other (snare type sound?). The loose end could have snares/rattles on the underside and maybe a metal plate on the top side for a sharper sound.

Any thoughts on that? Seen anyone doing anything similar?

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  • 3 weeks later...

[quote name='rOB' timestamp='1333705828' post='1605431']
Something else I've been thinking about are stomp boxes like the one Seasick Steve uses sometimes. I think you could combine elements of the cajon snare into one and have very simple kick drum and snare sounds under your feet.

What I'm thinking of is a wooden box, maybe 12"x10"x4" with a microphone or piezo pickups inside. The top surface to be played/stamped on would be screwed down tight at one end (bass drum type sound?) and loosely at the other (snare type sound?). The loose end could have snares/rattles on the underside and maybe a metal plate on the top side for a sharper sound.

Any thoughts on that? Seen anyone doing anything similar?
[/quote]

Should work. There are loads of stomp boxes out there ranging in price from not a lot to a couple of hundred pounds.

You could always try one of these [url="http://www.footdrums.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_Andy.tpl&product_id=8&category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=6"]http://www.footdrums.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_Andy.tpl&product_id=8&category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=6[/url] :D

Steve

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[quote name='JakeBrownBass' timestamp='1333134848' post='1598020']
+1 for the cajun!

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L4aeowB_YE[/media]
[/quote]

Thanks for posting this link. I wanted to say just how much I enjoyed this performance of Superstition. Stripped-down, transparent musicianship on full display. Love it.

Steve

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[quote name='oggiesnr' timestamp='1335339776' post='1629369']
Should work. There are loads of stomp boxes out there ranging in price from not a lot to a couple of hundred pounds.

You could always try one of these [url="http://www.footdrums.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_Andy.tpl&product_id=8&category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=6"]http://www.footdrums...uemart&Itemid=6[/url] :D

Steve
[/quote]

Just a smidge more than I was planning on spending!

Was thinking of a self build but the whole thing might need to wait for a bit. Loads of drummers have suddenly come out of the woodwork so jamming with a few over the next few weeks.

Still want to give it a go.

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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...

Double bass is all the percussion you need.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOkYMw5-ZMg

Also, I saw a clip recently of a band where the "drummer" just had brushes on a sheet of sandpaper...can't for the life of me remember who it was now though.

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[quote name='Hodge' timestamp='1339012513' post='1682507']
Double bass is all the percussion you need.

Also, I saw a clip recently of a band where the "drummer" just had brushes on a sheet of sandpaper...can't for the life of me remember who it was now though.
[/quote]

Very cool. Thanks for posting

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We tried alternatives to a full kit including the cajon. It makes a nice sound but our drummer never took to it. We also tried a cafe drum but the sound is literally monotonous. Now we go out with a Hi-hat and snare in the smaller pubs with a stomp box for the kick sound. We use a logarhythm which is cheap but sounds it. One local band goes around with just a snare and the drummer gets terrific variety just in the rhythm. Trophy Wife use a home made drum synth [url="http://vimeo.com/22665566"]http://vimeo.com/22665566[/url] which sounds great and gives a lot of performance opportunity but isn't acoustic obviously

To be honest after experimenting I think it is matching the instrument to the drummer rather than the choice you make. Asking a drummer to use a cajon on the basis that it is just hitting things is not unlike asking a guitarist to play bass.

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[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1339509207' post='1689520']
To be honest after experimenting I think it is matching the instrument to the drummer rather than the choice you make. Asking a drummer to use a cajon on the basis that it is just hitting things is not unlike asking a guitarist to play bass.
[/quote]

Well I think it is highly important to make the distinction between hand and stick percussion. Completely different techniques required to play.

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  • 2 weeks later...

We've got a drummer who is also a very good hand percussionist. He often just uses a Roland Handsonic and does great stuff with it. He uses a Cajon sometimes too. We also have an MC who is a talented beatboxer and we have a turntablist too who provides beats sometimes.

Lots of options! Wish I could get them all to rehearse more often. :/

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[quote name='oggiesnr' timestamp='1340489949' post='1705312']
Don't forget the humble washboard to which you can add all manner of 'bangy' stuff and still hold it and walk around and pose.

Steve
[/quote]

absolutely! the washboard was used to marvellous effect on stuff like Blind Boy Fuller, really cool.

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My wife and I play in a skiffle band. The washboard is extremely underrated and she always has people chatting to her at the end of a gig.

We're packed up and ready to go, she's still there giving lessons..!!

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  • 3 months later...

The setup in my current band, SilkRoad, is two acoustic guitars, thumb bass and tabla (Indian variety). It works for the genre and gives the band a unique sound in conjunction with the active but woody tone of he thumb and the steel string guitars. We have started using my 15" bass extension can as backli e for the mic'd tabla and it's kickin!! What's also really useful is the ability to have the 'drums' lower in volume than you'd get away with on a kit for smaller gigs. Meaning we don't have to blast the audience in order to keep up levels with the kit.

The one thing we do miss live is some sizzle you'd get from a hat or similar. When the second guitarist isn't playin a part to create space, there are a place or two he grabs an egg shaker lol

Although I think it's safe to say that if it's hard to find a drummer, its even harder to find a decent tabla player. Especially one who can fit with more western popular musical structure!! The guys a gem for sure.

Edited by Ashwood1985
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[quote name='Ashwood1985' timestamp='1349898013' post='1832050']
have the 'drums' lower in volume than you'd get away with on a kit for smaller gigs. Meaning we don't have to blast the audience in order to keep up levels with the kit.

The one thing we do miss live is some sizzle you'd get from a hat or similar. When the second guitarist isn't playin a part to create space, there are a place or two he grabs an egg shaker lol

Although I think it's safe to say that if it's hard to find a drummer, its even harder to find a decent tabla player. Especially one who can fit with more western popular musical structure!! The guys a gem for sure.
[/quote]

All very good points when considering alternatives to kit drummers.

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