phil_the_bassist Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 Ok, I've just got a call from our singer asking if I was free to gig saturday...but without our tub thumper. I've ok'd it, as it means that I'll have control of the tempo (so Must Hang Sally doesn't hit 150bpm like it usually does when our drummer's had a few!) but I've just been thinking thru the songs and we take a LOT of queues from our drummer, which I'll have to do *somehow*...have I dropped myself in it? I was planning on giving a pep talk along the lines of "Don't get pissed til after the gig, and PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT EVERYONES DOING!!!!" pre-gig, and shout the drum breaks in a "Bam Da Bapa bam bam!" type way. Will this work? Will I be able to do it? Will I be lynched? oh, and if anyone wants to come to point, laugh, or help out it'll be in the Snooty Fox, Newbury, Berkshire on sat night from about 8-1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 Are you going to have a drum machine or sequencer instead? Wont the songs sound weird without drums? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 [quote name='cheddatom' post='271086' date='Aug 27 2008, 03:28 PM']Are you going to have a drum machine or sequencer instead? Wont the songs sound weird without drums?[/quote] When you say 'weird' you do mean better don't you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_the_bassist Posted August 27, 2008 Author Share Posted August 27, 2008 (edited) [quote name='cheddatom' post='271086' date='Aug 27 2008, 03:28 PM']Are you going to have a drum machine or sequencer instead? Wont the songs sound weird without drums?[/quote] No we won't and yes they will! [quote name='warwickhunt' post='271088' date='Aug 27 2008, 03:30 PM']When you say 'weird' you do mean better don't you [/quote] I hope so I was thinking, cos of the lower acoustic volume we'll need to overcome, we can be a lot quieter and thus will be able to hear each other so I could probably be able to rein 'em all in and sling the yoke of superior timekeeping across their sholders! Edited August 27, 2008 by phil_the_bassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 (edited) We've gigged without our drummer once. We had to do different arrangements of the tunes - and we had to rely more heavily on our wussier tunes. It can be done but it requires a bit of thought in advance. Edited August 27, 2008 by The Funk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 Yeh I have done acoustic sets of re-arranged electric songs before, but I wouldn't try to just play an electric set as usual without a drummer. Program a laptop or arrange your songs for an acoustic style IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 [quote name='cheddatom' post='271093' date='Aug 27 2008, 03:39 PM']Yeh I have done acoustic sets of re-arranged electric songs before, but I wouldn't try to just play an electric set as usual without a drummer. Program a laptop or arrange your songs for an acoustic style IMHO.[/quote] Agreed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayfan Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 (edited) It'll work - just get the guitarists to play electro-acoustic (or with smaller amps) and sit down while you gig so it looks a bit different and "acoustic". We've done it a couple of times and had a good laugh with it. You can prob do most of the stuff on your set - let the guitarist and singer take the lead. A quick run through beforehand will help too but it should be ok. Don't try and do it fast paced like you would if you had the full band there - make it look more relaxed and have fun with it and the punters will get the idea. Tell them you're unplugged for the night because the drummer's got an ASBO curfew. Edited August 27, 2008 by stingrayfan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 Yeah, be a bit more purcussive with your bass. Tap the strings while the guitarist does verses etc. I wouldnt do it myself, good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah5string Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 And you want to be able to pull this off... for this saturday...... uh.... good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_the_bassist Posted August 27, 2008 Author Share Posted August 27, 2008 (edited) I was hoping you wouldn't say that! lol! We'll probably have to go with the lighter songs, but the only drum machine type thing I've got is a zoom (IIRC) BP50 that I found yesterday...but it does nothing more than basic drum loops. I suppose that as long as we all sit down and play quietly you can do an acoustic (read: quite) version of Slither and Sweet Child and PurpHaze et al...right *edit* SRFan, you read my mind and posted as i was typing! I'm usually pretty purcussive Ste_m3, with muted slap&pop over kick and snare when it's suitable, so that's a good plan too! and Sarah, I'm trying to rinse the sarcasm outta your post and turning it into positive gesture of goodwill...hope you don't mind! Edited August 27, 2008 by phil_the_bassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah5string Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 [quote name='phil_the_bassist' post='271109' date='Aug 27 2008, 03:52 PM']and Sarah, I'm trying to rinse the sarcasm outta your post and turning it into positive gesture of goodwill...hope you don't mind! [/quote] Feel free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 Just thank god your not in a Punk band Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilmour Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 Unless you've spent a while working on special 'no drums' arrangements I'd be very hesitant about playing the gig. You'll probably be better off finding a good dep for the night, if they are all covers it shouldn't be much of a problem for a drummer, especially if you can squeeze in a rehersal first. I see you're near me in Newbury, if you want some numbers for drum deps. drop me a PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 I've done gigs without a kit (and most definitely without a drum machine) on plenty of occasions before in a number of bands. As has already been mentioned, think more like a drummer. Slow the tunes down, chunk 'em up a bit. If they're too fast they'll turn into a blurry mess. If you do it right, you'll be amazed how quickly the audience forget there's no drummer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_the_bassist Posted August 27, 2008 Author Share Posted August 27, 2008 good to hear it IS possible at least! I think it'll be an 'experience' and one that I'll hopefully not remeber the next day (we get free booze at this place I'll defo have my share *after* this gig!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 I do quite a lot of (jazz) gigs without drums. I don't particularly enjoy it because on bass you have to be a lot tighter with the rhythm than pulse along with the ride cymbal. I have to do this mainly for economic reasons and I just get on with it. If you've got a good rhythm guitarist you should be OK. Take the overall volume right down and do a sort of unplugged set. You'll enjoy it and you may make a few musical discoveries on the way. But do it, and good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 If you do it right, you'll be surprised by the reaction you get. We had more applause at that gig than our "loud" gigs. In fact, this thread has inspired me to book another acoustic gig for us... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 Go for it, good luck and may the fours be with you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wulf Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 Psst... don't tell my drummer but I often prefer playing without drums. On a good day, the kit adds a lot to the mix but it also tends to push up the volume. Drums certainly aren't essential to get some fantastic rhythm stuff going. However, it would help if you could find a bit of time to rehearse beforehand; the downside of not having your regular tub-thumper will be that all the parts you have doubtless carefully crafted to fit together as a whole ensemble will now sound a bit empty. Nothing that can't be overcome but it might be as well to reassure yourselves of that before appearing before an audience. Wulf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 (edited) We did a gig on Sunday with no drummer. I found practising the songs on my own with no backing track at all was good. At rehearsal I found there were bits in songs that I was relying on drums, either as cues or parts where I was playing around the drums, obviously those are the bits that needed a bit of rework. It also helped listening to demos with no drums on. But then, these are newish original songs which I don't know quite as well as should! On the plus side I really enjoyed it and will definitely do it again. Much less hassle doing a gig without a drummer Edited August 27, 2008 by bigjohn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 I did a fetsival gig once without a drummer. Using an unlined fretless Stingray 5. Hardest gig I've ever done. I dictated the pace (I [i]was[/i] the rhythm section, after all!) I also "telegraphed" the changes to the guitarists as best I could. I had cramp in my feet from time-keeping, and I don't think I looked up much, but we survived. It can be done. But a drummer is better... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 We used to regularly take bookings for an acoustic version of our U2 tribute show, smaller venues, or those with a tight budget used to love it !! Had a Thursday night residency at Durham County Cricket Club doing the set without drums !! Bit boring like if i'm honest !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayfan Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 It's a weird one - you don't get the pleasure of playing against the drummer when you go "unplugged" but it does make the gig more relaxed. You feel like you can relax and have a laugh with it a bit more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 [quote name='Marcus' post='271285' date='Aug 27 2008, 08:04 PM']We used to regularly take bookings for an acoustic version of our U2 tribute show, smaller venues, or those with a tight budget used to love it !! Had a Thursday night residency at Durham County Cricket Club doing the set without drums !! Bit boring like if i'm honest !!![/quote] How can you do U2 without a delay pedal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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