Subbeh Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 We give them a fair but of stick(!) but how good is it when you find the right drummer? The one that makes playing seem effortless, the one that always seems to know what you're thinking almost before you do. You feel like your a better musician when you're playing alongside them. Played with a good number of them over the years and every now and then I get to play with a guy who I've known on and off since I was a kid and wow, doesn't matter how long it's been we always fall into a really easy understanding. It's not something I've found in any other drummer and I've really tried to play with as many as possible. It's just so damn good when you find your perfect drummer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Yes, I found him many years ago. The shame is, apart from three or four rehearsals with a band that fell apart very quickly, I've never played with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Oh my word isn't it! There's something, whatever it is - call it X Factor or some deep psychological theory over what bonds musicians together in unspoken communication - but when you find them, as you say, it is so damn good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 I think I`ve been lucky in that since 2009 I`ve only played with real quality drummers. What we currently do isn`t exactly rocket-salad, but I don`t think many would be able to do what ours does at the pace and intensity for long. And in my last band, The Tuesday Club, well Terry (now sadly deceased) was probably the best all-round drummer I`ve ever been in a band with. For me, a drummer shows how good they are when their playing makes the band sound crisp, and he had that nailed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 The flip side of this is that the drummer I played with for the longest was by far the worst. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scalpy Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 One guy I play with is the full fat real deal, just astonishing, but it hurts so bad not being able to make music with him frequently. He makes everyone sound better, in my case better than I really am! Good drummer= bass nicotine, very addictive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 I occasionally get to play with a fab drummist. One of those guys who listens to what's going on, and complements things rather than dominates them. And plays that fractionally behind the beat feel which I love, but without slowing down. And, crucially, doesn't hit the snare and cymbals so hard which with other drummers means I have to wear earplugs. A rare thing in my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subbeh Posted January 4, 2016 Author Share Posted January 4, 2016 [quote name='scalpy' timestamp='1451941578' post='2944926'] Good drummer= bass nicotine, very addictive. [/quote] It really is, I've got a couple of things on the go but playing with someone like that has really got me thinking about where my time is best spent because afterward nothing else seems nearly as much fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Yes thanks. Not only is he an awesome drummer. Tight, musical, experienced. He's a great singer so now our bv's sound like Queen. He has all is own gear, pa, lights, smoke machine. A total pro! Oh yeah and a cracking bloke! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 I played alongside a drummer for 18 months up until a couple of years ago. He would be the first to arrive and would have everything set up before anybody else. He had bass drum, snare and two toms, hihat and 2 cymbals. He was always the first to have packed up at the end. He played in such an understated way. All other drummers I've played with were too busy in comparison. Playing with Mick, there always felt like there was plenty of room and simplicity within the sonic space. A real case of less is more. I've just started a band and we needed a drummer. I hadn't seen Mick for over two years. He plays in 4 other bands and has his own business building bespoke drum kits. He helped us out for a few sessions just to see if the band was a goer, but just couldn't commit to another project. A real friend - quiet, stripped-down, un-showy player who helps everybody around him lugging their equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Had one guy for nearly two years. Just astonishing.... best musician around..by some way, IMO> He has all the chops, all the feel, musical and the whole audience just gets him. Of course he overplays as that is what is expected of him at times and he plays up to it but then I also know what level he has played at and technically he probably still has it so he really can do it all. Great great fun when on fire and he is the drummer I always wanted to find.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeBop Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 My first instrument was drums .... i was ten when i was introduced to my fathers drummer (jazz band ...old man played trumpet) I think his name was Hugh Ferguson (i know it was Hugh) he was the teacher for the Scottish Police Pipe band back in the 70s...fantastic guy and brilliant drummer... i progressed very quickly with his teachings ..also remember hours and hours of practice but it was never a chore ..i loved it Long story short ... i got a phone call 20 years ago ...ooft asking if i was still playing drums .. i hadnt played for a number of years this guy got my number from a friend of a friend turns out hes playing cruise ships ..the money is good and conditions are top notch and would i be interested... he tells me the current drummer is leaving the band in three months time giving me three months to quit my job and get some serious practice up until recently i have regretted not going for it ...but my heart was nt in drumming i wanted to make music.. not rat a tat man .. i met a friend a few years ago who told me what happened to this out fit most of the cruises were landing in the Caribbean....where the coke was as common as alcohol ... they all got a taste for coke ...sleeping all day playing cruise ship standards at night and getting nutted all night long chatting up the rich totty one thing led to another and in order to bring themselves down they were dabbling in H which would allow them some sleep .. the poor guy who called me is now a skeletor look a like.. ducking and diving trying to get his next fix Rock n Roll ...ooooooooooft if anyone is looking for me to drum for their band the answer is still no and next time your on a Caribbean Cruise go check out the band see if they same sane to you ...if not you ll know the reason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Since 2009 I've had the privilege of playing with Chris in 3 different bands - he's my partner in rhythm. Also a couple of years playing with Luke - a terrific drummer with a real (and seemingly rare) ability to play softly. A couple of one-offs which worked great with Ben and Neil. Played for the first time ever with David in a total one-off (no rehearsals or anything) on Saturday and it was also great (seen him play many times, dunno if that helps?). Bottom line is that I've been very lucky in that every drummer I've ever played with has been great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 My main band don't have a full time drummer. Instead we use a number of drummers picked from a list. How good the band plays, is usually the direct result of how good that nights drummer is. It constantly amazes me, how a excellent drummer can make such a huge difference to the quality of a bands performance. Like the old saying goes, 'Yer only as good as yer drummer'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeBop Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 you can have Jaco on bass Pete Townshend , Buddy Guy , BB king , Chet Atkins , on guitar if the drummer cant make it his own ... you got sh*t a sloppy drummer is chicken nuggets .. look at me i can bang the sh*t out of it ..... sh*t and bang are the key words a good drummer is worth his weight in Diamonds .... no questions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Yes - Thank you 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicko Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Played briefly in a band with a great drummer when I was at school - he went on to make a living in session work, and then opened a drum shop I believe. Since then I played with some good guys, but no one that could touch that spotty 15 year old guy. Such a shame I wasn't good enough to really appreciate it back then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Yeh I've played with a couple, then took it up myself. Around here there seem to be a lot of drummers who are great at one particular genre. Some of the guys playing technical metal are just incredible to watch, but for whatever reason I doubt they'd get reggae or funk - could be my own weird prejudices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Yup, the Wirebirds drummer and I seem to think with one mind when we are playing, best rhythm section I've had the pleasure of being in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I'm lucky enough to play with a few deps, three of whom are all very very good in their different ways. Interesting how they bring out different aspects of my playing, too. We've discussed this on long van trips, and they've all said they play slightly differently with different band members, especially bassists. It appears to be a two-way street: that chemistry thing... The downside of deps is sometimes there's a right duffer turns up - not often nowadays, and they're not as awful as some of the guys I've played with back in the day, but I think they seem worse by comparison... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 [quote name='dood' timestamp='1451940516' post='2944906'] Oh my word isn't it! There's something, whatever it is - call it X Factor or some deep psychological theory over what bonds musicians together in unspoken communication - but when you find them, as you say, it is so damn good! [/quote] Pretty sure I jammed with one of your old drummers a few years back - hadn't been back playing bass for long then, but boy that was special. So much control, so much feel. Never come across anyone else close to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I regularly play with three drummers at present and they're all good but we don't seem to have that telepathic relationship where everything is just perfect. I've only found that once and unfortunately, he was the most uncommitted band member I've ever come across. Fabulous to play with (three different bands) but he'd always bail out after a couple of gigs. Not even sure if he plays at all these days. Very frustrating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elephantgrey Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) I have a great drummer. http://medias.audiofanzine.com/images/normal/korg-electribe-esx1-603049.jpg Edit: don't know how to embed images from my phone, will fix when I get home from work. Edited January 5, 2016 by elephantgrey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Only skimmed through the thread . Finding the drummer can be done . Keeping them can be a problem tho '... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 [quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1451993805' post='2945247'] Pretty sure I jammed with one of your old drummers a few years back - hadn't been back playing bass for long then, but boy that was special. So much control, so much feel. Never come across anyone else close to that. [/quote] Oh wow! Coooool! I taught them well heh he he!!!! Speaking of keeping good time and control, a very good friend of mine, a session drummer & clinician based in L.A and I managed to jam over Skype. It was just for fun, playing around some classic grooves. When Skype stopped freaking out and restored our connection we found that we'd managed to stay playing in time - across five and a half thousand miles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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