solo4652 Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 I'm setting up an acoustic band with my good friend. He plays guitar (with a number of foot pedal effects), guitar synth, and he sings using a cheek mic via a vocal effects doodah controlled by foot switches and pedals. I don't know how he manages all that. There is another guitarist (who also uses some effects via foot pedals) and who sings, myself on electric bass, and another singer. We want to add some decent drum beats to give the songs genuine drive and a rhythm for me to play against, but without having a traditional drummer there to keep the band footprint as small as possible. I've seen the porchboard-type stompboxes, and also things like the Ortega Horsekick pro, but we want something a bit more sophisticated than that with fills, chorus/verse variations, outros etc, not just a repetitive bang - bang- bang- bang sound. My guitarist friend is talking about a BeatBuddy, but I'm not keen on this for two reasons: He's got enough to do already with playing guitar, guitar synth, and singing, all with associated pedals. He's only got two feet and one brain! Being a bit of a "keep it live" purist, I don't really want to play with programmed drum samples or backing tracks. I want to be able to say to the audience that everything they hear is being produced live by us. My choice would be a good cajon player with added cymbals and Heck stick. Rare as hens' teeth. So - ideas please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earbrass Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 (edited) I recently saw a guy using a cajon / djembe combination that worked really well. Sat on the cajon, with a reversed kick pedal worked with his right heel. Left foot had another kick pedal which operated a tambourine. In front of him he had a large djembe, which he played mostly with brushes. I have a video but it's too big to attach. (or to share via Dropbox, apparently :0( ) Edited March 22, 2019 by Earbrass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest subaudio Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 How about a drummer using a Roland SPD-SX with a bass drum pedal/trigger and possibly real high hats? Lots of drummers use them these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted March 23, 2019 Author Share Posted March 23, 2019 12 hours ago, Earbrass said: I recently saw a guy using a cajon / djembe combination that worked really well. Sat on the cajon, with a reversed kick pedal worked with his right heel. Left foot had another kick pedal which operated a tambourine. In front of him he had a large djembe, which he played mostly with brushes. I have a video but it's too big to attach. (or to share via Dropbox, apparently :0( ) I play the cajon, but I'd consider myself very much a beginner/improver. Obviously, I can't play bass and cajon at the same time! I have considered handing bass-playing duties to another bassist, while I switch to cajon. However, I'd rather play bass than cajon, being honest. Another option might be for me to switch to cajon, while the two guitarists use octaver effects, meaning we do without a bassist completely. Heresey, I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 This is quite effective: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleOhStephan Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 Any reason why you don't just look for a percussionist to join the band? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted March 23, 2019 Author Share Posted March 23, 2019 21 minutes ago, StevieE said: Any reason why you don't just look for a percussionist to join the band? We're trying to keep the band footprint as small as possible. Easy load-ins and outs. Don't want a loud acoustic drumkit, but possibly open to some sort of electronic drumkit. Want to keep things simple - don't want a big drumkit. We're an acoustic band doing charity gigs, not loud 'n' blokey venues. Hand percussionist of some sort would be OK. I've just done a quick search on Join My Band and found two local cajon players. Probably shoot them a message. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 The covers band I'm in has a cajon player instead of a drummer. He also has a brace of bongoes for added sonic variation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleOhStephan Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 2 hours ago, solo4652 said: I've just done a quick search on Join My Band and found two local cajon players. Probably shoot them a message. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted March 23, 2019 Author Share Posted March 23, 2019 45 minutes ago, StevieE said: Good luck! Yeah, I know. Nothing ventured, nothing gained and all that! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubsonicSimpleton Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 19 minutes ago, SubsonicSimpleton said: That made me laugh, quite a lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 Finger drummer? Something like an Akai MPC for drums? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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