Biggest Mistakes That Young Drummers Make

[brandondrury]

I know you are not a metal guy, but have you ever heard a drummer get the high crack in the snare needed for metal drumming without knocking the shit out of his snare?

You are right, drums are loud. This sucks because it makes a rock and metal show the cause of epidemic ear bleeding. I'd rather be able to see local bands at volumes where I can still hang out with friends and talk and such.

In the studio though, metal drummers must kill their snare, but they must have finesse in their cymbal playing.

Brandon

[Geisler]

Originally Posted by TAlderson

Having been to many open mics/coffeehouses, I can say that the biggest problem with any band, but especially the drummer, is trying to play too loudly. Sure, your song may be a heavy, driving metal song, but if no one can hear your vocals/guitars, it just sound like shit. The best drummers are those who realize that the important thing is balance, and so don't play really loud. They also tend to focus on their technique better.

Sounds like a mismatch between the venue/PA and style of music the band plays, rather than a drummer that is "trying to play too loudly."

The only solution for that is electronic drums (acoustic drums don't come with a volume knob).

You honestly expect a drummer to play a heavy, driving metal song quietly?

[brandondrury]

That's always the problem with "local" shows.

The PA is never big enough. The room is usually too small. The drums are overpowering, so bands are cranking up half and full stacks and before you know it, it's so loud that people can't hear a damn thing but the music.

This is more of a band marketing thing, but I think if you played rock / metal at a volume where people could still feel like they are at a rock show, but don't have to scream in their buddy's ear to communicate, the fans would come to more shows. When I pay $20-50 to see my favorite bands, I'm focusing on the music. It's about me, the band, and nothing else. When I'm at a local show, I'm looking to drink too much, hang out with friends, and have some nice background music. I wouldn't pay $26 for any local band and the situation is totally opposite of the me-the band-nothing else example.

This is why non-rock bands have such an advantage as far as bring in the average college kid into the bar, in my opinion.

Brandon

[Geisler]

I think there's a big difference between coffeehouses and dive bars with underpowered PAs. The coffeehouses I've played in have terrible acoustics, and most of the customers just want to drink their coffee and read the paper or write poetry or whatever those people do. Bar crowds are a bit more forgiving in my experience, and even if the acoustics/PA suck, they're usually better than a coffeehouse.

I also think you need to make a distinction between cover bands and those who play original material. I'll accept your "background music" argument if it's a cover band. In Minneapolis at least, people who go out to see "original" indie/local bands are generally interested in watching the show. If not, they can escape to the back of the bar to talk with their friends. The standard around here for these types of shows is 3 to 4 bands playing 45 to 60 minute sets each, so there's plenty of time between bands to visit with your friends too.

In my experience, the main victim of an underpowered PA is the singer. If the PA can't get the vocals to stand out over non-amplified drums and guitar amps set at a level to mix well with the drums, there's really nothing you can do, and I don't think it's fair to blame it on the drummer.

I do like Brandon's idea of a quiet rock/metal band though. Give the drummer some electronic drums, and keep everything as low as you can possibly stand. It'd probably be a good way to practice too--get everyone to listen to each other better. You could probably get lots of sweet gigs in hotels, cruise ships, casinos, nursing homes, and corporate parties (insert sarcastic smiley face here).

[brandondrury]

I do like Brandon's idea of a quiet rock/metal band though. Give the drummer some electronic drums, and keep everything as low as you can possibly stand. It'd probably be a good way to practice too--get everyone to listen to each other better. You could probably get lots of sweet gigs in hotels, cruise ships, casinos, nursing homes, and corporate parties (insert sarcastic smiley face here).

It's too bad that electronic drum thing is considered "unhip" or whatever because there are a million reasons to use them. I'm not sure why electronic pianos are acceptable and electronic drums are not... maybe it's because the sound of electronic drums has just caught up recently.

I've heard from rock guys who play with a drummer who uses electronic drums (Snoopy on this forum) and they said everything is better because of it. Less PA needed. Less headache. Way more fun. There needs to be a way to make these things cool.


I think the stupid volumes that bands practice at is the number one reason why most young bands don't grow and mature as a band. If you can't hear what you are doing, how can you play your instrument?


As for the original music issue. The problem is there is no quality control in my neck of the woods. Terrible bands are a dime a dozen. Maybe I'm just a victim of the times, but just sound is not usually enough. I love music and listen to it all the time, but standing their watching it is... dull unless the band really has something to offer me. I'd rather listen to a cd and build a webpage or something in most instances. Maybe if the quality of bands (or at least the quantity of quality bands) was higher, I'd be more inclined to go to more shows.

A buddy of mine played an acoustic gig at a restaurant and I thought that was really cool. It was nice being able to listen to music and eat.

Brandon

[snoopy]

I think that the practice volume statment above is dead-on...you have to hear yourself and your bandmates to get tight and grow your personal craft. We don't practice with a full PA, just a small setup in a very small room so everyone can hear everything. During practice I play my electronic kit through a small amp I have with a 10'", 5", tweeter in it. This amp becomes my monitor during show when I plug into the PA. The other guys in the band hear me through floor monitors, and I get a little drum sound through my regular floor monitor as well (which I useally have on my left side with my amp on my right side).

We have a nice volume and try to keep it down to a comfy level for us and for the venue drinkers. we have been told more than once that we play at a much lower volume than most local bands....but you can still feel my kick drum in your chest. Good sound and a good show doesn't have to be deafening.....as a matter of fact some times the guys tell me to turn the drums up....I'm just doing my part to keep us tight.

[brandondrury]

From talking to your bandmates, it sounds like your system is working out great. I hear the crowd is digging it more too.

Young bands should take notice (although they probably won't). Practicing at reasonable levels will make your band WAY better.

Brandon

[Geisler]

How much did that electronic setup cost you?

[snoopy]

Originally Posted by Geisler

How much did that electronic setup cost you?

I have maybe $1500 or so invested.......be thrifty and build it over time piece by piece...look for deals!!!

[comwiz]

Most of this applies to all drummers, but new ones tend to make these mistakes the most:

Hearing protection is essential. I know too many drummers who have lost much of their hearing. Don't be afraid to drop a few dollars (or a few hundred if you're serious about it) to save something that is priceless.

Steadiness/consistency is more important than speed. Learning to play with a steady beat at a slow tempo will help improve playing at faster tempos anyways.

DO NOT get a double bass pedal before you have developed your primary foot's skills. If you can't play properly with one foot, what makes you think you can do it with two?