scalpy Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 Being bit of an odd job player I get to play with plenty of different drummers. Most are of a good standard and have an impressive cv and qualifications from significant colleges, yet some do just don't cut it and swing like a concrete lamp post, despite everything being technically ok. You know, in time, comfortable volume, nice kit etc but it just ain't happening. One guy I play with however does everything the same to a casual listen but grooves so hard I'll be buzzing the whole day after a gig. The drummer who always has the room dancing and going crazy- the guy who's never done a minutes private practice in his life and is probably the least educated of any musician I've ever played with. So what is it that makes a good drummer, I can't work it out by myself!? Musicianship, a very hard thing to define.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 [quote name='scalpy' timestamp='1403898427' post='2487595'] Being bit of an odd job player I get to play with plenty of different drummers. Most are of a good standard and have an impressive cv and qualifications from significant colleges, yet some do just don't cut it and swing like a concrete lamp post, despite everything being technically ok. You know, in time, comfortable volume, nice kit etc but it just ain't happening. One guy I play with however does everything the same to a casual listen but grooves so hard I'll be buzzing the whole day after a gig. The drummer who always has the room dancing and going crazy- the guy who's never done a minutes private practice in his life and is probably the least educated of any musician I've ever played with. So what is it that makes a good drummer, I can't work it out by myself!? Musicianship, a very hard thing to define.... [/quote] When you find out, let me know and I'll have whatever he/she's having. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4-string-thing Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 In my experience, the smaller the kit, the better the drummer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 I guess I'm blessed. Ryan from Generations is the perfect drummer! Tight as a nun's chuff, very fast, powerful (loud) but controlled! Never heard him make a mistake but he's very humble and picks out mistakes that even a fussy git like me doesn't notice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 [quote name='4-string-thing' timestamp='1403898849' post='2487602'] In my experience, the smaller the kit, the better the drummer! [/quote] I sort of know where you are coming from I was depping last weekend, the band that were on before us had a very very efficient drummer, rock solid, grooving, nice swinging feel and didn't break a sweat. Oh and a little kit. The Drummer in the band I was with is damned fine as well but with a bigger kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 Time, tempo, groove and killer chops... and the nous to know when to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ticktock Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 A brilliant drummer is like a unicorn's neigh. Bloody magic when you hear one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damonjames Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 In my limited playing experience I have been lucky enough to play with some ambsolutlely Belting drummers, and I hadn't notice before, but they all played fusion kits (one kick, one up and one down and a snare) so there might be something in that. Obviously keeping time is essential, but my current drummer, along chewing all the essential boxes, and bloody loud, his biggest attribute is that he is keenly aware if what the rest of us, and more importantly me (selfishly of coarse) are doing. If I'm watching the hats/ride and snare for my timing cues, he is burning a hole though where my right hand is and looking for my tells of what I'm going to do. He is more aware of my playing than I am, and helps to make us a great (IMHO) rhythm section. Also he is not a complete fruit and nut bar like Most of the drummers out there, so start with one you can have a laugh with and work on the rest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damonjames Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 [quote name='Ticktock' timestamp='1403900291' post='2487625'] A brilliant drummer is like a unicorn's neigh. Bloody magic when you hear one. [/quote] Haha, that tickled me!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 (edited) I've never found the perfect drummer yet. Some can swing but aren't tight and others are tight but can't swing. I play in a ska band and a blues, swing, jump jive, rockabilly type band. The ones who are good at ska can't swing and the ones who can swing can't play ska. The really good drummers all seem to be playing in wedding bands to pay for the mortgage. Meanwhile we continue to go through drummers like Katie Price goes through husbands and like it says on my avatar, however good you are, in reality 'you're only as good as yer drummer!'. Edited June 27, 2014 by gjones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 A natural ability to groove and more importantly, knowing what the song requires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 Cannabis! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntLockyer Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 Age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 [quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1403902167' post='2487661'] Age. [/quote] I think our drummer is 19, there are good ones out there will all their teethz honest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntLockyer Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 I don't doubt it. I'm not sure if it is age or a combination of experience and giving a sh*t about other people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 The recipe for a good drummer is talent, intelligence and taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1403908610' post='2487744'] The recipe for a good drummer is talent, intelligence and taste. [/quote] Why, thank you, kind sir..! Pray, where have we met..? ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 Age and experience have nothing to do with it imo. A good drummer is one who has the right feel for the style / type of music that he is playing at the time. I tried out with a bunch of guys last night (all in their sixties I'd guess) as I'm trying to put a Blues Band around a quality female singer I know. The drummer who has played all his life, done pit work etc and is now a drum teacher at the local music shop could not play in a Blues style to save his life. He was in front of the groove the whole night on every different style. We'd picked one song out of six that was a shuffle, he sounded like a 10 year old three weeks after picking up the sticks. Back to the drawing board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 I believe that it helps if they are friendly. The best drummers I ever played with were all incredibly nice people. I think it helps them give a sh*t about the whole song, about the whole band. Obviously you get friendly drummers that are crap, but then I would rather play with a friendly one that wasn't perfect than a perfect one that was a dick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 (edited) 10% experience 10% feel 20% character 60% Van Edited June 28, 2014 by Roland Rock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 [quote name='scalpy' timestamp='1403898427' post='2487595'] Most are of a good standard and have an impressive cv and qualifications from significant colleges, yet some do just don't cut it and swing like a concrete lamp post [/quote] Musical qualifications are very much like any trade paper, yes the person in question will have a lot of technical knowledge, but it won't tell you if a carpenter or bricklayer has a good eye for detail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scalpy Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 Interesting stuff. I totally agree about them being nice people, and I've experienced the local legends with the great cv who can't groove for toffee. One guy sounds exactly like the case above, reads, experienced, but the band just doesn't go and I end up over working the rhythm to compensate. Not sure about the necessity for killer chops, Thinking of someone like Phil Rudd he doesn't exactly cane it but the pocket is massive. Something I do agree with is the best drummers are always in the right gear for the section of the song and can still groove quietly if necessary. Oh, and have great touch on the cymbals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Local 'legends' round here have Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, AC/DC, Texas, Take That and a gazillion others on their CV's so there is no chance that one of them wouldn't fit your bill... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 WD-40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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