What Bands Look For In A Drummer

1. Don't be late!
When you are late for a gig you get labeled as unreliable. If you are ever late or are going to be late, make certain you call the leader and explain the circumstances, and apologize for the inconvenience you are causing other affected parties. When you are late you are wasting valuable set-up, sound check, and practice time. The easiest way to ensure you are on time is to plan to be 30 minutes early.

2. Know the music
Listen and learn all the music for the gig you are playing at. If you are playing all original and un-recorded music than you should listen to the artists previous recordings and get a feel for what style of drumming they like.

3. KISS - "Keep it simple stupid."
Don't think that you need to show everyone how fast you can move around the kit. Most leaders are more concerned with "groove". If the song has no groove it becomes very hard to listen to for the crowd and even harder for the other musicians to play with.

4. Attitude
Always express how happy and excited you are to play with whomever you are playing with. If the leader thinks that playing with him is a burden to you he will not call you anymore. Get to know your fellow musicians who you are sharing the stage with. Even if you don't like some of them you must be nice. You want to build a good relationship with everyone.

5. Playing with a click
You must know how to play with a click. You don't want to have to stop in the middle of the song because the drummer can't keep the beat. I do not recommend playing every song with a click. When you are comfortable playing with a click then you can focus more on groove and not be worried about staying on time with the click.

6. Playing what they want
Sometimes you will have to play a groove that you think doesn't suit the song. You might be playing a groove that the leader tells you he doesn't like and asks you to play something else. Instead of throwing your sticks at him and telling him where to put them I recommend just playing the song the way they want it. You can play whatever you want when you go home at the end of the night with your paycheck. You can also pay the rent the too.

7. Monster Kit
I am a big kit type of guy, but it doesn't always work with every circumstance. Don't plan on taking up the whole stage with your huge ass kit. If you know that there is a big stage with lots of channels for mics and lots of room for other musicians than fly at it. However, if there is limited space then bring a smaller kit. The sound guys will love you more too.

8. Sensitivity
Don't play so loud! This is a mistake that too many drummers make. If the leader cannot hear his guitar or vocal and his monitor is cranked then there is a problem. Listen to the sound in the room and then you can make a decision about how you are going to play or what type of sticks you are going to use. It works both ways, I have been told to play quieter and I have also been told to play louder. Of course I like it way more when they say "LOUDER!", but don't get your hopes up...You should be able to play the drums with dynamics.

9. Memory
If you cannot remember all of the 2/4 bars, 7/8 bars, and 15/16 bars along with all the other parts that leaders want to add to their songs - you must write it down. There is nothing worse than going through a part of a song in practice if you just forget it when it comes time to play it in front of a crowd. If you do, your only hope is that you have an understanding leader. I hate the nasty looks from the head honcho after I miss a important part.

10. Play for fun, not for money
Everyone has to make a living, and I am not saying to just play every gig for free. However, that cannot be the only motivation for you playing the gig. If a leader senses that you are just in it for the money he is not going to want you back. Only ask for the check right when you are about to leave. Do not ask for payment prior to playing the gig.

Follow these guidelines and you're sure to have improved success in seeking regular gigs. With any luck you'll form some great relationships along the way. Good luck!

15 Drum Tips

1.Listen to "all" styles of music. This boosts your creativity on the drums and makes you more aware of how to approach these styles if you ever confront them in your band.

2. Warming up before a gig or rehearsals. This is terribly underestimated. Spend 20 to 30 minutes warming up with drum rudiments and related sticking exercises. Practice them with music playing through a MP3 or Ipod. It's a great motivator and you'll be very loose when you get ready to play.

3. Singles and Doubles. Drum rudiments are made up of doubles and singles. Learn to play these as cleanly, evenly, and correctly as possible. Do the same with doubles. They make up all the rest! Practice and master this on the drums and you'll find everything else comes a lot easier. This applies to those that play the rock band game too!

4. Study a melodic instrument (not just drumset). This will give you a valuable understanding of harmony, chord structure and overall music theory. You can then be more involved in the arranging of your band's songs. You can also write your own drum charts more efficiently.

5. Videotape yourself playing drums. You will be amazed at what you can learn from this. Everything from that stupid look on your face while your playing the drums, to the snare drum that's tilted at a 45 degree angle.

6.Drummers get a lot of flack. We get blamed for tempo fluctuations, etc. Many other musicians have never even practiced with a metronome, but they'll often be the first to speak up about it. Take the time to talk to your bandmates about the importance of their contribution to timekeeping.

7.Try to practice drums 20 minutes instead of 2 hours. This is a little self-applied psychological trick that really works! After 20 minutes, you usually feel propelled to practice much longer anyway. You want drumming to be fresh and exciting, not dreaded.

8.Diplomacy is everything! If you disagree with your fellow musicians about something, bite your tongue! Keep your cool and approach the matter patiently and with great thought before you speak. Don't burn any bridges by saying the wrong things. You just might have to walk back over those bridges one day.

9.Protect your ears! We can't stress this enough. Most musicians take this for granted. Buy a good set of ear plugs and start using them, especially while you practice. Drums are quite loud and ongoing exposure is detrimental.

10.After a drum lesson, go home and practice any drum beats, grooves, or fills right away on the drums while it's still fresh in your head. Otherwise you tend to forget a lot of what you learned. Take lessons seriously. You're spending money so pay attention, take notes, make charts, organize your drum lessons, tape the lessons, and anything else you can think of to make the most out of it.

11. Beginning drummers always want to learn fancy drum beats and drum fills right away. But you must crawl before you can walk. Take the time to get the basics down real good on the drums and then you can tackle the more challenging stuff.

12.Ergonomics: The physical aspect of your playing (posture, how you hit) has a lot more to do with your playing than you think. When you are properly balanced, you have a center, and when you are centered you can move more freely and relaxed without any wasted motion.

13.Roll your drumsticks on a flat countertop before buying them. This way you'll know if you're getting a straight pair.

14.Myth: Drummers get all the chicks. Not true ... Singers do! All the more reason to be a singing drummer, huh?

15.Myth:Lars Ulrich is the greatest drummer in the world. Fact: It's actually Ringo Starr(drummer from Beatles).

www.drumtips.com

Best drummers in 2009

In fiecare an, cea mai citita revista de specialitate din lume, Modern Drummer, organizeaza celebrul sondaj printre cititorii ei cu privire la cei mai bun tobosari.
Rezultatele pentru 2009 au fost urmatoarele:

HALL OF FAME - Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience, RIP)

ROCK
1.Todd Sucherman (Styx,The Spinal Tap)
2.Neil Peart (Rush)
3.Xavier Muriel (Buckcherry)
4.Daniel Adair (Nickelback)
5.Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers,Chickenfoot,Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats)

METAL
1.Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
2.Tommy Clufetos (Rob Zombie,Alice Cooper)
3.Chris Adler (Lamb of God)
4.Tommy Haake (Meshuggah)
5.Joey Jordison (Slipknot)

PUNK
1.Travis Barker (Blink 182)
2.Tré Cool (Green Day)
3.Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle,Nine Inch Nails,Guns'N'Roses)
4.Pat Thetic (Anti Flag)
5.Brooks Wackerman (Bad Religion,Tenacious D)

PROGRESSIVE1.Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree,King Crimson)
2.Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater)
3.Neil Peart (Rush)
4.Danny Carey (Tool)
5.Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta)

ALL AROUND 1.Keith Carlock (Sting,Dan Steely)
2.Steve Smith (Vital Information,Mariah Carey,Savage Garden)
3.Vinnie Colaiuta (Frank Zappa,Bill Evans)
4.Dennis Chambers (Santana,John McLaughlin)
5.Steve Gadd (Eric Clapton,Joe Cocker,Ray Charles)

R&B/HIP HOP
1.Amir Questlove Thompson (The Roots,Jay Z)
2.Aaron Spears (Usher,Alicia Keys,American Idol Tour)
3.John Blackwell (Prince,Justin Timberlake,P. Diddy)
4.Teddy Campbell (Britney Spears,Backstreet Boys,Christina Aguilera)
5.Tony Royster Jr. (En Vogue,New Flava)

POP: 1.Keith Carlock
2.Rodney Howard (Avril Lavigne)
3.Kenny Aronoff (Lynyrd Skynyrd,Smashing Pumpkins,Meatloaf)
4.Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews Band)
5.Vinnie Colaiuta

TRADITIONAL JAZZ:
1.Peter Erskine (Weather Report,Diana Krall)
2.Jeff Hamilton (Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie Orchestra)
3.Bill Stewart
4.Roy Haynes (Ray Charles,Chick Corea)
5.Jack DeJonette (Miles Davis,Mike Stern,Joe Zawinul)