Playing too loud?

[Tamachild]

Just today, my guitarist and bassist said that in the event of a new show coming up, I need to "turn down my drumming". Now, my bassist, i woulde go anywhere with this guy, but our guitarist is an opionated prick. Not to mention their current amps aren't any higher than my knees. Normally, i play rock foot (basically using your toes on the pedals), instead of the jazz foot (full contact of pedal). I truly believe that drums is something you simply cannot play silent. Whats your take on this?

[jangus]

I believe drums are something that you can play quiet, and you have to play quiet, and you've got to learn how to play quiet if you plan on going anywhere with it.

[hungrypo]

drums are loud. that's part of the fun of them. but you should learn how to play dynamically. if they're asking you to play softer its probably because they have trouble hearing themselves and that's not good for anybody. if you're playing and you can't hear them then its up to you to learn to play quiter. that doesn't mean you need to sound wimpy, just more controlled. it is fun to play loud. but many times its only fun for the drummer and no one else.

[Raymond Bloom]

You should be able to play so quiet that you can hear people breathing in the audience and to play that loud so the roof is moving up and down!

I like that quote from John Bonham, when a tech started to move mic's a bit away because crashes were too loud. He sayd:''leave 'em where they are, I'll just play them softer''

[Shinx]

You definately need to learn dynamics, not just you, in general. You should be able to keep the volume down if thats where it need to be. Definately tell them to turn up if they can't hear it, even if thats not the problem, it could be a solution. It could be where you practice, depending on where it is the sound will be different, try another practice space or rearrange the instruements

If you really want to facilitate them and play softer, try using smaller sticks or hot rods, or even brushes if you want to be real quiet

[samthebeat]

people often moan at me for me for being load, i blame it my drumkit. Seriuosly play for the dymaics of the music, if your playing rock or metal and your rockin out you wanna be loud, on the other hand jazz and acouctic types of music you wanna be able to play very dynamically.

[Auger]

It's important to keep in mind that many amps which are no higher than your knees are way too loud for probably about 8 or 9 out of every ten small-mid sized rooms when turned all the way up. No matter how good the music is, people won't enjoy it if it's too loud.

But, don't get frustrated either -learning to play more quietly is difficult. My teacher put it the best I've ever heard when he said that playing the drums quietly is akin to using a waterfall to fill a martini glass.

go for the multi-rods (like the affore mentioned hot-rods) for a quick fix -but they're expensive and will wear out much quicker than sticks if you're still a really hard hitter -especially on cymbals and rimshots. there are also nylon ones that hold up better, but don't sound nearly as good. -just think of them as a temporary solution.

[Spreggy]

Tell you what Tamachild, learning to play dynamically made a huuuuuge difference in my playing, and I would recommend giving it serious consideration. The way I see it is each part of the song is supposed to do a certain thing or feature a specific voice. So let's say it's a guitar solo, or singer singing a verse, then it's time for a mid- or - low volume pocket for them to do their thing on top of. Or if it's a bridge that launches into the chorus and you want to build up, then build up!

The drums is a leadership position, it just is. The players are stuck with whatever dynamic level you put out there. If you're too loud during others' solos or singing, then they will be too loud too, and your band will sound like amateur hour, and they'll be frustrated because the drummer is too loud during solos and verses. But if you take good care of your bandmates by dictating the dynamics with taste and consideration for what they are doing, they'll trust you, and when you want to go off or solo you'll get their support.

Good luck!

[BIG_c]

i thought i'd bring this topic back, seeing as ive just been told that im a bit of a hard hitter myself. i can play softly but when i start playing faster, i play harder. any advice on this?

[Wavelength]

i can play softly but when i start playing faster, i play harder. any advice on this?

Open up your trusty copy of Stick Control, and play the exercises as quietly as possible. 30-60 minutes a day, seven days a week. You'll notice a great difference in a month.

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

Just today, my guitarist and bassist said that in the event of a new show coming up, I need to "turn down my drumming". Now, my bassist, i woulde go anywhere with this guy, but our guitarist is an opionated prick. Not to mention their current amps aren't any higher than my knees. Normally, i play rock foot (basically using your toes on the pedals), instead of the jazz foot (full contact of pedal). I truly believe that drums is something you simply cannot play silent. Whats your take on this?

The problem is not volume, it is more likely your branding a band member as an "opinionated *****". If you choose to listen to what he has to say, instead of being offended by it, you would just do as the other cats say, and shed low strokes. It's not rocket science, my friend. DPS

[Pete Stoltman]

Copy Spreggy's post and read it over about ten times before you go to your next rehearsal, gig, etc. Drums are an instrument. They are not inherently loud or soft on their own. It's the drummer that makes them loud or soft. You have ability to make the difference. If you play your instrument to enhance the music through appropriate use of dynamic volume you will not only be a better drummer but a better musician. If the other guys (who have the luxury of being able to simply "turn up" a volume knob) tell you that you're too loud it's a pretty safe bet that you ARE too loud. Learn how to control your volume using the appropriate implements. Rods, brushes, etc. may provide a temporary fix but it it's not the right implement for the song you are just yanking your own chain by leaning on that as a crutch. I love using those things but only if the song dictates that it's the sound I'm looking for in that piece.

[Big_Philly]

I notice that there is a certain minimal volume that I have to play in order to be able to do fast stuff. If you play soft, your sticks are just moving around slower. If you wanna get from drum to drum at a high speed, you need to move your arms, and thus your sticks along with them, pretty fast. It's very difficult to slow down your stick at that point.
And one time at a gig I was playing someone else's kit, and noticed that it would sound better played at medium to loud volumes, they would sound like plastic if I dropped the volume too far. We also practiced there, and that was a disaster. I was the only one with some experience, the rest were all rookies with just the bare minimum skills it took to play what we played, and they certainly weren't used to being on a stage. Using 10 or 20% of their own monitor power, they complained about me playing to loud... That pissed me off to the point that I forgot my Rutes out of spite. I just used 85A's, they are the lightest regular sticks that I have.

[jazzin']

If you're the only one with all the experience, shouldn't it be you realising that you might be too loud and to tone it down instead of guys with no experience telling you that you're too loud.

As for only being able to play at a certain volume because of speed. Really, you should be able to play faster when you play softer. Well, you should be able to play any speed at any volume. I don't get it.

[Pete Stoltman]

Jazzin is right on track. The goal is to be able to play whatever you want at any tempo and at any volume. Practice and experience (along with an open mind) are the keys.