I think it’s less to do with being a drummer and more to do with your overall contribution along with the other members of the band you’re in.
If you’re not contributing an awful lot then it’s not unexpected that you’ll be thought of as less important.
If you are contributing a lot and the other members view you as less important then that’s a problem with their attitude.
On top of that we all have different drivers, some wouldn’t even notice or care about being sidelined, others need to be told they’re important.
As has been suggested, try singing backing vocals. I let a prima donna guitarist in a previous band do the backings because he needed the spotlight, he was an awful singer. A few years later the band reformed without him and I stepped up, the remarks from the other lads were along the lines of “why on earth weren’t you doing this all along?” . The singer from my other band came to our first gig and grabbed me in the break, why wasn’t I doing the BV’s in our band? Similiar reason, the guitarists were out front and just assumed the responsibility.
Listen to discussions and learn. I don’t read or write music and have no training but I’ve used my ears and my head and know what tuning up or down a step or half a step does. If something sounds wrong you be the one to suggest the key change or the stop or The breakdown.
If you’re playing covers or originals think about “composition” and suggest endings for songs that otherwise fade out.
Make yourself important. In my two bands the bass player books the majority of gigs, I’m close behind him, I can count on the fingers of one hand the gigs everyone else brings in. It’s not a criticism but they know what I bring to the table, we’re all friends so there’s no ego contests going on, but if it was more of a business relationship they would know what they’re losing if I went.
Last night I found a programme called Microsoft Publisher on my laptop. Within half an hour I’d shared poster ideas for the band that we’d be proud to distribute straight away. This was partly borne out of a recent line up change which meant our posters were out of date plus our supply is down to almost zero so the job had to be done because the member who’d left was the “poster guy” I’m not a technical wiz, it really was easy.
And out of all of the above, even if no one shows appreciation, at least you in your own heart will know that you’re bringing more than your share to the table which will help your self esteem. If the worst were to happen you bring all of your composition, booking, media skills to a new band who might be knocked out by you.
If you’re not contributing an awful lot then it’s not unexpected that you’ll be thought of as less important.
If you are contributing a lot and the other members view you as less important then that’s a problem with their attitude.
On top of that we all have different drivers, some wouldn’t even notice or care about being sidelined, others need to be told they’re important.
As has been suggested, try singing backing vocals. I let a prima donna guitarist in a previous band do the backings because he needed the spotlight, he was an awful singer. A few years later the band reformed without him and I stepped up, the remarks from the other lads were along the lines of “why on earth weren’t you doing this all along?” . The singer from my other band came to our first gig and grabbed me in the break, why wasn’t I doing the BV’s in our band? Similiar reason, the guitarists were out front and just assumed the responsibility.
Listen to discussions and learn. I don’t read or write music and have no training but I’ve used my ears and my head and know what tuning up or down a step or half a step does. If something sounds wrong you be the one to suggest the key change or the stop or The breakdown.
If you’re playing covers or originals think about “composition” and suggest endings for songs that otherwise fade out.
Make yourself important. In my two bands the bass player books the majority of gigs, I’m close behind him, I can count on the fingers of one hand the gigs everyone else brings in. It’s not a criticism but they know what I bring to the table, we’re all friends so there’s no ego contests going on, but if it was more of a business relationship they would know what they’re losing if I went.
Last night I found a programme called Microsoft Publisher on my laptop. Within half an hour I’d shared poster ideas for the band that we’d be proud to distribute straight away. This was partly borne out of a recent line up change which meant our posters were out of date plus our supply is down to almost zero so the job had to be done because the member who’d left was the “poster guy” I’m not a technical wiz, it really was easy.
And out of all of the above, even if no one shows appreciation, at least you in your own heart will know that you’re bringing more than your share to the table which will help your self esteem. If the worst were to happen you bring all of your composition, booking, media skills to a new band who might be knocked out by you.