yammyfan
Senior Member
In terms of the music, no matter how cliché it sounds, you have to serve the song. Pros expect their fellow pros to be seasoned enough to know what works. It mostly comes from experience, but a good ear will tell you what kind of parts, fills and dynamics work best for a given song that sounds like another song you're familiar with. In other words, if it worked once it will work twice. Or three times. That's not being too lazy, or playing inside the box - it's doing what works (serving the song.) Unless of course you're going to singlehandedly revolutionize drumming!
There's a personality dynamic. Be a good bandmate. No serious arguments or any attitude that makes you undesirable. There are plenty of other drummers to take your place. Don't give them a chance.
And there's general pro behavior: show up early for rehearsals and gigs (if you're on time, you're already late.) Keep your gear sounding its best, and bring only what you know you'll need. Don't pick and choose gigs, do every one you can. Pros work because they don't say no unless they can't say yes.
Bermuda
Thanks, Jon. I was hoping to hear what you had to say.
You'll see from an earlier response that serving the song is indeed high on my list of priorities. I'm relieved to hear that taking cues from songs that "work" is a legitimate strategy as it is something I've always done. I admire Stuart Copeland for what's he's done but I'm no Stuart Copeland!
Those other qualities you describe are certainly things that are within my control and my great hope is that demonstrating enough of those qualities will buy me time as I grow into the position. At some point "do" will become more important than "try" but as long as I'm reasonably proficient and easy to work with, I think that I've got a shot at sticking with these guys.
Really appreciate the response!