Thoughts on playing with a light touch

W

Will67

New Member
It seems like hitting very hard is the norm nowadays,outside of Jazz perhaps.I recently filled in with a Country/Oldies band,and I was told ahead of time that they had no patience with loud drummers.I wanted to make a good impression, so I was determined to play with a very soft touch.At first it felt odd,like I was barely touching the drums,but by midway through the night,I adjusted to it.I found that I actually enjoyed playing lightly.The music went over just as well, I found that I had more finesse at that low volume,and the band was happy! So,I was wondering will that work in general? Drums will always be heard,especially if they are miked.Is there any detriment to playing lightly?I hope to hear some other thoughts on this.
 
"I see no detriment"
well you don't want to play too soft if the music is moving
you don't want to be "wrong" but
Overall "there no reason (I want to see) to Scare the Goats"
constantly
 
One of the reasons I've been steadily employed by some of the better players in my region, is because none of my employers need to tell me to reduce my actual drumming volume. Dynamics really ARE an actual thing! Lightening your touch opens up different avenues of approach.
It also proves that you listen well and can play appropriately. Avoiding excessively forceful play will also increase the amount of years that you're
physically ABLE to play. Don't get me wrong, I DEFINITELY enjoy going full-on SEISMIC when the music calls for it, but sometimes playing fast or intense music QUIETLY is an interesting and rewarding challenge
 
that's why I like the guy; I like him on a personal listening to him speak level but I block out his playing to the point I can't even think of his name..
 
I love being a drummer with diverse abilities (or at the very least constantly pursuing that goal). To that end, I love low volume gigs & practices when they are required. Playing at low volume but still with energy is a skill, takes practice and really helps my dynamics at all over all volume levels.
 
I go-to volume is “medium quiet.” When I have to play quiet for a gig, it’s a minute adjustment. When I have to bash for a gig, I get to cut loose.

There is no lack of energy, excitement, emotion, or movement that is determined by your volume. If there is, it just means you aren’t comfortable at that volume level…yet.

I will say, however, that gear selection plays a big role in how you sound at various volumes. I tend to play lighter cymbals that open up at low volumes, smaller drums that speak and project better at low volumes, and with a touch that focuses more on drawing sounds from the instruments rather than beating the sound out of them. It works for me. When I play loud gigs, I have my gear that can perform while taking a literal beating. 🤣
 
Well, the “loud, brash” metal guy helps sell drums to todays youth - I don’t think I’ve ever seen an ad in Modern Drummer featuring a guy that appears professional and plays quietly. That wouldn’t grab that 12-year-old kids attention who’s been listening to Meshuggah.

But JR Robinson said that “the drum will only get so loud” - meaning even if you can beat the crap out of it, it won’t get any louder and will probably sound worse anyway. So appearing to play loud is better than actually physically doing it. A lot of people have even told me John Bonham never hit as hard as it looked, and I believe that. It was all tuning and technique and appearance.

So I am of the “medium” crowd as I get older. I still pound when appropriate, but my kit just sounds better and full when I “play” it.
 
Will67 said:
It seems like hitting very hard is the norm nowadays,outside of Jazz perhaps.I recently filled in with a Country/Oldies band,and I was told ahead of time that they had no patience with loud drummers.I wanted to make a good impression, so I was determined to play with a very soft touch.At first it felt odd,like I was barely touching the drums,but by midway through the night,I adjusted to it.I found that I actually enjoyed playing lightly.The music went over just as well, I found that I had more finesse at that low volume,and the band was happy! So,I was wondering will that work in general? Drums will always be heard,especially if they are miked.Is there any detriment to playing lightly?I hope to hear some other thoughts on this.
Click to expand...
The only detriment to playing lightly is losing or not having the ability to play loudly - players have to practice both. That's great that your gig went well - definitely easier to have more finesse at low volumes - the trick is to play lower dynamic levels while still maintaining the required intensity for the music.
 
Bo Eder said:
Well, the “loud, brash” metal guy helps sell drums to todays youth - I don’t think I’ve ever seen an ad in Modern Drummer featuring a guy that appears professional and plays quietly. That wouldn’t grab that 12-year-old kids attention who’s been listening to Meshuggah.

But JR Robinson said that “the drum will only get so loud” - meaning even if you can beat the crap out of it, it won’t get any louder and will probably sound worse anyway. So appearing to play loud is better than actually physically doing it. A lot of people have even told me John Bonham never hit as hard as it looked, and I believe that. It was all tuning and technique and appearance.

So I am of the “medium” crowd as I get older. I still pound when appropriate, but my kit just sounds better and full when I “play”
Click to expand...

Bo Eder said:
Well, the “loud, brash” metal guy helps sell drums to todays youth - I don’t think I’ve ever seen an ad in Modern Drummer featuring a guy that appears professional and plays quietly. That wouldn’t grab that 12-year-old kids attention who’s been listening to Meshuggah.

But JR Robinson said that “the drum will only get so loud” - meaning even if you can beat the crap out of it, it won’t get any louder and will probably sound worse anyway. So appearing to play loud is better than actually physically doing it. A lot of people have even told me John Bonham never hit as hard as it looked, and I believe that. It was all tuning and technique and appearance.

So I am of the “medium” crowd as I get older. I still pound when appropriate, but my kit just sounds better and full when I “play” it.
Click to expand...
The only drummer I can of think of who consistently played pretty mellow was Paul English,Willie Nelson's drummer of many years.
 
mikyok said:
Being too quiet all the time is as bad as being too loud. One thing really overlooked is being able to play with dynamics.

I like to give myself room to maneuver although the room usually dictates everything
Click to expand...
I've been playing music for almost 30 years and the only times I can ever think of where the drums weren't loud enough was situations where you'd need to mic them up anyway and "hitting hard" isn't going to make a lick of difference and would likely just choke the sound of a drum in the mics anyway.
 
Dr_Watso said:
I've been playing music for almost 30 years and the only times I can ever think of where the drums weren't loud enough was situations where you'd need to mic them up anyway and "hitting hard" isn't going to make a lick of difference and would likely just choke the sound of a drum in the mics anyway.
Click to expand...
It's more of a feel thing for me.
 
I need to play at least hard enough to get the sound I want at the upper end of dynamics.
You know that sound from tom accents you can't get from drum heads below a certain velocity.
 
Last edited:
I always played loudly and when I tried to dial it down, I couldn't.

I decided to go back to lesson one, using trad grip and a light touch. That has really paid off. Matched grip is still my default when playing, but trad is my default when practicing, and that seems to be a good combination for developing a lighter touch.

I'm not seeing any downside. When I play loudly, my touch seems to have improved, and my playing is a bit more expressive.
 
Last edited:
Dr_Watso said:
I play as loud as I need to or as loud as sounds good in a given room. Guys who categorically "always hit hard" are frankly annoying in a few ways. Lack of dynamic control or volume awareness is not a good thing.
Click to expand...

same....I joined a small jazz band on purpose to secure my soft playing abilities. There are many times where we are told to play more aggresive actually...esp on mic'd stages. But we mainly play dinner, old folks homes, and "event background noise" gigs, so quiet is a staple
 
I've never been a basher..playing forcefully? yes but even then with a throttle. Coming up listening to Russ Kunkell especially live with Linda Ronstadt on Cost of love.. truly hit me on how being in charge yet tastefully laid back can be a very powerful thing. That has been with me always.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top