I'm kinda like this in a way. If the band or client wants to see at least two rack toms on the bass drum, I can do that. The music determines much of what I bring. In my DEVO band, I have to have at least three toms. Most casuals I can get away with two. When I played with a metal band, I carried four toms and a double pedal, and even had a second bass drum ready should I need to go with that particular look. Having all that stuff doesn't distract me from my real job which is to provide good time for the band and the dancers, but I really like making do with just four drums alot of the time, because there's so much stuff you can say with just that. I mean, look at what Toots Theilemans and Stevie Wonder can say with a simple harmonica - just magic. Although I will admit, I can spot an amateur a mile away just by groove and note choices, so I highly recommend learning how to play really good on less first. Putting in the time playing for the band is much better spent than putting in the money to get more gear just because you can.That's the way I look at it. I play an 8 piece kit live, and it has never bothered me to move it for shows or recording. Yes it's more work, but that's part of the job for the type of music I enjoy playing. It also keeps you in shape.
Same here, it is just what I and my rock/metal friends are used to when playing that style. And I have never been told by anybody that I have to use that type of kit, it just kinda says itself, in how I like to play the drums in that music and how I like to look onstage. Small kits work to keep the groove, but don't offer much more to me. (Try playing Annihilator - Alison Hell, which is one of our covers right now on a 4 piece for example. Sure, I can make it work somehow but it wouldn't be close to as fun or rewarding to me, it would just feel restrictive). Of course just keeping the groove is the main focus to a lot of other styles. But I like to have a big sound pallate with different toms you can incorporate different fills to, as well as more cymbal sounds. Small kits just feels restrictive in a bad way to me. But then again, metal music is supposed to be "over the top" both sonically and visually, so I guess you can say it all depends on the situation. Just a bit weird to me to see a "pro" metal drummer with a small 4 piece kit, I can barely name one to be honest... But yeah, I realise that I (and a few others here) are in the minority when it comes to genre, so I will slowly step out of this thread, which I guess is mainly for the drummers that play out with small instead of big kits ?... but it is just b/c it is the world all of the members live in, not because of a wardrobe person making the calls..
Same here, it is just what I and my rock/metal friends are used to when playing that style. And I have never been told by anybody that I have to use that type of kit, it just kinda says itself, in how I like to play the drums in that music and how I like to look onstage. Small kits work to keep the groove, but don't offer much more to me. (Try playing Annihilator - Alison Hell, which is one of our covers right now on a 4 piece for example. Sure, I can make it work somehow but it wouldn't be close to as fun or rewarding to me, it would just feel restrictive). Of course just keeping the groove is the main focus to a lot of other styles. But I like to have a big sound pallate with different toms you can incorporate different fills to, as well as more cymbal sounds. Small kits just feels restrictive in a bad way to me. But then again, metal music is supposed to be "over the top" both sonically and visually, so I guess you can say it all depends on the situation. Just a bit weird to me to see a "pro" metal drummer with a small 4 piece kit, I can barely name one to be honest... But yeah, I realise that I (and a few others here) are in the minority when it comes to genre, so I will slowly step out of this thread, which I guess is mainly for the drummers that play out with small instead of big kits ?
Same here, it is just what I and my rock/metal friends are used to when playing that style. And I have never been told by anybody that I have to use that type of kit, it just kinda says itself, in how I like to play the drums in that music and how I like to look onstage. Small kits work to keep the groove, but don't offer much more to me. (Try playing Annihilator - Alison Hell, which is one of our covers right now on a 4 piece for example. Sure, I can make it work somehow but it wouldn't be close to as fun or rewarding to me, it would just feel restrictive). Of course just keeping the groove is the main focus to a lot of other styles. But I like to have a big sound pallate with different toms you can incorporate different fills to, as well as more cymbal sounds. Small kits just feels restrictive in a bad way to me. But then again, metal music is supposed to be "over the top" both sonically and visually, so I guess you can say it all depends on the situation. Just a bit weird to me to see a "pro" metal drummer with a small 4 piece kit, I can barely name one to be honest... But yeah, I realise that I (and a few others here) are in the minority when it comes to genre, so I will slowly step out of this thread, which I guess is mainly for the drummers that play out with small instead of big kits ?
What's not to get? I actually get paid to do this. So it's a simple client relationship to me. I'm there to make people happy since it's their dime. If I was doing it out of the goodness of my heart and compassion for the human condition, then sure I'll play what I want, gear-wise. The fact that I'd be doing it for free would also mean I don't have a garage full of different stuff to use anyway, so they get what they get.I've read a few comments about using what the music/situation calls for regardless of how much it sucks having to move it, I respect and relate to that. What I don't get are the comments about "what the band tells me to use" or "what look I'm hired for" for example... I've been playing in live original bands for 20 years and the day I would let any of those jokers tell me what gear to use is the day they decide to actually start paying me.
I just quit a band after 3.5 years because I was accused of not being "passionate" anymore even though I let the singer lie and steal money the entire time and not pay me a dime. A few times he tried to tell me what I "should" use... I said, "I don't write your melodies or lyrics so eat a D"
What's not to get? I actually get paid to do this. So it's a simple client relationship to me. I'm there to make people happy since it's their dime. If I was doing it out of the goodness of my heart and compassion for the human condition, then sure I'll play what I want, gear-wise. The fact that I'd be doing it for free would also mean I don't have a garage full of different stuff to use anyway, so they get what they get.