I've got first hearing

[Siarhei Kuchuk]

Hi.

I've got first hearing in first band after studuing drums for couple years as a hobby 2 days ago.

Basically band was playing their different songs. They went through their songs one by one and wanted me to play something that looks cool with song, i.e. jam. And there were no sheet music for drums. As for me I used to print sheet music and play it. Also guyus themselves have sheets with notes for guitars.
2 from 3 guys on jam were playing drums in the past and showed that they can do something better from scratch comparing to me, trying to make easy grooves on the spot. Also they told me that i'm slowing down tempo although i did not notice it.

So i have questions:
1) is it worth to switch to random music without drums and try to practice with creating music on the spot - like switching from playing sheet music to other - as a general practice
2) what helps with jamming, i did it as kind of first time.
Any other thoughts are also welcome.

Thanks

 

[moodman]

Play every chance you get. You will do things right and do things wrong but, as you play you will gain information and experience to fix what is wrong and expand what is right. When playing with others, LISTEN to the music and keep the same volume and tempo (helps me to 'dance' a little to the music, keeps my time even) remember that we have to walk before we run, mistakes and tentative playing are just steps on the way to playing how you wish to.

 

[lefty2]

Try to find some open jams at bars and clubs near you and go to those and try to play along with others. Bring your sticks be kind to everyone and try to just play whatever seems right at the time, and keep it simple.

 

[GetAgrippa]

Record yourself playing to drumless tracks. Just play to one you’ve never heard and see how long it takes you to find pulse cold intuitively, then listen intently and play again recording with purpose. When you record yourself you’ll see f time is dragging or anything else then fix it. Doing it cold tells you about your song intuition- certain genres you can feel where/ changes occur. You’ll be amazed what you become aware of in process. How it sounds, your technique, and where you need to focus.

 

[Bozozoid]

Good answers you guys. I was afraid to reply. I thought..ill wait until the cavalry gets here..and they showed up!.

 

[Siarhei Kuchuk]

Play every chance you get. You will do things right and do things wrong but, as you play you will gain information and experience to fix what is wrong and expand what is right. When playing with others, LISTEN to the music and keep the same volume and tempo (helps me to 'dance' a little to the music, keeps my time even) remember that we have to walk before we run, mistakes and tentative playing are just steps on the way to playing how you wish to.

Thanks.

 

[Siarhei Kuchuk]

Record yourself playing to drumless tracks. Just play to one you’ve never heard and see how long it takes you to find pulse cold intuitively, then listen intently and play again recording with purpose. When you record yourself you’ll see f time is dragging or anything else then fix it. Doing it cold tells you about your song intuition- certain genres you can feel where/ changes occur. You’ll be amazed what you become aware of in process. How it sounds, your technique, and where you need to focus.

I'll try to do it. Probably I need to know it bewever i initially thought that playing something would be enough. And now I see I need to understand styles of music and be capable of creating at least something simple that will fit in.

 

[Otto]

You can try to tap into the natural and developed language skills you have instilled since birth by saying something out loud then trying to reproduce what you said on the set.

This abstraction exercise will engage different parts of your brain(language) in conceptualizing your drum parts.

(hurrah for neurolinguistics)

 

[PorkPieGuy]

So i have questions:
1) is it worth to switch to random music without drums and try to practice with creating music on the spot - like switching from playing sheet music to other - as a general practice

I'm not sure what it's like where you are, but no one around here uses sheet music for anything when it comes to bands. It's mainly a lot of listening and learning on your own or as a band.

2) what helps with jamming, i did it as kind of first time.

Nothing really; you just have to get in there and do it. Work together and find a groove and start there. I NEVER start a groove - I always let the bass or the guitar start, and I try to get a feel for it and ease my way in. If the groove feels right, I just jump in.

Any other thoughts are also welcome.

Thanks

As mentioned before, play with as many people as you can. Do your best to fit into the music these guys are playing. Try to conform to what they are doing. At this point, don't lead...just follow. This is how you land gigs.

 

[JohnYa]

Well done on getting the hearing with the band. As far as I can tell, you’re more familiar with reading sheet music but they’re much more improvisational. That’s a cool challenge.

To start, jam and listen one has to crib the beat, feel the rhythm and begin slowly. Oooops let’s not forget the mistakes now as this is half the fun when using this app. And use metronome for practicing so as to enhance the rhythms.