You never had a guy sing you a part to play and then you jot it down really quick to remember it? I admit yeah, if you want specifics, then chart it out. But at the same time, you should be able to take dictation. When I got to chat with studio great Ndugu Chancellor, I asked him how he did those Michael Jackson dates with Quincy Jones producing, and he said Quincy would sing what he wanted for fills or what not, and Ndugu would jot them down on a yellow pad. The red goes on, he plays it back, then they move on to the next one. No pressure ?Unless they're handing me sheet music, I do not do note for note. I might do note for note for some important licks here and there, but that's about it. I will adopt the general 'feel' that the other drummer did, so its the same idea. But as I'm an improv player for the most part, even my stuff changes from runthrough to runthrough.
If the band wants me to play it note for note, I need them to write out the parts in notation. That I can learn without too much trouble. If they won't do that, and they still demand it, they can find another drummer.
If they expect a carbon copy of the other drummer's feel and chops, re-think the deal.
You never had a guy sing you a part to play and then you jot it down really quick to remember it? I admit yeah, if you want specifics, then chart it out. But at the same time, you should be able to take dictation. When I got to chat with studio great Ndugu Chancellor, I asked him how he did those Michael Jackson dates with Quincy Jones producing, and he said Quincy would sing what he wanted for fills or what not, and Ndugu would jot them down on a yellow pad. The red goes on, he plays it back, then they move on to the next one. No pressure ?
Add me to the list. If it doesn't fit, I don't do it. Big bucks don't take the edge off being uncomfortable. BTDT.First, find out what it pays. ?
I know very few musicians who can turn down work on principle.
Since this was an open and hypothetical question
I want to answer too please
If the last drummer was spectacular, I just straight up wouldn't be able to recreate his parts and would have to make it my own.
I wanted to add this response because I think that it does actually happen that way sometimes, for whatever reason (good looks, nepotism, history, whatever,) and if one of us gets the call and listens to the old practice "tapes" and thinks, "I can't play that!" He might ought to go ahead and give it a try anyway, it might just work out.
First, find out what it pays. ?
I know very few musicians who can turn down work on principle.
Ask them. I got a gig with a great player and wood-shedded his tunes, wrote out a book of his arrangements.You have just joined a new (to you) band. Their last drummer was spectacular. He went on vacation and never came back. The band only plays originals, and is a pretty big deal.
Do you:
A. Learn the songs note for note
B. Make it close enough
This is not a cover band. This band tours and has the potential for being big. So what's it gonna be and why?
When there's cold hard cash on the line you do as you're told and laugh all the way to the bank.