It's definitely easier to follow a higher click resolution for medium and low tempo songs. It's also easier to follow a drum pattern, since it feels like playing with another drummer.Bermuda might tell you to set the metronome for 8th notes
Thanks for the advice and i think your right about the mind set shift.It's definitely easier to follow a higher click resolution for medium and low tempo songs. It's also easier to follow a drum pattern, since it feels like playing with another drummer.
But the most important part of playing with a click is to be able to hear it! A musical mix is nice, but when it comes to playing with a click, it should be perhaps the loudest thing in the drummer's mix. That doesn't mean the mix becomes louder, it means lowering/eliminating any sounds that might clutter the mix and your ability to clearly hear the click.
When a click is introduced into a performance (or recording), the drummer's role changes. It's no longer so much about playing with the band, as it is about playing with the click. It's a bit of a perspective shift, and it's important that drummers grasp that in order to remain viable for most popular music.
In concert, about 2/3 of our show is on a click and linked to video and pre-recorded audio parts, and any 'movement' on my part would be obvious and disruptive. Because I have a very specific click-heavy mix - probably unlistenable to anyone else - I can stick with it like glue. I've never, ever lost the click, and occasional inevitable straying/flamming is within 1/16 note and audible only to me. I'm not some amazing timekeeper, I'm just saying that I treat the click as the most important element of the songs in question, and that allows me to stay on it without fail.
I think adjusting the level to give the click the focus maybe a good place to start tackling the issue and as Bermuda said a change of mind set.Can you hear the click without struggling? Bermuda might tell you to set the metronome for 8th notes
100%But the most important part of playing with a click is to be able to hear it! A musical mix is nice, but when it comes to playing with a click, it should be perhaps the loudest thing in the drummer's mix. That doesn't mean the mix becomes louder, it means lowering/eliminating any sounds that might clutter the mix and your ability to clearly hear the click.
When a click is introduced into a performance (or recording), the drummer's role changes. It's no longer so much about playing with the band, as it is about playing with the click. It's a bit of a perspective shift, and it's important that drummers grasp that in order to remain viable for most popular music.
So we have started using a metronome for gigs and playing live. Wow it is so different than using the metronome for practice or recordings etc. Anyone have any killer tips they care to share as last gig was a struggle. Thanks in advance
This is where a lot of bands go wrong: giving everyone the click. Players can't serve two 'drummers'. If the drummer strays a bit from the click, the other players will go with one or the other, and the push/pull factor becomes very evident.Is the whole band hearing the click, or just you?
Then what? Do you speed up over the next bar, two bars, to get back? Or do you pretend you're Benny Greb with the click now on the 'e' of every beat? Or is there a kill switch for the click and the associated electronic track it's being used for?Only the drummer will know for sure if there's any straying.
Then what? Do you speed up over the next bar, two bars, to get back? Or do you pretend you're Benny Greb with the click now on the 'e' of every beat?
Or is there a kill switch for the click and the associated electronic track it's being used for?
good point !This is where a lot of bands go wrong: giving everyone the click. Players can't serve two 'drummers'. If the drummer strays a bit from the click, the other players will go with one or the other, and the push/pull factor becomes very evident.
But if the players only have to listen to the drummer, they will effortlessly go as a group with whatever flow there might be. Only the drummer will know for sure if there's any straying.
I am the only one hearing the click and it is for the entire song. The click swithes via foot pedal linked to an ipad displaying lyrics /chords for the singer/guitarist. So he is responsible for changing as the song ends. I think changing the mix will be the best place to start.Is the whole band hearing the click, or just you? Do you use it for entire songs, or just to start off? Who is responsible for starting/stopping it?
I’ve played with clicks in a variety of bands and settings. Sometimes with tracks, sometimes without.
The click ends a lot of arguments. But it opens up a whole other set of issues, too.
I am the only one hearing the click and it is for the entire song. The click swithes via foot pedal linked to an ipad displaying lyrics /chords for the singer/guitarist. So he is responsible for changing as the song ends. I think changing the mix will be the best place to start.