What are your ‘Pro tips’?

BobC said:
Right. Always make nice with the soundman. He can make you sound great, or make you sound lousy, depending on your attitude!
Click to expand...
I have a buddy who's brother ran Front of House sound for a local venue. He had a mysterious red button on his mixing board next to the row of sliders. I asked him what that was & he said, "Oh, that's the 'sucks button'. When the band is giving me attitude & are general assholes during the show, I hit hit that & it levels out all the sliders. Thus making them suck".

From then on, I knew the sound guy was to be my friend at every live show! 😁
 
Last edited:
Stroman said:
Don't hit on the singer's wife.

Equally as important - don't do it if she hits on you!
Click to expand...
You know, I posted this for the two-pointer, but it's somewhat based on a true story!

Years ago when I lived in Baltimore, our band played on a multi-band bill in DC. Afterwards we went to a party at the home of members from a band that was from DC, a husband and wife. Wife was the singer.

Anyway, I had a bit to drink and found myself sitting very close to the wife on the sofa, just laughing and talking. She got up to get us another drink, and my bandmate read me the riot act, saying I was gonna get us kicked out or worse. Being a very friendly but relatively innocent drunk, I was oblivious. I asked why we would get kicked out, lol. He let me know she was hitting on me and trying to get me in bed, and I remember saying "Noooooo!?! She's just really nice!"

Luckily he got me out of there before any trouble ensued.

Still a funny memory. I really had no idea she was hitting on me, but in retrospect I understand why she wanted to show me the paintings in her bedroom. 😉
 
Last edited:
Stickman said:
Just for fun.. if you had to give a ‘pro tip’ to another drummer… what would it be? One point for a real tip or 2 points if you get a laff!

Here’s one I use once in a while:
One of the benefits of using shiny, clear tom heads - when you are on stage and want to make sure you don’t look like an idiot.. lean forward and look in your tom to check your hair!
Click to expand...
I thought that's what those reflector dot heads were for. When I had hair.
 
If it's a bar scenario, treat the bartenders, waitresses and doormen nicely. Try and get the bartenders names and mention them from the stage a few times over the night, reminding folks to "take care of Susie and Jennie behind the bar, they're working hard to take care of you", and such. Thank the venue and the crew on your social media for them having you play there, after the show.

Drumming wise, don't grip too tight. (That's gonna be my go-to, all the time now, after messing up my arm from doing so, heh heh.)
 
Cmdr. Ross said:
I have a buddy who's brother ran Front of House sound for a local venue. He had a mysterious red button on his mixing board next to the row of sliders. I asked him what that was & he said, "Oh, that's the 'sucks button'. When the band is giving me attitude & are general assholes during the show, I hit hit that & it levels out all the sliders. Thus making them suck".

From then on, I knew the sound guy was to be my friend at every live show! 😁
Click to expand...
I have not laughed this hard, outload, in a month. ROFL!!!!!!
 
Cmdr. Ross said:
I have a buddy who's brother ran Front of House sound for a local venue. He had a mysterious red button on his mixing board next to the row of sliders. I asked him what that was & he said, "Oh, that's the 'sucks button'. When the band is giving me attitude & are general assholes during the show, I hit hit that & it levels out all the sliders. Thus making them suck".

From then on, I knew the sound guy was to be my friend at every live show! 😁
Click to expand...
Sound guy sounds like a complete Assss hole. Regardless of what ever dude. Do your job properly. That's what you paid to do.
 
I-P said:
Sound guy sounds like a complete Assss hole. Regardless of what ever dude. Do your job properly. That's what you paid to do.
Click to expand...
Oh, he did that for sure...Until the band pissed him off. A-hole or not, I'm not going to stand idly by as someone talks smack to me without doing something about it.
Be nice to your sound guy is all I'm saying.
 
Last edited:
Cmdr. Ross said:
Oh, he did that for sure...Until the band pissed him off. A-hole or not, I'm going to stand idly by as someone talks smack to me without doing something about it.
Be nice to your sound guy is all I'm saying.
Click to expand...
What I said also applies to the band. " Do your job properly". 😉
 
In the US Army (where I served for 30 years) they always said you only had to do three things to be successful: Show up at the right time, the right place and the right uniform. It's a long-running joke, but there's some truth in it.

My advice:
- Always arrive early.
- Bring lots of extra stuff.
- Be nice to everyone.

You don't even have to be a good drummer, but if you simply take my advice, you'll be a highly sought-after drummer on any local scene.
 
1 Turn up on time and at the right location (sometimes that means not too early).
2 Bring the right gear (whether that’s a whole kit and spares or just a stick bag).
3 Know the set/material inside out or come with enough technique and responsive attitude
4 Be able to deal with and adapt to others not delivering 1-3
5 Sort out financials out before hand (trying to navigate business and art at the same time is usually a problem for all.
6 If in doubt leave it out, (be inside the music)
7 Delivering time with the right feel is most of the playing job
8 Network, communicate to all
9 Never ever slag off another bands music or playing
 
spleeeeen said:
Find ways to be continually curious about and fascinated by your instrument and music in general.
Click to expand...
It's funny I was thinking about that the other day.. do drummers reach a level of expertise and think 'I've made it.. I don't need to go any further - I'll just play out my career with my current skillset'? Or.. even if you are at the top of your game - is it an endless learning experience that never ends?

My guess is the latter (which is also my mantra) - it never ends. I bet Steve Gadd is still trying to find the next new thing - whatever that is!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top