What do you use for music . .

PetesPonies

Junior Member
when practicing. Do you use normal recording and EQ out the percussion as much as you can? Or get music sans percussion??
 
I just practice over the records without altering anything, playing my way, and occasionally coping the drummer´s licks if they are interesting to master (Tony Williams, Jeff Watts, etc.).

Example, here I´m playing over the record but not playing anything the drummer is playing:

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22n8vGjuiGI
 
when practicing. Do you use normal recording and EQ out the percussion as much as you can? Or get music sans percussion??

Normal recording. If you limit yourself to "w/o percussion", you are severely limiting the amount of music you can practice to. Besides, it's good to hear what the original drummer played, that's how you get internalize ideas you may be able to use in other situations. Learning when to do that is a whole life lesson in itself ;)
 
If I’m practicing covers for a band, then I play along to the actual recording. But for adding pleasure to a more focused practice session, I play along to the Tommy Igoe Groove Essentials material.
 
Youtube has tons of drumless material, enough that I won't be running out any time soon.

Often I find that playing to stuff that already has drums can be misleading as to how you're actually doing. Recording and listening back will show you where this might happen.
 
Anything and everything, really. I play along with the radio, drum machines, the TV, Youtube videos, motorcycles going down the street, birds singing, anything really.
 
Normal recording. If you limit yourself to "w/o percussion", you are severely limiting the amount of music you can practice to. Besides, it's good to hear what the original drummer played, that's how you get internalize ideas you may be able to use in other situations. Learning when to do that is a whole life lesson in itself ;)

I've always admired Eddie Money's drummer for some of the really interesting song beginning fills he laid down. they always seemed to be non-obvious obvious stuff.


Mike

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As others I don't realy mess around with it.

It all comes down to what makes you wanna practice, though.

If it was all about efficient practice then listening and transcribing paired with playing alone or to various types of click would do the job.

In addition, understanding and getting the feel down is best done along to the drummer on the record.
 
when practicing. Do you use normal recording and EQ out the percussion as much as you can? Or get music sans percussion??

While I realize I might be a bit odd in this regard....

I simply record guitar/bass/keys to a click and practice drums over top of the scratch tracks.

I understand that not everyone can do this.
To the same extent that.....
Not everyone understands that they can do this.
 
The music I play is original or "radio covers" so I don't have nor use any written music for these purposes. When I'm practicing at home I use my phone and head phones to play either the track I'm learning/writing parts for or for my "self discovery" time I have a constantly growing YouTube playlist of drumless backing tracks in a slew of different styles.
 
Interesting answers guys. When I played out ( typical bat band ) I listened and played to a recorded track or with my band. Now, not playing out, just playing for myself, so had some different thoughts.
 
I would really like to slightly expand my home practice set up as I recently purchased my first home and have an official drum room. If I could simply add a small keyboard or bass amp I could play more naturally as headphones feel restrictive. Maybe a small PA? Wait, no... That's when the guitarists start showing up lol.
 
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Small Behringer mixer and a powered speaker and you're in business.

Good point, I'm not sure of the brand off hand (though I'm sure this is a common item) but when my band rehearses we have a proper 10 channel PA head w/ 2 powered speakers on stands. Well those speakers also can be used own their own as they have power wires and a single channel with both xlr and 1/4" inputs, volume control, and basic eq (hi, mid, low). The speaker itself is about the size of a 14x14 drum and would nestle perfectly in the corner I keep my drums in. I am very fortunate to live in a suburban neighborhood that has a few drummers and neighbors who could care less how much noise I make inside my house.
 
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My wife much prefers to hear the music along with the drums instead of just drums. So I bought 2 Mackie thump 15’s, and the Sabian three mic setup. That way I can have the music in balance for her( through 2 closed doors) and hear both music and drums through headphones at a level that preserves what’s left of my hearing.

She never complains about how much I drum. And as they say- “happy wife, happy life”?
 
What does the Sabian give you . . . a stereo output to run to an amp?
 
It’s stereo output, but I run each side to a powered PA enclosure.

OK, so it's just your drumming coming through the speakers? I thought you had the music there as well, which Is why I thought it went to an amp or mixer.
 
YouTube and CD's via wireless Bluetooth headset. Learning a new piece for our band I Google and listen to YouTube. I don't care if there's a drummer playing - I prefer it. Teaches me the groove.
 
I just practice over the records without altering anything, playing my way, and occasionally coping the drummer´s licks if they are interesting to master (Tony Williams, Jeff Watts, etc.).

Example, here I´m playing over the record but not playing anything the drummer is playing:

^^ This ^^

Although I don't use records, I use my phone. LOL. ;)

But seriously, I use headphones and plug them into my phone and just youtube whatever I like. It's nice, as the headphones "mute" my drums a little, and I can adjust the music volume to taste. Sometimes I'll also split signal into my 2 15"s and crank my play along music for all to hear (while still wearing the Headphones). ;)


T.
 
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